NDP want more debate on MLA numbers

The opposition NDP wants more time to convince the provincial government to not add three MLAs to the legislature.

Saskatchewan currently has 58 MLAs.

The NDP has asked for 20 hours to debate the issue.

Opposition leader John Nilson said Wednesday he believes the extended debate would raise the profile of the issue.

"By getting the people of the province to understand that this is a serious issue," Nilson said. "It's not something that the government can slip through without talking to them in an election and without consulting with the public."

However, Attorney General Don Morgan said the government is determined to follow through with the plan.

"We gave it careful consideration and we think it's the right thing to do," Morgan said. "So we're planning to go ahead with it."

In addition to adding three MLAs, the government bill would also ensure that every constituency has roughly the same number of voters. The change, to count voters instead of all citizens, means people under 18 won't be included for the purposes of creating a constituency.

Nilson has also criticized that move, because people between the ages of 10 and 18 will be voting over the next decade.