Government must provide English version
of Regie decision before debate can take place
Government’s private members motion calling for
unanimous support of the province’s position and approach against the
decision brought forward by Quebec’s Regie de l’energie last week is
premature until all members of the House of Assembly are provided with a
translated version of the ruling, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.
Last week in the House of Assembly, Jones requested an
English copy of the 130 page legal decision. A request was sent again this
morning to the premier’s office requesting such a copy; however, according
to officials no version is yet available.
“Before having a debate on such a motion, every member
of the House of Assembly should be provided with the translated copy of the
decision,” said Ms. Jones. “While we can understand the basics of this
decision, we are certainly hesitant to debate a 130 page French legal
decision without having all of the information and facts in front of us. We
have asked for this document from the Premier but have not received the
translated version currently being used by Nalcor, its lawyers or
government.
“For
government members to bring forward this resolution and feel confident
enough to have an informed debate means they have either seen the translated
document or are willing to debate something they haven’t read. If they have
viewed the document, I question why government is unwilling to share that
information with the Opposition. If they haven’t read the document, it once
again shows their blind faith in the Premier, the same faith that resulted
in the bungled expropriation of the Abitibi mill in Grand Falls-Windsor.”
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Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
Tel: (709) 729-6151 or (709) 687-0477