Time to update legislature hours

It is time for the Legislative Assembly to modernize its sitting hours as a means to increase accessibility to and diversity within the house. The hours of the legislature were originally created to accommodate rural MLAs’ travel by train. Since then the train has become obsolete on P.E.I. and MLAs have transportation allowances.

It was surprising to discover that the sitting hours of the legislature have only been changed slightly since passenger train service ended in 1964. Because of this I applaud Minister Paula Biggar for submitting Motion 32, which moves to shift the sitting hours of the legislature to day time hours only.

This is a motion that seems like a win-win for everyone. The motion is clear that no hours will be lost in this shift, and that the change in sitting hours will remove a key barrier to women’s participation in provincial politics.

The motion also mentions that if legislative sessions were held during the day, complete sessions could be broadcast across P.E.I. rather than only half of the sessions due to competing broadcast need in the evening.

With all of this considered, I feel we can all agree it is time for the Legislative Assembly to modernize its operating hours.

Not only will it open doors it will provide opportunity for engagement from a diversity of people, which is what democracy is about. Becka Viau, Charlottetown