Alberta NDP serves notice closure may be used to limit debate on Bill 6
Michelle Bellefontaine | CBC News | Posted: December 9, 2015 1:00 AM | Last Updated: December 9, 2015
Government House Leader Brian Mason accuses opposition of filibustering
The NDP government has introduced three motions to invoke closure on Bill 6, its controversial proposed farm safety legislation.
While the government hasn't acted on them yet, the motions introduced Tuesday by government House Leader Brian Mason will limit debate to one more hour each in second reading, committee of the whole and the final third reading.
"We're not moving those motions at this time," Mason said after introducing the motions.
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"We'll allow the debate to go on. But it gives us the option when we feel that there's just deliberate attempts to frustrate the will of the majority and to frustrate the progress of the assembly."
Mason said the Wildrose party is filibustering the bill during debate in second reading and it is slowing down government business. He said the opposition could use a number of tactics to delay the bill until January.
MLAs debated the bill until 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Mason wouldn't say when he plans to act on his motions.
"We'll use our best judgement on that," he said. "We may have to come back next week."
Wildrose House Leader Nathan Cooper said the government could pass the bill by Thursday if it wants, but that's not what farmers and ranchers want.
Cooper denied the Wildrose is trying to delay government business.
"There are still members of the Wildrose Official opposition who haven't even spoken once in second reading," Cooper said.
The fall session was originally scheduled to end last Thursday.
Following a series of public rallies against the bill, amendments were tabled Monday as the NDP government tried to quell a growing backlash in rural communities.
The changes exempt family members from WCB and occupational health and safety rules, whether they are paid for farm work or not. Neighbours who come to the farm to help are also exempt.
'Goons' and 'gangsters'
The bill provoked some intense emotions on both sides of the house on Tuesday afternoon.
An exasperated Speaker Bob Wanner lectured MLAs about the noise in the legislature.
And Mason apologized after calling Wildrose MLA "goons" and "gangsters" for shouting down ministers in question period.
Mason expressed regret for the remarks but said he wants the Wildrose to behave.
"There's a concerted effort to harass and hassle government members to force them to shout in order to be heard," he said. "We think the public has a right to hear our answers, not just the questions.
"I'm not happy I lost my temper but the situation in that chamber with this particular opposition is unlike any I've seen before."
Cooper called Mason's language unparliamentary but acknowledged the Wildrose also has a role to play in ensuring members can be heard.