Premier Tony Wakeham is defending the appointment of Lin Paddock as the minister responsible for the Immigration portfolio in light of controversial comments made while he ran in the byelection in Green Bay White Bay last year.

Some interpreted Lin Paddock’s comments regarding the recruitment of health care workers as problematic.

He suggested in a debate that the province recruit workers from certain countries over others. He was quoted as saying “Places like Germany where they adore the outdoors and not India and Pakistan where they come here and go to Toronto.”

Paddock apologized and in a statement to VOCM News at the time indicated that his comments were poorly worded.

Premier Tony Wakeham told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly that he considers the matter closed.

“That issue was dea

See Full Page