Pregnant MLA prompts province to change rules
‘ Archaic’ law that doesn’t provide paid maternity leave ‘ wrong’: Notley
Premier Rachel Notley said Wednesday Alberta’s NDP government will replace existing “archaic” rules with a policy that allows MLAs to take parental leave after the birth of a child.
“We’re looking at different ways to fix it, but we will fix it,” Notley said, in light of NDP MLA Stephanie McLean’s pregnancy — a first for a sitting MLA in Alberta. “We will make sure that she suffers no economic loss.”
McLean, the MLA for Calgary-- Varsity and deputy government whip, is set to deliver her baby boy in February. She told the Journal she intends to return to work at the legislature as soon as possible after her delivery.
But because MLAs don’t pay into employment insurance, McLean cannot take paid maternity leave. And rules set out in the Legislative Assembly Act state that any MLA who misses more than 10 days of a legislature sitting will have her or his pay docked by $ 100 per day. The only exceptions are bereavement, public business or illness.
Notley said those provisions are “archaic” and probably wouldn’t withstand a challenge under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“We’re going to change that piece of legislation. No question. It’s got to be fixed. It’s wrong,” Notley said.
Notley couldn’t say whether any new legislation would be passed in time for McLean’s due date next February.
“I think what we’re likely going to be looking at is trying to inject flexibility into how the job is done, to encourage women — and young women of child- bearing years — to be politicians,” the premier said.
Progressive Conservative interim leader Ric McIver said he was supportive of changes that would make it easier for young mothers to participate in politics.
“We need women’s voices in government. They need to be able to be fairly represented and they need to have a fair shot at doing this and if we have to modernize some of the rules to make it possible ... then we just need to do that,” he said.
Last week, government house leader Brian Mason introduced a proposal to introduce morning sitting hours in the legislature in a bid to make the house more familyfriendly.