Violation of charter rights says Fletcher
A 2006 law that forbids MLAs from crossing the floor of the legislature and joining other parties is a violation of his charter rights says Assiniboia MLA Steven Fletcher.
Fletcher was kicked out of the governing Conservative caucus earlier this year after he criticized the government over creating a new crown corporation to oversee the promotion of energy efficiency. Fletcher delayed the passing of the bill for as long as he could by asking questions late into the night on multiple occasions during the public hearing process.
RELATED | STEVEN FLETCHER KICKED OUT OF PC CAUCUS
On Monday, August 21, 2017, Fletcher asked the Court of Queen’s Bench to strike down the legislation the forbids sitting MLA’s from crossing the floor of the house and forces them to sit as independents until a by-election or general election occurs.
According to an affidavit filed Fletcher explained that because of his expulsion from Tory caucus and the law in place he is unable to represent his constituents to full advantage.
Sitting as an independent member of the legislature limits the rights he would have if he belonged to a party caucus such as the right to sit on and have the right to vote on committees. Independents also are limited in the ability to ask questions in the house.
Although Fletcher has put on the record that he has no intention of crossing the floor, if he were to become a Liberal he would give them party status in the house and the funding that comes with it. He would also regain his rights in the legislature that he currently does not have as an independent.
-News 4-
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