PCs extend House hours using tactic they criticized previous governments for
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NDP MLA Claudia Chender dismissed the premier's suggestion that extended hours were for the benefit of opposition members.
"Basically we're being told by the premier that by sitting until midnight, he's giving us time to speak," said Chender. "Well, with all due respect, we could have that time when people are awake and paying attention."
She suggested Houston was simply following in McNeil's footsteps.
"Political expediency. It's the same reason that the McNeil Liberals did it and it's the reason why we need a sitting calendar like every other legislature has so that the way in which we conduct our business in this house is less subject to partisanship."
A year ago, Chender introduced a private member's bill that would set in law the days and hours when the House of Assembly must sit. That bill died when an election was called. The bill has since been reintroduced. Without support from the government, that proposed bill will not become law.”