Re: 鈥淲ho supervises legislature鈥檚 top officers? No one,鈥� column, Jan. 26.
The legislature of the province has had more than its usual share of problems recently. Investigations are underway and they will take some time to conclude.
Meanwhile, sa国际传媒 columnist Les Leyne has pointed out that one of the reasons for the lack of appropriate oversight is that the two legislative employees under investigation fall under the category of 鈥減ermanent employees鈥� and are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Legislative Assembly Management Committee that otherwise oversees the legislature鈥檚 affairs.
Section 3(1)(c) of the Legislative Assembly Act applies whereby:
(1) The committee has jurisdiction to deal with all matters affecting (c) the appointment, supervision and management of staff of the legislative assembly, other than permanent officers of the legislative assembly.
So it seems to me the legislature could quickly regain some of its credibility, while more exhaustive investigations are underway, the results of which might mean more changes, by causing a simple amendment to Section 3(1)(c), replacing the words 鈥渙ther than鈥� with 鈥渋ncluding the.鈥�
This one action would demonstrate to the citizens of the province that their provincial party leaders can act in their best interests and restore much-needed credibility to the institution of the legislature now.
According to its website, the legislature is to reopen on Feb. 12. With all-party agreement, the amendment could be introduced on that day and duly passed according to the applicable rules.
Brian Peckford
Former premier of Newfoundland
Nanaimo
