Photo by Vince Fedoroff
POST-ELECTION CONFIGURATION – MLAs stand May 11 as Commissioner Angélique Bernard (foreground) enters the legislature to read the Speech from the Throne. The governing Liberals are on the left, with the Yukon Party and New Democrats on the right. The short 11-day sitting was a subject of discussion on Monday.
The short length of the current special sitting of the legislature isn’t making the Yukon Party very happy – and it appears it might not be alone.
The short length of the current special sitting of the legislature isn’t making the Yukon Party very happy – and it appears it might not be alone.
On Monday, the official Opposition party tried futilely to have the length extended to 30 days.
The house reconvened May 11, and it’s currently slated to run for 11 days. Several of those have already been used up on the Throne Speech, introducing a revised $1.8-billion budget and setting committees.
Seven days are now left in the session, one of which will be devoted to opposition private members’ bills.
Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon has been particularly stuck on the issue. His position has been there isn’t nearly enough time allotted for the debate on the budget.
According to a news release issued Monday by the Yukon Party, “the Liberal-NDP coalition used their combined majority to limit the sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly to a mere 11 days. The 11 days was agreed to behind closed doors with no discussion with the Yukon Party official Opposition.
“Usually, all three parties meet to discuss the length of the sitting,” the release stated.
“With four days already in the books, this means MLAs will have only seven days to debate a $1.8-billion budget, which is the largest in the territory’s history. There is also measures that are part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement that need to be discussed.”
(That’s the name of the formal accord the Liberals and NDP reached late last month to keep the Liberals in power.)
With one Wednesday set aside for opposition business, that leaves just six days for budget debate, the Yukon Party pointed out.
“Even the former clerk of the legislative assembly has weighed in to say that this move by the Liberals and NDP should not have gone forward,” the party noted.
A string of Tweets by retired clerk Floyd McCormick suggests the length of this special sitting is not violating any rules. However, it would still be better if the imposition of the 11 days for work was lifted in favour of a more extensive debate on the budget, he believes.
In the thread, McCormick said that since 2003, there has never been such an arbitrary “guillotine” cutoff deadline for budget debate and deliberations.
“The 35th Legislative Assembly can improve this situation,” McCormick wrote.
“The MLAs aren’t bound by the strategies, tactics and procedures of the past. Thoroughly scrutinizing this year’s main appropriations – for the first time in almost two decades – would be a good place to start.”
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Comments (22)
Up 8 Down 2
John on May 23, 2021 at 1:31 pm
@ Observer
Well you might "think" (a dangerous word for a Lieberal) that two of the MLA's in the Opposition are doing nothing it is a far cry compared to the 8 Lieberals who are perpetrating the ultimate "con" in doing zip. That is because they take their collective marching orders from Premier White.
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Observer on May 23, 2021 at 10:31 am
Don't understand why the cons are complaining? They already got two MLA's that are doing nothing.
Up 0 Down 0
Date Please on May 21, 2021 at 11:55 pm
It would be nice if the article mentioned the actual end date for this spring legislative session. Am I missing something? According to the Legislative Assembly webpage, the last day would be May 31. Please correct if I got this wrong.
Up 7 Down 9
Josey Wales on May 21, 2021 at 7:35 am
Hey politico....math, ya wanna talk math?
Common core, do know anything about it?
Pretend ewe don’t, I expect it.
Comes right outta the skull of progressive SJW think, or Liberal/Flaming lefty think...
Back at ya in these polarized jousting matches...
What is it with so many liberals and SJW’s having the cognitive skills and emotional stability of a 3 year old child that eats pure sugar?
I mean where do they get their thoughts, like any university or public school...cesspools of communists and like LEGO factories for liberals.
Churn them out like crazy and they hurt when in the dark traversing the real word...you step on one just “laying around” awaiting someone else to put it all together.
Up 11 Down 9
Al on May 20, 2021 at 4:54 pm
@Politico
You know damn well what Drum was referring to. Stop being a jerk. Of the three parties the YP took the most votes. You really are thick and your comment only serves to make you look stupid.
Up 13 Down 18
Politico on May 20, 2021 at 4:19 pm
@drum What is it with Conservatives lying all the time. The YP did not get the majority of votes in the election! They got 7,477 votes, 11,498 voted against them. That is not a majority. Where did you learn your math, Trump University?
https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/elections/yukon/2021/results/
Up 12 Down 16
hurr on May 20, 2021 at 2:38 pm
@Yukoner2
Conservatives prefer leaders with real world experience like Andrew Sheer who was a (fake) Insurance salesman and undercover American citizen. Or maybe some corporate credentials like Stephen Harper who worked in the mail room.
You know, salt of the earth kinda folks. Boot straps y'all!
Up 11 Down 5
Groucho d'North on May 20, 2021 at 11:06 am
@Bingo
I understand what you are trying to say, but I would say the mechanisms of democracy are still in place but they are being manipulated from a totaltarian control point where governments think they have ultimate control over the public and can do whatever they want based on their ideology and desired outcomes. There are plenty of examples of their headstrong errors, like the Procurement policy, carbon taxes and all the do's and dont's surrounding the COVID response. The real scary thing is - as you point out - there are rank amateurs driving the boat believing they have the smarts to make the best decisions that we citizens ultimately pay for...and not just in monetary terms. We need to find a method of putting the electorate in control over what the elected types are permitted to do.
Up 11 Down 13
Yukoner2 on May 19, 2021 at 8:33 pm
It's funny and sad how you have drank the conservative koolaid Mr. BonanzaJoe. You are parroting the conservative narrative that Trudeau was just a Drama teacher because people like yourself think it sounds more laughable and pathetic. It's no secret that conservatives have a special disdain for arts and the arts community.
The truth about Trudeau however is that he mostly taught Math and French. Sorry if that doesn't fit your silly narrative.
Up 12 Down 11
drum on May 19, 2021 at 7:15 pm
The Conservatives got the majority of votes but because of our antiquated voting system in Canada you can get the majority vote but still lose.
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bonanzajoe on May 19, 2021 at 5:11 pm
Patti Eyre, what was so disrespectful of Bingo's comment. I too am a veteran who served several years outside of Canada, and totally agree with him. I do appreciate what your Grandfather did for Canada, but you don't seem to get it, freedom and democracy in Canada was paid in blood of patriots like your Grandfather. Now, if you were a vet, I would have more respect for you. But then, you probably wouldn't have made that criticism of Bingo.
Up 23 Down 7
Hm... on May 19, 2021 at 2:13 pm
Thanks Josey for introducing Patti to common sense. Albeit it will fall upon deaf ears.
I too think the parallel drawn by Bingo is accurate.
While you may think you and your brethren know all there is to know - what you do not know is that some of the folks who make comments here on the Star are veterans. Vets in the true sense of the word. I served my country, and have the scars to prove my service. It is you Patti who is disrespectful - especially to your own kin.
What we are seeing is an erosion to our democratic principles. This particular incident of course is not the crime of the century for sure. However every time you chisel at the edges that is to the determinant of our democracy. Of course you can be the preferable ostrich with your head in the sand, and pooh-ha what others think and say about how precious freedom and democratic values truly are. Just remember it is our collective ancestors who gave you and everyone else that right.
Don't ever dare to think that those that paid the ultimate price of death or injury, mentally and/or physically, would stand by and applaud what is happening in this country these days.
If you can not fathom any of this then you need to sit back really reflect what a privilege has been bestowed upon you.
Up 13 Down 9
Josey Wales on May 19, 2021 at 12:58 pm
Gee...sanctimonious Patti is put off with a very valid parallel illustrated?
Actually Patti it is folks as ewe that are not only willfully ignorant but troll like in your absolute pride in being a flaming lefty contrarian.
...is disrespectful of your grandfather and all as he that paid the ultimate price.
Folks as ewe made excuses for cattle cars and the smoke stacks.
Frankly I think if your grandfather knew of the role you rejoice in here, he would slap you silly.
Yes, another freely expressed opinion on current events Vs past.
Dig into the archives Patti and see the consistent pattern of respect I have for the greatest generation.
Last offensive jab...I suggest lest you forgot, despite your sanctimony.
I thank your grandfather for his service and sacrifice, as I can multitask.
Up 15 Down 29
Pikachu on May 18, 2021 at 10:24 pm
@Bingo
Oh quit with the drama "Many people died and lost loved ones". You make it sound like democracy is under threat just because our little legislature here in the Yukon is having a short session. Newsflash pal, there is ALWAYS a short session after an election! I think the Yukon Party had a session like 10 or 12 days long after their last election. Was the world ending when they did that? Or is it only upsetting to you when a party other than the conservatives do it?
Up 18 Down 11
Patti Eyre on May 18, 2021 at 9:16 pm
@Bingo my grandfather fought in WWII and died there too, your comments are a sham disrespecting his and every person involved in that effort, shame on you
Up 28 Down 11
Joe on May 18, 2021 at 8:19 pm
The coalition will not last. Too many egos in play. It's dirty politics, it's not what Yukoners wanted and it will implode because that's the will of the majority.
Up 15 Down 28
Witchy man on May 18, 2021 at 6:20 pm
I for one am really enjoying watching Cons and supporters frothing at the mouth every time they lose another election.
Up 27 Down 12
bonanzajoe on May 18, 2021 at 5:26 pm
Well, comrades, that's how communism works. Just ask Justin Trudeau - former drama teacher; roller board instructor, and now professor on the doctrines of Karl Marx.
Up 10 Down 19
BnR on May 18, 2021 at 5:16 pm
Bingo, don’t be ridiculous.
Democracy isn’t in jeopardy because the people you want in power aren’t.
Democracy is all about getting along with others towards a common good.
It’s about working with people who may not necessarily share the same belief as you do.
As Winston Churchill said; “‘Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…’
Up 25 Down 7
Sarah on May 18, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Pretty sure spring sittings are longer because the parties have to debate the budget. Not like the fall where if they went shorter it wouldn’t matter as much because they would be debating the supplementary and there isn’t as much money on the line. But this government has their NDP friends on board so they are taking democracy out of the mix and just shoving their budget through.
Pretty sure the Yukon Party has a very important role to play in the legislature, and are getting told FU by the liberals. I for one don’t think they should get to ram a big budget through without it getting questioned.
Up 70 Down 28
Bingo on May 18, 2021 at 3:49 pm
When the country’s head of state is a scammer et al... then what follows suit is exactly what we have here today...nothing to see here folks. Democracy was fought for, many people died and lost loved ones. From the feds to this current tandem of misfits, our democracy is being placed into disrepute.
Up 83 Down 15
Attachment Disorder on May 18, 2021 at 3:14 pm
With the Liberal and NDP alliance it is almost like the Yukon Conservatives do not have party status or something... Those people over there? I don’t know. They keep showing up and saying things we don’t want to hear so we don’t play with them - We have formed our own little club and they cannot play... We just don’t like them! Inclusion - No, no, that’s just a weapon we use to exclude those we do not like... And we do not like anyone who uses reason, logic, and anything that is not fun!