Press Release |
MPP: Stop the Horse Trading of Private Members Bills
April 14, 2011 QUEEN’S PARK - According to Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees, the Notice of Motion he tabled today would legitimize the business of Private Members Bills in the Ontario legislature.
"Politics and partisanship has reduced what is intended to be a meaningful opportunity for individual MPPs to bring forward legislation, to a horse-trading exercise by House Leaders at the end of a legislative session" said Klees.
"At the very least, Private Members bills that pass Second Reading and are referred to Committee should be considered by that Committee. And if a bill is referred for Third Reading, MPPs should be given the opportunity to vote on that bill."
Under current practice, even though MPPs vote in support of Private Member bills, they never see the light of day because the government refuses to schedule them for further consideration.
The Notice of Motion put forward by Klees, would ensure that all Private Members bills that pass Second Reading would be scheduled for committee hearings and Third Reading vote by MPPs.
"The role of individual MPPs has been steadily eroded by successive governments of all political stripes" said Klees. "This is an opportunity to take back an important legislative responsibility legislators have lost over time".
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For Media Inquires Contact:
Darryl Wolk
Executive Assistant to Frank Klees, MPP
416 325 7316