Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will use my statement today to air some frustrations; frustrations with our Executive Council and the behemoth of a bureaucracy that is our government. I find myself believing that even though we’re just over half way through our four-year term, I sense that our Executive Council, our leaders, those presumably taking charge and showing the way, that they’re placing less and less emphasis on working. I already see the downward slide or slowdown that I’m told sets in and immobilizes government in the last year of any Assembly’s life. This is certainly not my preferred course of action.
If this Assembly can manage to work hard, continue to pass legislation, develop new ideas and put plans in place right up to dissolution, then I would be one very happy MLA. But I already see us slowing down both mentally and physically. It may be a perception that only pertains to me, but perception is nine-tenths of the law and it should be heeded.
Why do I feel this way? Well, here are a few examples: There’s a distinct lack of visible progress from the Strategic Initiatives committees. What are they accomplishing? We’ve heard nothing from several of these committees for many months -- the Cost of Living Committee, the Managing this Land Committee, the Maximizing Opportunities Committee, the Building This Land Committee. I can’t remember when we last had an update on the work of these committees. The only one which seems to be productive is the Refocusing Government Committee.
A second indicator is the abnormally long list of outstanding requests for information from standing committees, the Economic Development and Infrastructure committee especially. There have been opportunities for Ministers to meet with Regular Members but the briefings have not been forthcoming. Is it because the Strategic Initiatives committees have no work to report? It seems that way to me. It may be due to a delay in reports coming from the department, but a Minister should at least advise Members of a known delay. All we want is to be kept informed. Believe it not, Mr. Speaker, some of us over here do keep track of due dates and monitor the progress, or lack of it, in regard to reports.
I’m dismayed at my lack of access to Ministers in the last several months. Ministers seem to have been out of the office more than in it. For weeks before and after the Christmas break one could almost roll a bowling ball down the Executive offices hallway without encountering any resistance. Perhaps I exaggerate, Mr. Speaker, but it’s a concern for me when I have to struggle to find a Minister and get their attention to discuss an issue of importance to my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
I hope these impressions of mine are overstated, but even if they are, the Executive Council must take note and do some soul searching. At this point in our term we all need to stop and check our pulse, make sure the heart is still active and beating strongly. Both sides of this House should be working full tilt for the next 20 months. There’s lots we can do if we keep our nose to the wheel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
