Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If this is to work, the Ministers have to be given the authority to hire their own department heads and deputy ministers.
Mr. Speaker, we need to make changes to the Public Service Act and, as Ministers are responsible for the management and direction of the public service, it is only fair that their preferences for their own department heads be considered.
A close working relationship is needed between the Ministers and the department heads, and also the Ministers with the Regular MLAs if we are to function effectively as a government.
Mr. Speaker, by acknowledging the wishes of the Minister for their own staff and their own authority to hire them, I think we would be building a stronger government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause