Burrill: McNeil’s pattern of meeting with unregistered lobbyists a serious problem

HALIFAX- NDP Leader Gary Burrill made the following statement about Stephen McNeil’s meeting with Jean Charest:

"Stephen McNeil has made it clear that he simply does not care about the rules around corporate lobbying in Nova Scotia. Meeting with unregistered lobbyists behind a wall of secrecy is plainly below the standard of conduct the Premier must uphold.

The details of this most recent lobbying session with Mr. Charest were only revealed as a result of a Freedom of Information request. That's not how democratic transparency is supposed to work.

The Premier should begin releasing his itinerary, as Premiers have done before him, and he should immediately release a list of all unregistered corporate lobbyists he has met with. To do less is to fall short of the responsibility of his office.

The public needs to know who commands the Premier's attention behind closed doors."

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