CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The leaders of the two opposition parties in the legislature want the government’s referendum legislation sent to a committee before it comes back up for debate in the house.
Opposition Leader James Aylward was the first to raise the issue during Friday morning’s question period, saying the referendum bill was on the floor of the legislature for several days with little progress.
He asked Premier Wade MacLauchlan to have the bill sent to the democratic renewal committee for input from the public on how to strengthen the legislation.
“The referendum bill is flawed, but it can be improved,” he said.
MLAs have been debating the legislation government drafted to set out the rules around a referendum on electoral reform that is set to coincide with the next provincial election.
It includes rules around advertising, sets out the question on the referendum ballot and details the threshold of support needed for change.
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MacLauchlan said he disagreed with the idea that progress wasn’t being made on the bill.
“I don’t think we’re anywhere close to gridlock on this and we appreciate the opportunity to be here as 27 legislators doing our job,” he said.
Green leader Peter Bevan-Baker also wanted the bill sent to the committee, saying there were 14 amendments tabled already with more expected to come.
“When will you admit that this bill is too flawed to proceed on the floor and it needs a complete overhaul?”
Justice Minister Jordan Brown said he marvels at the suggestion any legislation is too flawed to proceed.
The objective of the process is to have an equal playing field with an unambiguous result to the referendum question, Brown said.
“That’s what we’re trying to achieve and we hope everybody else in here will help us out with that process.”
