Province’s democracy on the line, MHAS say
Opposition, independent members propose changes to terms of reference for all-party committee to modernize Elections Act
Opposition and independent members of the House of Assembly’s all-party committee to modernize the Elections Act want to get down to work, but hope to do so in a slightly different way than originally proposed.
The Progressive Conservative party, the New Democratic Party and the three independent MHAS met Tuesday with Justice and Public Safety Minister John Hogan — who is chair of the committee — and proposed new terms of reference for the committee.
Barry Petten, PC Opposition House Leader, said it was a positive meeting and Hogan said he’d take their advice into consideration.
“We want this committee to work for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador,” Petten said.
“The terms of reference presented (Tuesday) are reasonable, transparent and will produce the results the people of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve after the difficulties with the 2021 general election.”
The winter election was plagued with criticism of its timing, with several COVID19 related delays, and numerous issues that reportedly prevented many people from being able to vote.
In response, the governing Liberals announced in the House of Assembly last month that an all-party committee would be formed to look into modernizing the province’s Elections Act.
The committee consists of four Liberal MHAS, plus being chaired by Hogan, two members of the PC Official Opposition, one member of the NDP and one independent MHA.
Hogan said at the time that the all-party committee will identify means to enhance accessibility of voting in Newfoundland and Labrador and he hoped the committee’s work would proceed quickly, as all members were focused on the same outcome.
There are also four separate actions in Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court resulting from the election — two by PC candidates and two by the NDP — and Hogan said those cases will amount to an independent review of the legalities of issues that occurred during the 2021 election.
He said that process needs to unfold, as well.
NDP House Leader Jim Dinn said Tuesday the issues with the election are not about party, but about the health of Newfoundland and Labrador’s democracy.
“These issues rise above partisanship. It’s about the fundamental right to vote, which was taken away from thousands of people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador during the 2021 general election,” Dinn said. “There is no Liberal, PC or NDP solution to the issues with the Elections Act. We agree wholeheartedly with Minister Hogan and Premier Furey when they say now is the time for bold action to solve our province’s major issues.”
Mount Pearl-southlands independent MHA Paul Lane says his constituents are demanding accountability and strengthened democracy in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The terms of reference proposed is the non-partisan balance this committee needs,” he said. “Anything less than independence and transparency will make it that much harder for real solutions to be found.”