Deficit-wary Liberals boycott dinner party

A Liberal boycott has forced the abrupt cancellation of a lavish evening of dinner and music for Nova Scotia MLAs.

Stephen McNeil, leader of the Official Opposition, said his caucus decided not to attend the Speaker's dinner on Wednesday to make a point about the province's dismal finances.

"There's no reason that we can't get together," said McNeil. "It just doesn't need to be on the taxpayers' dime."

The NDP government is forecasting a deficit of $592 million for 2009-10, partly because $341 million in university funding will be paid out this fiscal year. The NDP said revenue is down $125 million since May 4.

The province's net debt is now projected at $13.5 billion, up from $12.3 billion.

The 11 Liberal MLAs said the $35 they were being asked to pay for a pork and salmon dinner, open bar and live music wasn't enough to cover the bill for the night.

"It's just inappropriate, in my view, that we as members of the house would be having a dinner that the full cost of … is not covered," McNeil said.

Speaker Charlie Parker said this is the first time he's heard such a complaint and he's disappointed to postpone what is usually an all-party gathering.

"The Speaker's dinner has been traditional. We've had it for a good number of years, number of decades I believe. And you know we had the speakers lined up. We had some entertainment. We had the caterer set to go," said Parker.

He suggested the Liberals are angry over cuts to MLA benefits and not just concerned about spending on a dinner.

"Changes to the members' allowances [and] other constituency expenses, and I think this is just one way to express that dissatisfaction," he said.

Parker said the Progressive Conservatives have also declined his invitation to dinner.

PC Leader Karen Casey said she and her seven caucus colleagues will meet Tuesday to discuss whether they want to make their position public.

There are 52 seats in the Nova Scotia legislature. Two are vacant.