The NDP says it is appalled by what they call government’s “hollow gestures of collaboration,” by inviting all MHAs to provide input on the upcoming budget.

Leader Alison Coffin stated she was surprised that after all of government’s talk of collaboration, this is the strategy they’ve come up with. Coffin indicates the only difference from last year is that they’re now using the word “collaboration.”

Coffin slams government, saying they should be embarrassed by such a fundamental lack of understanding about how meaningful collaboration actually occurs.

To the NDP, collaboration means working together to find solutions to problems affecting everyone in the province—and not just informing them of decisions that have already been made, shortly before the announcements are made to the general public.

Coffin says the behaviour of the Liberal government disrespects the will of the people.

The party leader suggests government make time to sit with them, show the challenges they are facing with developing the budget and how the NDP can help identify possible solutions.