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