Tensions rise in legislature between Speaker and opposition MLAs
An increasingly bitter dispute is developing in the Alberta legislature, with opposition MLAs accusing Speaker Gene Zwozdesky of failing to remain impartial, deliberately stifling controversy, and wasting time with lengthy and unnecessary interjections.
The acrimony has grown more heated each day in question period but came to a boil Wednesday when Zwozdesky forced a Wildrose MLA to apologize after Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith directly challenged the Speaker to allow her members more leeway to hold the government to account.
Smith suggested Zwozdesky was unfairly muzzling the opposition by rejecting any questions related to controversial subjects such as party finances, ethics investigations and the actions of legislature officers.
“Far too often when we attempt to do our jobs in this legislature, we are unable to ask the government the questions that need to be asked,” she told the Speaker. “We understand these questions are often uncomfortable. They often deal with scandal, impropriety and personal misconduct. But they simply must be asked.”
An example of the dispute occurred on Tuesday, when Zwozdesky halted a series of Wildrose queries that were critical of Ethics Commissioner Neil Wilkinson — particularly his recent decision not to sanction former Conservative MLA Peter Sandhu for conflict-of-interest violations.
Wildrose house leader Rob Anderson responded angrily to the Speaker’s move, provoking a heated exchange.
Zwozdesky shot back it was his duty to enforce the rules, which includes a mandate to rein in language that leads to disruption in the house, and to protect the reputation of officers who are not present to defend themselves.
The Speaker slammed Anderson’s remarks again Wednesday, describing them as “offensive,” “personally insulting,” and a “direct affront.” He told Anderson his decision to challenge the chair was verging on contempt, but then gave him an opportunity to withdraw and apologize for the comments.
“I withdraw and apologize for those comments,” Anderson said.
Other opposition members said they, too, feel Zwozdesky has been interjecting far too often.