PEI Opposition Leader Olive Crane

Ghiz schedules press conference on Health PEI during Opposition Motion time slot

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.

“In the case of the Ghiz government, their actions speak louder than words, once again.”