NDP asks to extend legislative session
Says it needs time to assess impact of looming budget cuts
Last Updated: Monday, November 23, 2009 | 4:31 PM CT
CBC News
Following a gloomy Saskatchewan budget update last week that showed declining revenues and called for spending cuts, the NDP says it wants to extend the legislative session.
Under an agreement between the governing Saskatchewan Party and the Opposition New Democrats, the fall session is supposed to wrap up on Dec. 3.
However, the NDP asked Monday for a two-week extension, saying it's the only way it can properly assess the latest financial update from the government.
The government's mid-year report said while it expects to finish the year with a surplus, that's only going to happen after taking money from the Crown corporations and its rainy day funds.
The summary financial projection, which looks at all government operations, is that the provincial government will finish the 2009-2010 fiscal year with a $1.05 billion deficit.
The update also calls for substantial spending cuts, something that will require more scrutiny, opposition leader Dwain Lingenfelter said.
"There are 19 departments and agencies of government that are now seeing $290-million worth of cuts," Lingenfelter said.
"This will change those departments and agencies very drastically, and we want to know how that affects the public."
The government is under no obligation to sit any longer than the two parties initially agreed upon.
Premier Brad Wall said if the Opposition wants more time to pore over the books, it can have it, but that will have to come through longer days, not more of them.
Cost is a concern, he said.
"I think there would be some additional cost to sitting for effectively two more weeks and driving back and forth and submitting mileage expenses," he said.
In response to Wall's proposal, Lingenfelter said this is the wrong place to pinch pennies.
In addition to needing time to question the government, the Opposition also needs time to consult with the people of Saskatchewan, Lingenfelter said.
