NEWS RELEASE

                                                                                       Office of the Official Opposition

November 13, 2008
For Immediate Release

Government not forthcoming with House of Assembly dates or legislation

The Opposition continues to wait with frustration for government’s plans for the opening of the fall session of the House of Assembly and their expected legislative agenda, says Opposition House Leader Kelvin Parsons.

“Most legislatures across Canada are already open and debating legislation,” said Mr. Parsons. “There is a continuous trend developing in this province that our current government will wait until the absolute last minute to open the legislature and then rush towards closure in the shortest time possible. We know that the premier and his government do not enjoy the House of Assembly and the daily scrutiny the government receives, but the people of the province deserve their legislature opened and issues debated.”

Parsons also noted that the Official Opposition has been given no indication as to what legislation will be presented and no timelines to allow detailed and proper preparation for this debate. “Protocol dictates that we be provided reasonable opportunity to research and prepare legislative debate on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador . Not only has this government stifled a consultant’s recommendation to provide our office with more staffing resources, they are now refusing to give us sufficient notice to effectively prepare for these debates.

“These are the continued actions of a government that dislikes criticism and refuses to act in an open, transparent and accountable manner. I challenge the premier to provide us with a clear date as to when the House of Assembly will open and immediately give us some indication as to what legislation we will be asked to research, prepare and debate in the coming weeks on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

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Media Contact: 
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
Tel: (709) 729-6151 or (709) 687-0477