News Release
Office of the Official Opposition
 

Conservatives break another promise on first day of House

Using heavy handed approach to pass legislation quickly
March 21st, 2004

Opposition House Leader Kelvin Parsons says the conservative government has broken yet another election promise on the first day of regular business in the House of Assembly.

In the Blue Book (page 60) under the heading "Increasing the power of the people" the conservative party said they would;

Ask the Legislature to adopt family friendly election timetables and work schedules, so the Members can combine their work more easily with family and childcare responsibilities. This will involve workable time lines that ensure a proper balance between Members’ responsibilities to the Legislature, their constituents, and their families.

"It is highly unusual for the Government House Leader to open a session with a night session the way this government has given notice they will. I have checked several decades and it has not happened since then and I am not sure if it ever happened before that," said Mr. Parsons.

The Liberal MHA accused the Premier of saying one thing on the issue of respect for the House of Assembly in the Throne Speech but then immediately doing something completely opposite. "They are trying to say they are open and accountable yet they are late opening the House and then use heavy handed tactics such as trying to keep the House of Assembly open all night as a way of bullying the opposition. It really starts the session off on a bad note."

Media Contact:
Jeff Mackey
Caucus Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6427