House session promises to be lively
If the directors agree with the suggestion made in the Andrews report to shut down St. Louis, Bloomfield, St Jean’s, Georgetown and Belfast, the ball goes squarely into the court of Education Minister Doug Currie.
There is plenty of ammunition for the Opposition to work with when the legislature opens next Tuesday.
The fact the board of directors of the Public Schools Branch is releasing its recommendations for school closure and rezoning Monday night will ensure the topic is front and centre every Question Period, at least for the first few weeks.
That probably would have been the case anyway, but now the debate will be about the actual plan rather than recommendations.
If the directors agree with the suggestion made in the Andrews report to shut down St. Louis, Bloomfield, St Jean’s, Georgetown and Belfast, the ball goes squarely into the court of Education Minister Doug Currie.
While the board can move on rezoning, closing schools is a government decision. Currie and Premier Wade MacLauchlan are going to find themselves standing up in the house day after day to justify the decision.
Just like they did in the last session of the legislature when there was a daily question on “who’s emails were deleted,” there is like to be plenty of variations on why the government is ripping the heart out of communities by closing their schools.
The government will likely do their best to change the channel, but that is the great thing about Question Period if you are an Opposition member – you get to pick the topics. As well, a new lawsuit has been launched by the government by the principals in the failed e-gaming scheme explored by the Liberals when Robert Ghiz was premier.
That will ensure this topic is not forgotten as well, although it is easier for the government to deflect by saying the matter is before the courts.
The session will also see some other dynamics at play. Nominations open for the Conservative leadership race in mid-April, and any contenders from inside the rail are likely to want to use the session as an opportunity to increase their profile.
It will be interesting to see how the premier reacts to the rising popularity of Green Party Leader Peter BevanBaker.
The latest poll by Corporate Research Associates puts Bevan-Baker as the top choice of Islanders as the best premier.
He is ahead of his party in popularity. While 34 per cent of respondents chose him for the best leader, the Green Party polled 26 per cent. By contrast, the premier is trailing his party numbers significantly – 48 per cent prefer the party while only 29 per cent think he is the best choice for premier. When he was first elected as his party’s lone representative, the Liberals seemed to go out of their way to be nice to him. However, as his popularity falls, the Liberal gloves are coming off.
There were signs of that last session, and it is likely to escalate this spring.
While other issues on the horizon including debate on the Water Act, a carbon tax that will come into effect next year, as well as the budget, there is likely to be more than enough to satisfy most political watchers this session.