Emergency session of legislature ends, budget passes, COVID-19 deficit and all

Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry wore a face mask as she walked into the legislative chamber shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesdayto bring to an end the 28-day emergency sitting of the Prince Edward Island Legislature.

The emergency session began May 26.

The sitting of the house, originally intended to last just a day or two to pass emergency bills related to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, included passing of a budget with what the premier called an "unprecedented" deficit.

The budget passed unopposed in a vote Tuesday night.

"I think everybody realized how important it was for the expenditures to be made and Ithink all three parties acted accordingly," said Premier Dennis King.

The budget included a$173 million deficit, withspending intended to battle the economic fallout of the pandemic.

"Government has a lot on their plate with this budget going forward and we'll see what happens," said Sonny Gallant, interim Liberal leader.

Opposition leader Peter Bevan-Baker and other Green MLAsbrought forward a motion Tuesday nighturging government to build a "stronger, moreresilient post-COVID Island."The motion passed, but Bevan-Baker expressed disappointment that no members of government joined debate on the subject.

He said the session was productive but the collaborative spirit is waning.

"Islanders voted for change in the last election and I think there's growing disappointment that we're getting more of the same old, same old politics here on Prince Edward Island."

The emergency session also saw the minority Conservative government try and fail to expand powers under emergency measures legislation.

"It seemed to be a little more than what was needed," said Gallant.

MLAs are slated to return to the House in the fall, unless another emergency session is needed.

In 2021, evening sessions of the legislature will come to an end.The termination of this long-standing practice generated intense debate during the emergency session.

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