HALIFAX – Premier Darrell Dexter has denied a request from Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott to meet with him and Springhill Mayor Allen Dill to discuss the announced provincial correctional center for Springhill.

During the final Question Period of the fall sitting yesterday, Scott asked the premier if he would engage in discussions on whether his government plans to make good on its commitment to honour a plan initially announced by the Progressive Conservative government.

The announcement to construct one facility in Springhill came in April after much work on the project was completed, such as land acquisition and preliminary design. The previous government also earmarked approximately $18 million in its spring budget for the correctional center in Springhill, but the NDP removed this money from their budget.

Justice Minister Ross Landry has since expressed concern as to whether the cost of constructing the facility would be beneficial to taxpayers, and if Springhill is in fact the best location for it.

Scott said he has interpreted this to mean the government is not going to follow through on the plan. He said he has become frustrated with the lack of definitive answers, and requested the meeting to help clarify where the project is at.

But the Premier deferred all responsibility to the Justice Minister.

"This matter is being handled by the Minister of Justice" Dexter said. "The file is being reviewed in that department - I think it would be best, if you’re really concerned with that, to ask the Minister of Justice."

Scott said his answer shows a lack of leadership.

"It sounds as though the premier does not know what is going on and is essentially passing the buck on an issue that could have a tremendous affect on this community and the provincial justice system," he said.

"I think if he did, he would be happy to sit down with us, discuss their concerns and explain why the project is not moving forward as we had anticipated.

"He made this commitment, and if they are now in the process of backing out of it, we deserve to know why; it is the premier’s credibility and leadership that is in question here."