There has been considerable media attention paid in recent days to the position of Leader of
the Official Opposition at the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. Questions have been asked regarding the role of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly as it relates to that position.
To clarify, the customs and practices of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island provide that it is the responsibility of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to recognize the Leader of the Official Opposition.
On Thursday, January 31, 2013, Mr. Hal Perry, MLA for Tignish-Palmer Road, contacted my office in writing and advised that he had the clear support of the majority of the Opposition Caucus (comprised of the five members of the Progressive Conservative Association of Prince Edward Island elected to the Legislative Assembly) to be identified as the Leader of the Official Opposition. Based on the fact that Mr. Perry had the majority support of the Opposition Caucus, I confirmed that I would recognize him as the Leader of the Official Opposition.
On Thursday, February 7, 2013, Mr. Steven Myers, MLA for Georgetown-St. Peters, delivered a letter to my office requesting that he be acknowledged as the Leader of the Official Opposition based on the fact that he had been selected as the Interim Leader of the Progressive Conservative Association of Prince Edward Island and, as such, should receive recognition as the Leader of the Official Opposition. The letter did not indicate that he had the support of the majority of the elected Opposition Caucus.
As Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, I respect the internal and independent operation of the Office of the Official Opposition. I also respect that decisions associated with the internal operation and function of that office are taken by majority decision of the Opposition Caucus, composed of the five members of the Progressive Conservative Association of Prince Edward Island elected to the Legislative Assembly.
Members have placed their confidence in me to be their Speaker, and I take this responsibility very seriously. The Office of the Official Opposition is a parliamentary office, as opposed to a political party office. As such, the operation and decisions associated with its functioning must remain with the elected members themselves and must operate within the jurisdiction of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. I intend to continue to adhere to these principles, as have many honourable Speakers past, and will not become involved in the internal relationship between parliamentary caucus offices and political party offices. These are matters for the consideration of each respective office, and not for the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
This statement is being offered to clarify the position of the Office of the Speaker on this matter. Out of respect for the internal functioning of the Office of the Official Opposition, interviews will be declined.