Fentie Circumvents Taylor's Committee on Appointments

09-Feb-2010

Whitehorse – Premier Fentie’s decision to unilaterally appoint a new chair of the Yukon Utilities Board violates the standing orders of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, says Liberal MLA Don Inverarity. Fentie admitted to opposition leaders in January that he had approved the appointment. The Standing Committee on Appointments to Major Government Boards ‘shall review nominations and recommend appointments’ to the Utilities Board.

“A new chair has already been appointed by the Premier and yet the committee hasn’t even discussed the vacancy,” said Inverarity, the Liberal member of the committee. “This is just another case of Premier Fentie dictating how things have to happen.”

The committee is nominally chaired by Deputy Premier Elaine Taylor.

“It’s clear the Deputy Premier’s authority as chair has been over-stepped by her boss,” Inverarity said. “It’s very disappointing to see Ms. Taylor allow the Premier to run roughshod over this committee. It’s just like the Peel watershed interference and last week’s cabinet shuffle. It’s possible she doesn’t even know it has happened.”

When he informed members of the opposition of the appointment Fentie defended his decision to bypass the committee by saying the board urgently needs to deal with the Mayo B hydro project.

“The government has known about the vacancy since December,” Inverarity said. “There was plenty of time to involve the committee and follow due process, something the Premier says he is very fond of doing. Instead the Premier has told Ms. Taylor and the rest of the committee members that their input is not required.”

Inverarity says he is disappointed that members of the Yukon Party caucus continue to allow the Premier to circumvent the rules.

“It’s an abuse of process and another indication of the Premier’s lack of respect for the Legislature. The Premier likes to talk the talk about following due process, but chooses to circumvent those processes whenever he feels like it. This is not the first time the Premier has chosen personal preference over due process,” he said.

For additional information contact:
Jason Cunning 667-8942