Still not fit

The ever-classy Jerome Kennedy strikes again. From Thursday's proceedings in the Bow-Wow Parliament, when a known Enemy of the People rose to present a petition:

MS ROGERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents of Newfoundland and Labrador humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS with the passage of Bill 29, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (Amendment) Act, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has weakened citizens’ access to information and has reduced government transparency; and

WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has moved towards greater secrecy and less openness; and

WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is breaking its own commitment for greater transparency, accountability, and freedom of information, which it said at one time was the hallmark of its government;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to repeal the passage of Bill 29.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to stand in the House once again to present this petition that many people across the Province have signed out of grave concern for the issue of transparency and accountability by the government, and by government departments. Now more than ever in our history this is so vital and crucial to an open, modern, and fair democracy. Particularly now in light of this austerity Budget which so adversely affects the lives of many, many people across our Province.

We are talking close to 2,000 job cuts – the disappearance of close to 2,000 jobs. This is not just jobs but it is people’s lives. In light of this Budget, in light of the Budget that cut so many social services, it is imperative that we have access to information about core mandate reviews on which these decisions were made, that we have access to –

MR. KENNEDY: Liar.

MR. SPEAKER: I would ask the Minister of Finance if he would stand and apologize for his unparliamentary language.

MR. KENNEDY: I withdraw the comment.

MR. SPEAKER: I ask the minister to stand and apologize to the House.

MR. KENNEDY: I apologize.

No word yet whether Minister Kennedy's apology was accompanied by another of his infamous death-glares.