P.E.I. Opposition leader has lots to say on throne speech
After talking for more than four hours, Steven Myers still isn't finished
Possible dates for P.E.I.'s finance minister to deliver his spring budget are being pushed back because Opposition Leader Steven Myers has a lot to say in response to last week's speech from the throne.
All MLAs who want to respond to the throne speech must be given an opportunity to do so before the budget can be tabled, and there's no limit on how long they can speak.
As opposition leader, Myers' turn first came up on the evening of Thursday June 4, the day after the throne speech. He spoke for almost an hour that night, running until the end of proceedings. When debate resumed Tuesday, he spoke for more than an hour-and-a-half, again running out the clock. He did the same thing when debate resumed again Wednesday.
It total Myers has spoken for more than four hours. But he said what he's doing does not constitute a filibuster.
"I'm doing my job as a member of the opposition holding government accountable," he said. "I have the opportunity, as does every other member to respond to this speech from the throne. I've talked about my district, I've talked about some of the great things going on in the communities in my district. I've talked about some of the Liberal platform, I've talked about the speech from the throne...."
By comparison, according to House records, Myers spoke for 20 minutes or less in response to the throne speech delivered in November 2014, 24 minutes in response to the speech delivered in November 2013.
Government had said it hoped to table its spring budget by the end of the week, but Finance Minister Allen Roach now says he may not be entirely prepared to do so.
"I've seen the leader of the opposition over the last four years speak at length on different motions that are on the floor," Roach said regarding the length of Myers' response. "We live in a democracy, and what's taking place in there now is very democratic."
Opposition House Leader James Aylward said by extending debate on the throne speech, Myers will cause the House to sit longer before breaking for the summer. And that will provide more opportunities for the opposition to ask questions during question period.
The opposition PCs say the other seven members of its caucus are waiting for a chance to speak after Myers has concluded his remarks. Other government members are also waiting to respond to the throne speech, including the finance minister.
It's possible the extra debate could push this sitting of the House into July.