Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Ordinary Members' Caucus, I have been asked to advise the Premier, through you, Madam Speaker, that we have some concerns. Madam Speaker, in December, Members and Ministers were involved in the mid-term review. During that review, the responsiveness of Ministers was a key factor in reviewing their performance. Ministers were told that we expect them to be prepared and to treat ordinary Members with courtesy and respect.
Madam Speaker, since the review, there seems to be a somewhat disturbing trend taking place among some Ministers, especially during question period. More than once, Ministers have not answered questions saying they have not been in the portfolio long enough. I must say, Members on this side feel that after periods of three to six months, we expect Ministers to be prepared for question period.
Sometimes it has been obvious that Ministers have not been paying attention and questions have had to be asked again or Members have had to point out that Ministers are not prepared to hear a question when they don't speak a language in which the question is being posed. Other times, Members have been told that if a Member wants an answer to a question, they could go directly to the department. Madam Speaker, Members have a privilege in this House of asking questions that they believe the Minister should have the knowledge of. Members expect to get an answer from the Ministers. If the Minister isn't prepared to give an answer, he always has the option of taking the question as notice. But it is not considered acceptable, by Members on this side of the House, for a Minister to suggest that a Member should go directly to the department. OMC Members are asking questions which are important to them and to their constituents. Ministers are expected during question period to pay attention and respond as fully as they can. A cooperative relationship will help all of us do a better job for all of our constituents. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
---Applause