RNC recruit training going to St. John's

Memorial University has approved a plan to train new Royal Newfoundland Constabulary recruits in St. John's rather than Corner Brook, a move that isn't pleasing some people in the west coast city.

Justice Minister Tom Marshall had asked the university and police force to consider putting the new training program at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook.

Michael Collins, the associate vice-president academic, says the university reviewed the request, but he cites a variety of reasons for basing the program at its main campus, including:

Collins says even if the government came up with the extra money, the decision to use St. John's would stand because of the other factors.

Overpass syndrome

Rod Lyver, a member of the Corner Brook economic development board, says the university's decision smacks of favouritism toward the capital.

"Once again that St. John's merchant attitude, that 'overpass' attitude, has kicked us in the arse here on the west coast," he fumes.

He says Corner Brook's two government members, Marshall and Premier Danny Williams, should have lobbied more to help Grenfell and Corner Brook.

CBC Radio's Gord Lannon reports on reaction in Corner Brook (runs 1:16).

Marshall refutes Lyver's argument. He says the university opted for using its main campus in St. John's after analysing Grenfell's capacity.

The justice minister says the college has a future in other programs such as environmental sciences, and he doesn't see the training decision as a setback for the college.

From March 29, 2004: Corner Brook considered for RNC training

The university will spend the next few months putting the program in place.

In its throne speech, the government announced Memorial will train 75 officers over the next three years.

In the past, recruits were trained at Holland College in Prince Edward Island.