Speech from the throne overshadowed by missing MLA
Posted Mar 25, 2010 04:16:58 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Not every MLA was in his or her seat as the spring session of the legislature opened Thursday.
During her speech from the throne, Lieutenant governor Mayann Francis announced the government will not balance the 2010 budget this year.
“We will balance the budget as we promised because the promised future depends upon it,” said Mayann. “It will not happen this year.”
Francis points to tighter restrictions being imposed as the government tries to close the $525 million deficit and curtail MLA expenses.
The event itself was overshadowed by the empty seat of Dartmouth North MLA Trevor Zinck.
Premier Darrell Dexter says Zinck has been suspended because of several questionable invoices.
“Generally we categorize them as mistakes or overlooking things,” says Dexter.
The premier says it’s now in the hands of the speaker of the house.
