Debates of February 3, 2006 (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has recently instituted a number of changes to its budget review process to improve public access, transparency and efficiency;

AND WHEREAS in recent years the sitting hours of the Legislative Assembly during the winter budget session are frequently extended;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is committed to remaining accessible and transparent to all residents;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that "designated budget days" be implemented on a provisional basis;

AND FURTHER that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each week be "designated budget days;"

AND FURTHER that the House shall commence sitting at 11:00 a.m. on "designated budget days;"

AND FURTHER that the time of adjournment on "designated budget days" shall be 6:00 p.m.;

AND FURTHER that notwithstanding Rule 34(6), the time allotted for Ministers' statements on "designated budget days" shall not exceed 10 minutes;

AND FURTHER that notwithstanding Rule 38(4), on "designated budget days," when a Minister answers an oral question, only two supplementary questions per Member directly related to the same subject may be asked;

AND FURTHER that notwithstanding Rule 27(2), the daily order of business in the Assembly on "designated budget days" be amended on a provisional basis to remove the items: replies to opening address, reports of standing and special committees, and motions;

AND FURTHER that notwithstanding Rule 4(1), the House shall not sit on Friday, February 17, 2006;

AND FURTHERMORE that the "designated budget days" provisional rules be effective Monday, February 6, 2006, until the prorogation of the Fourth Session.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Briefly, this is a motion that, of course, I moved it, I'm speaking very much in favour of it. It is consistent with initiatives and efforts that all Members agree would be desirable for the efficiency and the improvement of our business. But I think, Mr. Speaker, the biggest advantage that I see in giving these new rules a try is that it will make us more accessible to the general public through the media, through the provision of doing our business more during hours that are more accessible to the public.

I remember very much the hours spent in this Assembly, Mr. Speaker, after 6:00 p.m. when most people are doing other things with their family, the media's not here, the cameras are turned off, and yet we continue with our deliberations and our debates. We might get our business done, but I think the interests of the public in knowing, and listening, and hearing what we're doing is lost. This is an attempt to bring us more in line, and I hope make our business more engaging and more interesting for people to watch and listen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. To the motion.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed. The motion is carried.

---Carried