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VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell today issued the following statement in response to Opposition Leader Carole James’ withdrawal of support for Bill 17:
“Bill 17 was initiated and developed by the Legislative Assembly Management Committee on behalf of all MLAs. It has been unanimously passed by all members of the Legislative Assembly from both parties, and is the product of both parties’ mutual agreement at every step. The content, process and anticipated public reaction to Bill 17 was debated at length by both the Official Opposition Caucus and the Government Caucus, and the bill would not have been introduced without the full support of both leaders and every one of their respective Caucus colleagues.
“The Leader of the Official Opposition has apparently now decided to withdraw her support for Bill 17 and that is her right. But it is disingenuous for Ms. James to intimate that her withdrawal of support is somehow the result of a revelation that the public would have ‘serious concerns’ about ‘the process we took to arrive at the decision to increase MLA salaries, pensions and the resources to serve constituents.’ That has always been understood by all members of the legislature. The bill was unanimously passed notwithstanding that consideration, as both parties maintained yesterday in their news release, because it was deemed to be fair, reasonable and sensible.
“In the spirit that was central to the development and introduction of Bill 17, all members of the Government Caucus will be given a fair chance to debate and respond to Ms. James’ new position prior to any decision by government. The bill would not ordinarily be proclaimed in any event until later next week. On Monday, all Government Caucus members will be given the opportunity to reflect on their initial position and support for Bill 17, in light of the Official Opposition’s reversal of support.”
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Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218 |
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