The provincial government plans on opening the House of Assembly this winter, but the NDP are urging government to open it now for a special debate on the premier’s plans for an independent review of the Churchill Falls MOU.
In January of this year, the previous administration opened the legislature for a four-day debate on the MOU, with all members being allowed to ask questions of those that helped craft and negotiate the documents.
Jim Dinn wants that same opportunity for members to debate what the new oversight panel will look like.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn (VOCM News)
Dinn says if government wants the review to be transparent, then no one party owns it and all members should have input. “Otherwise, we’re walking down the same path that we were going with the previous administration.”
A statement from the premier’s office doubles down on assertions that the independent review, including their terms of reference, will be launched before Christmas.
They say the goal is to have the work done “promptly,” but it must also be done “correctly” because it is “too important to rush.”
Government says they plan to open the House this winter, but do not say if that will occur before March 2 – the current opening date on the parliamentary calendar.
At that time, government says they plan to deliver a Speech from the Throne and budget that delivers on their campaign promises.
