Paul Davis says House of Assembly should open early

Opposition leaderPaul Davis says that because of the "unprecedented fiscal situation," Premier Dwight Ball shouldopen the House of Assembly early.

• Liberals to tackle Newfoundland and Labrador's fiscal plight

In a press release Davis said that there needs to be debate and discussion among all elected members, long before the 2016 budget is finalized. He said that Newfoundland and Labrador "cannot wait until 2017 for a long-range plan."

The House of Assembly usually opens in March for the passing of the annual budget.

"It is more important than ever to open the House early this year when the fiscal situation isunlike any the province has ever faced and requires difficult decisions and long-range planning," said Davis.

"The House of Assembly has not been in session for sevenmonths," he added.

Speaking with reporters Thursday, Ball said he has no plans to open the legislature early.

Earlier this week,Ball announced that his government would be in public consultations until March 2017, after which it would release a long-term plan.

Davis said the PC caucus is prepared to be "constructive in offering solutions" and that the province's fiscal issues should be debated openly.

"The Liberals promised the House would be open so important issues would be raisedand questions would be answered in a timely fashion but the House is not open and pressingquestions and options are not being addressed in time to inform the 2016 Budget planningprocess," he said.