Crane accuses government of trying to muzzle Opposition, media
The Guardian
Opposition Leader Olive Crane says she is disappointed that once again
the Ghiz government is playing politics and putting up obstacles to ensure that Opposition MLAs cannot take part in a press conference on major issues in this province.
“Yesterday, I received an invitation for our MLAs to take part in a press conference at 3.15 p.m. today on the final report of the Health Governance Advisory Council. That time frame just happens to coincide with the designated time for the Opposition to bring forth motions and other issues to the legislature.”
Crane noted that the Opposition only has Tuesday nights, and Thursday after 3 p.m. to bring forth matters to the floor of the legislature.
“I find it difficult to believe that the Minister of Health could not have had a press conference at another time that would allow the Opposition members to take part. We have three members and we have to be in the House for our time. Does government expect to shut-down the House so we can participate in this press conference? It’s ridiculous!”
Crane said she also felt that the premier’s office was trying to manipulate the media by initially suggesting that they could not get an embargoed copy of the report until 2 p.m. when question period is underway in the House.
“Thank goodness that the media representatives protested loudly about this deliberate attempt to keep them from covering one of the most important parts of the daily legislative sessions and asked for the time to be moved until 1 p.m.”
Crane said she has no doubt that the timing of the 3:15 p.m. press conference is aimed specifically at trying to keep the Opposition from holding government accountable.
“This is a major report that will outline government’s future intentions for our health care system yet, the Ghiz administration did not even have the courtesy to set up a briefing with the Opposition caucus to discuss it prior to today’s legislative session.”
Crane said that no doubt government will deny that they are trying to manipulate the Opposition’s access to the press conference but she pointed out that it has happened in the past.
The Guardian is committed to encouraging intelligent discourse among our readers and to creating a forum where diverse views and opinions on a wide range of topics can be aired. The forum you are in now is a result of our continuing efforts to facilitate a dynamic online conversation among our readers.
This is a moderated conversation. Once a reader follows the steps to register and submit his or her comment it goes to a moderator for the website. Once it has been approved, your comment will be displayed on the website. A comment may be edited or deleted for reasons of content or language.
All readers wishing to join a conversation must first sign in and agree to the Terms of Usage, which explain the rules of acceptable content.
Comm from pe writes: Wow this Ghiz is starting to rule like a communist country. No one able to speak, dismiss others thoughts and just sweep stuff (PNP, Foodtrust, appointments of insiders) under the rug. Wow this is sure putting Islanders first.
Oh yeah, thanks for the higher Property taxes as i was planning on buying a home soon.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Rob Mceachern from Priests pond, Pe writes: The temper tantrum which young ghiz had in the legislature demonstrated a very immature spoiled brat as premier.
The pompous attitudes exhibited show Ghiz is a totalitarian who feels he is beyond reproach.
The stench of disgust is a powerful shame indeed.
Will the elected officials or the party not move to correct this terrible mistake of voting in a young man who clearly is beyond his ability??
Like lemming the rest of the CAUCus tow the party line and follow the leader to certain doom.
Thank You
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Flabbergast Wenster from SourisLineRoud, pEI writes: Worse government in living memory!
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Donna from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Of course the Ghiz government is attempting to muzzle the media, which IS a political threat to them, and secondarily, the Opposition, which is not.
We Island voters must remember these days and tactics when the next election rolls around. Any government with a majority of this size is unaccountable. A corrupt, incompetent, duplicitious one is dangerous. We have both.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Sinking Ship from pei writes: Yet another example of chidish and immature behaviour on the part of our current government.
It is truly embarrasing to watch the legislative assembly TV coverage and realize these are grown adults that we are relying on to make important decisions that affect us all as well as future generations.
Do they not realize what vital roles they play or has it become more of a game?
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Phillip Ontakos from pe writes: When does the deceit, lies, cover-ups end?? I'll tell you when.........May 2011.
This is getting disgusting. PEI is getting laughed at.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
L K from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Its obvious that our democratic system is NOT working. We need democratic reform, starting with the option to recall MLAs!!!
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
To Sinking Ship Couldn't Agree More! from PEI writes: I was tuned in today and it was another session of shaking my head continually in disbelief and anguish! It is more than difficult to understand how our Province could have elected these Members and have given them their trust to Govern in our Best Interests!!
The previous session was hard to watch but today's was even harder! I'm not going to tune in again. The Liberals antics and dodging of questions is just too hard on my blood pressure!
Plus I had to buy a Flat Screen when my old TV quit and I'm afraid I might get aggitated enough to throw something through it! And I can't afford another one!
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
OLd Tory from P.E.I. writes: The Progressive Conservative Party of P.E.I. needs to become very vocal in the media about some of these issues. The proposed increases in property taxes are outrageous and must be stopped even it entails a highly organized tax revolt. That means thousands of home owners refusing to pay their property taxes, this bunch of hooligans can't foreclose on everybody. The projected $85 million dollar deficit for 2010 is the reason for the new tax grab. This is an out of control tax and spend liberal government, the likes of which we haven't seen in decades, if we have to run a deficit of $85 million in 2010 it simply means that we are overspending and the solution is very simple---reduce expenses so that the taxpayers of P.E.I. don't continued to be gouged for the sole benefit of the liberal party. This new bit of insanity to set up a super board to run health care is simply a way for Ghiz and his gang to find another non elected board, like IRAC, to hide behind or another scapegoat to do their dirty work, like Sandy MacDonald.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
`read between the lines from pei, pei writes: the tories are just trying to see who will win the leader of the tory party come the next election so jim go do something else you are making the torys look silly olive is a real winner smart and a real go getter
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
NOTE
The management of this site emphasizes that it is in no way liable for persons, physical or legal, who are hosted here. Moreover, the managers of this site may not be held liable for errors and omissions that may slip into the information displayed in these reader comments. Everyone who submits a comment should read, understand and agree to the Terms of Usage for this section.
