Alberta’s new premier is facing more criticism after the Tories announced a nearly month-long break during the upcoming fall sitting of the legislature.

“We’re going to have 10 question periods, probably, in this fall sitting. Tough to hold a government accountable in 10 question periods,” said Liberal House Leader Laurie Blakeman.

“This is entirely on them, as usual, and they’re taking their sweet time and Albertans are going to pay for it.”

NDP House Leader Rachel Notley agrees, saying the government is playing “hooky.”

“This government runs away from question period. They know that when they’re subjected to it for any length of time, the narrative changes and their popularity goes down,” said Notley.

Just a day after winning the premiership on Oct. 1, Alison Redford announced she planned to cancel the fall sitting of the legislature, instead waiting until spring 2012 to tackle new legislation.

However, after meeting with her fellow government MLAs, the plan was overturned with the announcement that the fall sitting would go ahead as planned from Oct. 24 to Dec. 1.

On Thursday, however, Government House Leader Dave Hancock said MLAs will only set foot in the legislature for two days next week, while proceedings will be adjourned until Nov. 21.

The session is expected to wrap Dec. 1, meaning there will only be 10 days of official business going on under the dome.

“This was one of the options that we put together for a new leader coming in. One of the options was to not have a fall session … one was to have a short session up front because obviously between Oct. 1 and now there’s not enough time for a new agenda to be put together or new legislation to be prepared,” said Hancock.

The Wildrose Party said the government explanation for the delay is a mere excuse, ultimately buying more time to dodge questions, including Redford’s campaign promise to launch a public judicial inquiry into allegations of MLA health-queue jumping.

“The PCs have utter contempt for opposition. After 40 years, they think that they have a divine right to rule without any kind of real opposition questioning what they’re doing,” said Wildrose House Leader Rob Anderson.

Alberta MLAs have faced criticism for sitting the least amount of days debating legislation in the country.

This year, Manitoba politicians are expected to sit a total of 73 days in the legislature, while B.C. MLAs will spend 58 days in session.

Including the anticipated 10 days spent debating in the house, Alberta politicians will spend a total of just 42 days at the legislature in 2011.

“It’s a farce. It shows a total lack of respect for government and MLAs,” said Anderson.

Agenda items expected in the fall session include debate on the Education Act, although Hancock said it’s too early to say what will be covered before the Dec. 1 end date.

Redford will open her first day as premier in the legislature Monday by addressing the global economic crisis.

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