Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just going back to the transcripts on the leadership speeches which were made, and even speeches which were made by Members who were running for the Executive, much of the message I keep hearing, including Mr. Patterson's, is that we have to look at making this government more accessible and accountable to the people. It was something that was also discussed during the last election, if I recall correctly. So, this is not a new initiative. I believe it became an issue only after it was defeated during the last Assembly. I have not heard anyone who ran during the last election opposed to the public having access to government information. Not one person opposed it. I do not know what the problem seems to be, this government is all of a sudden getting the jitters again with respect to this whole issue. What are we trying to hide? Are we going to have Members tabling their expenses for the public, but not anything else? We cannot allow the public to do that unless they do it through their MLA. We cannot be talking out of both sides of our mouths. Either we support something such as this for the public, and we send that message out, or else we say we have made a mistake, what I said was not what I meant. Say this if this is what you mean. Do not base it on something which happened out there when we visited the communities. You have also made your own promises to the public. Keep that in mind also. We went to the communities because everyone else told us to do so. That was part of the election platforms that many people chose to address, more access to government and more access to government information, make ourselves visible. I believe that was the message I received. I did not hear anything to the contrary. There is nothing wrong with this legislation. I think this government should take it and start drafting legislation. By all means, it is still your duty to do that. If you chose not to support it after you have presented it, then that is your prerogative. The Members on this side have put their support behind this action paper. It is up to you to take that action paper and wrap up something.
Samuel Gargan on Committee Motion 155-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 1
In the Legislative Assembly on March 31st, 1993. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 155-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 1
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 30th, 1993
Page 1342
Samuel Gargan Deh Cho
See context to find out what was said next.