Woman kicked out of public gallery
Coady calls out politicians’ behaviour
Speaker Derek Bennett started Thursday’s sitting in the legislature by explaining some rules, but they were soon broken.
He told the public gathered in the gallery they weren’t allowed to participate in the politicians’ debate by showing either favour or disapproval.
Seated in the gallery were people from the tent city encampment, and fish harvesters who have been there all week protesting for free enterprise and a fair deal on snow crab pricing.
It was the day before International Women’s Day. Of the 28 legislators present, seven — one-quarter — were women.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Women and Gender Equality Minister Pam Parsons stood to recognize the occasion.
“This day serves as a reminder of the incredible strides made towards gender equality, while recognizing there is still work to do,” she said.
“Today I wish to honour the resilience, strength, and determination of women in this province who have shattered glass ceilings, challenged stereotypes, and paved the way for future generations.”
Opposition critic Helen Conway Ottenheimer responded to the statement by first thanking the trailblazers who shine a light on the barriers and disparities that women still face.
”It is imperative that our government lead by way of example to achieve gender equality,” she said.
“Unfortunately, this government’s record with pay equity legislation has been fraught with delays, inadequacies, and disappointment. We therefore implore our government to respond to the calls for action for effective legislation that will serve and advance the cause of gender equality in our province.
“That just doesn’t exist today,” Conway Ottenheimer said as she looked sternly across the aisle at the governing Liberals.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn agreed with Parsons that there is still work to do to achieve gender equality.
“Women across this province need pay equity legislation that doesn’t fail them,” he said.
FAMILIES CAN’T AFFORD FUNERALS
During question period, Tory MHA Craig Pardy asked about the dead bodies piling up in freezer units outside the Health Sciences Centre. He said the rising cost of living is leaving families with less money for funerals.
He asked Children, Seniors and Social Development (CSSD) Minister Paul Pike why he didn’t address this issue before it reached this point.
Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Siobhan Coady stood to answer the question.
“Ohhhh!” some Tories shouted.
“This is a very complex situation we have here,” Coady began.
“Let the minister answer,” some Tories said.
“Going to have another new minister next week, will you?” some Tory MHAS laughed, referring to the recent change in Pike’s portfolio which handed his responsibility for housing to newly elected MHA Fred Hutton.
There was also laughter in the public gallery.
‘THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH IN THE HOUSE’
Government House Leader John Hogan said the Tories need to recognize that Coady is the deputy premier.
“I am trying to give an answer. If the member opposite would at least give me the courtesy of listening to my answer,” Coady said.
“International Women’s Day is tomorrow and this is what we have to put up with in the House of Assembly. It’s ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous,” she said, amid indistinguishable shouting which, after a short while, Bennett interrupted.
“We can waste the rest of question period arguing back and forth if you want,” Bennett said.
“I think the females in my personal family would be very disappointed that you used that card here in debate,” Pardy replied.
“Yep!” a woman in the public gallery shouted.
Two women seated next to her cheered.
“I asked the minister of CSSD,” Pardy said.
“How did he not act on the rates paid to the families, realizing … that they were insufficient and causing families to make this very difficult decision to abandon their loved one?” he said.
“I’m disappointed that he doesn’t realize that the courtesy should be to the minister of finance to answer a financial question,” Coady said.
She then went on to explain there’s a million dollars in the fund, and it’s not fully subscribed.
Pardy said the amount of government assistance to help families with cremation and burial costs hasn’t changed in 20 years.
FAILED COMMITMENT
NDP Leader Jim Dinn said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure John Abbott committed to having people who are living in tents out of the cold by Christmas Eve.
“In the gallery we have about a dozen people who still call tent city outside the Colonial Building home,” Dinn said.
“What does the minister have to say to these people for failing to live up to that commitment?”
Abbott said he and Hutton visited the encampment earlier in the day to ask what their needs were and how the government could support them.
“I know, with certainty, that we have placed quite a number of individuals right through the fall and through the winter. We will continue to do that,” Abbott said.
CONCERN FOR TENT CITY RESIDENTS
Dinn asked Hutton if he would introduce legislation declaring housing a fundamental human right.
As Hutton stood to answer, a woman in the gallery shouted down at him.
“Say it to them!” she said, gesturing toward the tent city residents.
“I remind the people in the gallery you are not allowed to participate,” Bennett said.
“We’ve spent this entire week focusing on making sure that everybody has somewhere to stay each and every night,” Hutton said, explaining about his visit to tent city.
“Liar!” another woman in the gallery shouted.
“Oh, c’mon,” said someone among the Liberals.
Hutton provided a phone number that people can call for help: 1-833-724-2444. It’s the emergency housing line.
“Nobody needs to sleep outdoors or in a tent tonight,” he said.
“Have you ever called that number yourself?” the woman shouted.
Bennett asked to have the woman removed from the public gallery. As she started to leave, question period expired.