Liberals playing fair, says premier
As opposition MLAs use parliamentary tactics at their disposal to delay the government from passing its final four pieces of legislation, Premier Stephen McNeil said any suggestion his government isnt open to reasonable amendments is false.
The premier pointed to an NDP amendment on Bill 1, accepted by the Liberals, that requires community health board meetings be open to the public. The Liberals also recently passed a piece of legislation from Independent MLA Chuck Porter a rare step by any government, said McNeil that expands the class of veterans who get preference for civil service appointments.
Opposition party leaders dont believe the government is being as co-operative as McNeil suggests, however.
NDP amendments that would expand post-traumatic stress-related workers compensation benefits for first responders and ban flavoured tobacco, and Tory amendments that would require supervisory drivers be sober and awake, among several others, have been defeated during this sitting.
Quite frankly, the premier is being unreasonable when we are actually helping make better laws, said Tory Leader Jamie Baillie.
Behind every opposition amendment is a group of real people with real issues, Baillie said.
Acting NDP leader Maureen MacDonald said it seems like the government is closed to good ideas from the opposition. She said her caucus would continue bringing forward amendments because thats part of what we do in opposition.
McNeil said his government would continue to consider reasonable amendments. His ministers have, in most cases, been receptive to the proposed amendments, but research has to happen first to make sure they can actually work, said McNeil.
(The opposition parties) have been in government recently (enough) to know you need to look at whether or not you can afford the amendment youre bringing forward (for example).
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Liberals playing fair, says premier