Opposition Leader James Aylward is urging MLAs on the Legislative Management Committee to adopt a more public and transparent selection process for the province’s referendum commissioner.
Aylward made his comments in advance of an upcoming meeting of the committee.
"The referendum commissioner has an important role to play in the upcoming referendum so it’s important that we select the best person possible to do that job,’’ said Aylward.
“That’s why I’m renewing my call for a more publicly transparent process to select the referendum commissioner.’’
Aylward is calling for the position to be publicly advertised as other independent officers of the Legislative Assembly such as the auditor general, the information and privacy commissioner and the CEO of Elections P.E.I.
Aylward is also asking for any committee meetings dealing with the selection of the referendum commissioner to be open to the public.
Legislative Management Committee meetings are typically held in camera behind closed doors. Aylward noted that the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy, which is the federal counterpart of P.E.I.'s Legislative Management Committee, has held all of its meetings open to the public and webcasted since last June. Additionally, several provinces, such as Newfoundland and Labrador and British Columbia, hold similar committee meetings publicly and broadcast the proceedings.
"Lack of public confidence in the process was a major issue during the debate over the referendum bill this spring,’’ he said.
“I’m not sure hand-picking someone behind closed doors to be the referendum commissioner will strengthen that public confidence so I’m hopeful that the rest of the committee will support my request.’’
