Finance Minister Siobhan Coady was grilled in the House of Assembly on Interim Supply and why the new bill being tabled in this session requires three months for debate and estimates on the budget due September 30.
Opposition Finance critic, Tony Wakeham raised the matter, with figures on the length of time taken to debate past budgets.
That prompted vigorous debate, accompanied by calls across the House.
Listen below:
Crosbie Raises Questions on Oil Industry
Uncertainty in the oil and gas sector dominated debate in the House of Assembly again today.
PC leader Ches Crosbie kicked off the session initiating a testy exchange with finance minister Siobhan Coady by asking whether the government is considering decommissioning offshore platforms.
Crosbie further asked whether a deal was in the works to keep work shut down in exchange for $500-million from the federal government.
Coady shot back calling Crosbie’s comments disingenuous, and energy minister Andrew Parsons, meanwhile, said he has no knowledge of any deal with the feds to keep work on hold in exchange for federal cash.
Joyce Raises Point of Privilege
The Independent member for Humber-Bay of Islands, Eddie Joyce, today raised another Point of Privilege in the House, alleging his rights were violated by the Commissioner of Legislative Standards.
Speaker Scott Reid indicated that he is taking the matter under advisement.
Joyce, who left the caucus following the House harassment scandal two years ago, is suing former premier Dwight Ball, former Speaker Perry Trimper, MHA Sherry Gambin-Walsh, and Commissioner of Legislative Standards Bruce Chaulk for defamation.
