The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight wrote to obtain clarification on Cabinet's policy regarding Ministers being in the House during sitting hours. Members noted that it is important for Ministers to be present for Members' questions during question period. Committee also noted that it was the practice of previous governments that no more than one Minister will ever be absent on a day that the House is sitting, and then only for federal/provincial/territorial or provincial/territorial ministerial meetings. The Premier confirmed that the Cabinet policy for the 14th Legislative Assembly carried on the practice of no more than one Minister being absent on a day that the House is sitting and advised all Ministers to be present during question period.
The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight recommends that the 15th Legislative Assembly continue the current practice of ensuring that no more than one Minister will ever be absent on a day that the House is sitting, and then only for federal/provincial/territorial or provincial/territorial ministerial meetings.