The BC provincial government has cancelled the fall legislature session for the third time in five years, and Alberni-Pacific Rim NDP MLA Scott Fraser isn’t happy about it.
We can understand why.
The next provincial election is scheduled for May 9, 2017, and Fraser is accusing the government of cancelling the session as a diversionary tactic leading up to the election.
Christy Clark’s Liberal government also cancelled fall sessions in 2012 (also leading up to an election year) and 2013; in 2013 Clark said the fall session is optional. She was quoted by media at the time as saying government can be run one of two ways: by politicians closing themselves off in Victoria and imposing leglslation on people ‘without talking to them about it’ or spending time talking with citizens.
Opposition MLAs are on the ground talking with their constituents as well. And they deserve the opportunity to question government in the legislature on behalf of their constituents.
Cancelling the fall session takes that chance away from Opposition MLAs and the people they represent.
The provincial government owes it to all British Columbians to hold a fall legislative session.