ItB次元官网网址檚 not the leaderB次元官网网址檚 seat, but Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan was front and centre as the Legislature reconvened on Wednesday.

Newly minted NDP leader Adrian Dix has appointed Horgan NDP house leader, as well as energy critic, a portfolio the Langford resident has held for four years.

As house leader, Horgan is working with Liberal counterpart Rich Coleman B次元官网网址� the minister of energy and mines B次元官网网址� to prepare and organize each dayB次元官网网址檚 agenda of debates and bills.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a somewhat technical job and a somewhat diplomatic job,B次元官网网址� Horgan said. B次元官网网址淚t sounds easier than it is.

B次元官网网址�(The position) is a vote of confidence from the new leader,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l have a new edge going into this job. I can work co-operatively with both sides, but we need good will from both sides. IB次元官网网址檓 looking forward to the challenge.B次元官网网址�

Esquimalt-Royal Roads MLA Maurine Karagianis has retained her role as NDP house whip, responsible for maintaining caucus discipline and unity.

The spring session is scheduled to end June 2, but Horgan suspects that wonB次元官网网址檛 be enough time to debate and cover ground on issues such as the HST and the status quo budget presented in February.

Between that budget and the election of Christy Clark as Liberal leader, ministries have been renamed and shaken up, making the budget disconnected from the existing government, Horgan said.

B次元官网网址淭he ministry names are different, there is no connection (in the budget) to the present to be able to follow the money.

B次元官网网址淚t becomes very, very difficult to follow where the money goes, what itB次元官网网址檚 spent on and what social benefit is derived,B次元官网网址� Horgan said shortly before the session began Wednesday.

B次元官网网址淭he government wants to deal with this quickly and we disagree.B次元官网网址�

Outside of sitting for four days in February, MLAs have been out of the legislature for nearly 11 months. The fixed calendar allows for 17 days of debate before the summer break. Horgan said the session should last as long as needed.

B次元官网网址淲hat is the harm in that?B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲orking to spend money where itB次元官网网址檚 appropriate is the whole point of government.

B次元官网网址淭he public wants to know the government has collected the right amount of money and spent it on the right priorities.B次元官网网址�

editor@goldstreamgazette.com