Economic uncertainty, Early Childhood Education Crisis are reasons for a new Legislative Session to be called

In recent years, we have moved to have planning for a Legislative session occur much in advance of the beginning of the session. Normally we know six months or a year in advance when the next session will begin. This year, Gary Doer failed to even announce the start date of the Legislative session at the beginning of October when the last session ended.

It seems Gary Doer is playing hide and seek. He said he could not annouce the date of the next session because "the times are not usual" - presumably referring to the economic uncertainty now. Certainly the economic uncertainty is no reason not to call the session. Indeed, it is every reason to call the session so that the Legislature can discuss and debate the best approach for Manitoba to take in addressing the present economic conditions. As part of this discussion, the NDP should be tabling an economic statement for Manitoba, just like Ontario has done today.

Indeed there are other issues as well. Today about 300 people came to the Legislature to raise concerns about the crisis in Early Childhood Education in Manitoba. Certainly the very early years of a child's life are among the most important, and we need to ensure that children in Manitoba are getting off to a good start. And yet we heard that Gary Doer and his ministers were not even willing to meet with leaders in Early Childhood Education in Manitoba to discuss the present crisis. Clearly, the Legislature should be sitting so Gary Doer and his ministers can be confronted with this pressing issue as well.