Condescending Kirby? Education minister takes jab at former NDP colleagues

Education Minister Dale Kirby added an extra layer of attitudeto his answers Thursday while fielding questions from the NDP, suggesting the infighting that crippled the New Democrats two years ago is far from forgotten.

• Dale Kirby and Christopher Mitchelmore join Liberals

Kirby's taunt about the small size of the NDP caucusand repeated criticism of the party's position on an education issue was one of few lapses in civility during the opening week of the first session of the 48thgeneral assembly of the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature.

"Mr. Speaker, I thank the whip of the two-person NDP caucus for the question," Kirby replied when asked by St. John's Centre NDP MHA Gerry Rogers a question about school board elections, and the future of Holy Cross Junior High.

Rogers and NDP House Leader Lorraine Michael reacted angrily to the barb, and could be heard saying "cheap" and "no class."

Kirby's comment was an obvious jab at the NDP, which won just two seats in the Nov. 30 provincial election, and which has never fully recovered following an internal revolt in late 2013 that saw Kirby and fellow MHA Christopher Mitchelmore abandon the party.

The feud fractured the party just two years after an electoral breakthrough in the 2011 campaign, which saw the NDP win five seats.

Kirby and Mitchelmorelater joined the surging Liberals, won re-election last fall, and both now hold cabinet positions in the new government.

Questions about elected school board, proposed school closure

The exchange occurred duringthe first legislativetest of the new Liberalgovernment under Premier Dwight Ball, during which question periods were dominated by issues such as finances, surgical delays and proposed legislation to remove patronage from government appointments.

Rogers used her limited time in question period to probeKirby about a proposal to close Holy Cross Junior High in St. John's.

She is arguing that any school closuredecisions should be deferred because the current English School District board of directors is comprised of unelected members.

She prefaced her question by saying Kirby was an outspoken critic of the un-elected board during his time in Opposition.

Kirby shot back with this.

"I'm delighted today to see now the NDP, after three years, has finally come around to our way of thinking. I'm really delighted that you're joined up with us now in agreeing that we need to have a school board election."

The English School Board was created in 2013 after the former PC government merged four boards into one provincial entity.

The PCs appointed a 14-member board, and promised an election within one year. That never materialized, and Kirby was one of those critical of the delay during his time as education critic for the Liberals.

Rogers said the current board "has no moral authority" to close schools, and again called upon Kirby to hold elections.

She drew this response from Kirby.

"I'm not sure if it's so they can make a bit of political hay aboutit at the expenseof parents and students in the member's constituency, but I'm glad they've come around to our way of thinking on this."

Rogers says former colleague playing 'foolish game'

Kirby said the government will hold an election within a year of taking office, as was promised during the campaign.

"We're going to have a school board election. We're just going to do it the right way and we're not going to rush it," he said.

He did not address Rogers' question about school closures.

When reached Friday, Rogers said she was posing the questions on behalf of the parents and guardians of students at Holy Cross.

Shecalled Kirby's responses "irresponsible" and a "foolish game."

"The minister decided to just flip it off, deriding me, deriding the NDP caucus, rather than answering the question," she said.

Asked if Kirby's attitude was a spillover of the 2013 feud, Rogers said her approach is to treat members of the House of Assembly with respect, and "I would assume and expect the same in return."

CBC News requested an interview Friday morning with Kirby, but has not yet received a response.