More Talks Expected To Avoid Snap Election

More talks are expected Friday among the province’s four major political parties to avoid a snap election during the pandemic.

Officials from the Progressive Conservatives, the Liberals, the Green Party and the People’s Alliance met until 9 p.m. Thursday discussing the proposal by Premier Blaine Higgs.

Higgs wants the opposition parties to sign an agreement not to trigger an election until the next fixed date in 2022 or until the pandemic is over.

Following the meeting, People’s Alliance leader Kris Austin told reporters there was a lot of idea sharing among the parties.

“At the end of the day, we were able to get some idea around what we’re looking to do and the basis of it,” said Austin. “Tomorrow, I think, is going to be the key.”

In exchange for a commitment to keeping the government in place through the pandemic, the opposition parties would have a say on government policy.

Higgs has said what happens during this week’s meetings will be a major component of his decision whether to call an election.