House of Assembly Management Commission (HOAMC) Chair Roger Fitzgerald’s decision to vote along party lines and defeat a recommendation giving the Official Opposition additional staffing resources is disappointing and unfortunate in a democratic society, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.

Chair Fitzgerald joined the government members on the House of Assembly Management Commission (HOAMC) earlier today in voting against an independent consultant’s recommendation that the Official Opposition receive an additional $162,000 for research and policy staffing resources. The decision was made even though an additional $126,000 was approved for the Government Members caucus and the report was commissioned by him and paid for by the House of Assembly.

“The independent, non-partisan consultant made their recommendation because they recognized that the Official Opposition was under-funded and required more resources to do its job,” said Ms. Jones. “It is unfortunate that the people of the province and democracy will now suffer. Fewer Opposition staffing resources will mean a more selective opposition that will have to focus on fewer issues to research and present on behalf of the thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who contact our office annually.

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