Liberals debate budget while leader on holiday
Posted Apr 8, 2010 04:40:47 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Debate on Nova Scotia’s 2010 budget got underway in the Legislative House of Assembly today while the leader of the official opposition was away on a two-day holiday.
Stephen McNeil is in in Augusta, Georgia with his son watching the Pro Golf Association tour. His colleagues explained the trip was planned months before McNeil knew when the house would begin its spring sitting or when the budget would be tabled – although these two events are typically held in around the April 1.
“There’s only a PGA tour at one time. The budget being out here, it’s in good hands. Leo Glavine, the financial critic, has got it all in hand,” MLA for Digby-Annapolis, Harold Theriault, told reporters at the legislature today.
“He’ll be back here Monday debating the Premier’s estimates while the Premier is trying to defend his estimates in the house,” MLA for Cape Breton South, Manning MacDonald said.
MacDonald explained McNeil is not a hypocrite for booking his holiday at this time, even though McNeil had criticized Premier Darrell Dexter for attending the Winter Olympics when the MLA expenses scandal was revealed.
“I’m not going to criticize others’ vacation choices,” Dexter told reporters. “The House of Assembly is here. I’m here to do my job and I’ll let others comment on that choice.”
