A second all-nighter looms over access to information in N.L. legislature

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Bleary-eyed provincial politicians are set to spend a second night in Newfoundland and Labrador’s legislature debating proposed changes to access to information laws.

Liberal and NDP opposition members say they’ll draw out debate on the changes until the Progressive Conservative government shuts them down.

Government house leader Jerome Kennedy has indicated he’ll let the marathon sitting, which started Monday afternoon, carry on for at least one or two more nights.

The government has proposed changes that would allow public bodies to reject requests they consider frivolous or vexatious, and would block the auditor general’s access to certain records.

Justice Minister Felix Collins say the changes uphold transparency while clarifying the right to information and protecting personal data.

Liberal and NDP leaders say it’s a regressive tactic that promotes secrecy, but they’re up against a large Tory majority in the house of assembly.