The territory’s two opposition parties have been invited to ask questions at proposed meetings on the 2020-21 territorial budget in the legislature, the Liberal cabinet said this morning.

The potential budget meetings have been scheduled for May 20, 21, 27, 28 and 29.

On March 19, after passing the budget, MLAs unanimously agreed to adjourn the legislature until Oct. 1.

Premier Silver committed to providing opposition parties with an opportunity to further scrutinize the budget, the cabinet said in a statement.

“This spring, MLAs unanimously agreed to expedite debate on the budget so that government departments have the tools they need to respond to the evolving needs of Yukoners during these challenging times,” said Liberal house leader Tracy-Anne McPhee.

“We are pleased to provide opposition parties an opportunity for further scrutiny of the budget as part of our commitment to openness, transparency and accountability.”

No provincial nor territorial legislative assemblies are in session as jurisdictions across the country work to contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health, the cabinet noted.

Budget meetings will be convened for each department, including those that were previously debated during the truncated spring sitting.

The hearings will follow the committee of the whole format, allowing opposition critics to ask further questions about government spending.

If all parties agree, the meetings will be broadcast live via the legislative assembly channels.

Recordings and transcripts of the hearings will also be made available to the public.

More details will be coming soon, the cabinet said.

The Yukon Party has been critical about what it sees as the Liberals’ lack of political accountability amid their millions of dollars in COVID-19-related program funding.

See letter the party submitted before this morning’s announcement.