N.B. Liberals question government plan

New Brunswick Liberal Leader Victor Boudreau is questioning a plan by the government to give other political parties a greater role at the legislature.

Boudreau pointed out only Progressive Conservatives and Liberals were elected in September, and allowing non-elected people from other parties to sit on legislative committees would undermine the Official Opposition.

"The legislature and its rules may not be perfect, but they've served this province well for many many years," he said Thursday.

"Let's not tear up the playbook, and show some respect for the electoral system New Brunswickers believed they were operating under."

Deputy Premier Paul Robichaud said other parties could take part in legislative committees without diminishing the Liberals' role.

"We do respect the fact that they've been elected and they have a role to play in this institution called the Legislative Assembly," he said. "But there's other places where political parties who have not been able to elect MLAs could play a role."

Boudreau offered to work co-operatively with the government on getting the debt and deficit under control — if the government offers real solutions to the fiscal problems facing it.

But he said the Tories did not offer any specifics in the throne speech on how they'll tackle the province's deficit.