NDP LEGISLATIVE RENEWAL MOTION GETS UNANIMOUS CONSENT
The New Democratic Party got unanimous consent from all MLAs on Wednesday to establish an all-party committee to review and renew how the Legislative Assembly operates.
The committee will travel around the territory to conduct public hearings and gather the views and opinions of Yukon citizens and interested groups on the NDP’s Bill 108, the Legislative Renewal Act. It will report its findings and recommendations to the House no later than the 2011 fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly with the government introducing legislation during the same sitting.
“I have been advocating for major changes to how we operate in this legislature since I got here 11 years ago,” NDP MLA Todd Hardy says.
“There are many things we can do to make the process more democratic and inclusive. I strongly believe the changes we will see coming forward over the next two years will do much to help to engage the public and restore its confidence and faith in their democratic institutions and processes, as well as their politicians.”
Bill 108 proposes to give legislative committees a greater role in providing input to legislation and budgets before the government tables them in the House. It will also increase public involvement in legislative decision-making, for example, by allowing witnesses to appear before standing, special and select committees.
“I encourage all members of the public to get involved in this important and long-overdue process,” Hardy adds. “I have heard from many people of this territory over the years about the things they don’t like about Yukon politics or politicians.
“This is their opportunity to change the system in very meaningful and profound ways. I am convinced that a more transparent, accountable and democratic Legislative Assemble will result in better legislation and better government, which is in the best interests of all Yukoners. We work in a House that has a lot of leaks. We need to fix it.”