The Official Opposition is considering taking legal action regarding the House of Assembly Management Commission’s decision to deny the Opposition caucus increased funding, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.

“Commission members have a duty pursuant to the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act to act honestly and in good faith when deliberating Commission business. They also have a statutory duty to base their decisions on adequate information,” said Jones. “We have reason to believe that the government members, as well as the Chairperson, breached these statutory duties.

“The government members questioned the logic underlying the independent consulting firm’s recommendation that the Opposition receive an additional $162,000 for research and policy staffing resources. When later offered opportunity to pose their questions directly to the consulting firm, the government members declined and held to their votes against the recommendation. The Chairperson likewise declined the opportunity to pose clarifying questions and voted against the increased funding. 

“The government members and the Chairperson had previously committed to the process of hiring an independent consultant for the purpose of obtaining recommendations regarding staffing resources. To decline to seek clarification of these recommendations at this late date was to abandon that process and to take up partisanship once again.”  

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