Debate in legislature leads to ousting of NDP MLA, ‘vile’ comments on Margaret Thatcher
Posted July 9, 2020 8:05 am.
Last Updated July 9, 2020 9:55 am.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – A ruckus in the Alberta legislature led to the ousting of one MLA and another called out for “vile” comments.
During a debate on Bill 30, St. Albert NDP MLA Marie Renaud was kicked out of the legislature for what the speaker called insulting comments.
“I have never, ever worked in a place where I’ve had to deal with the non-verbal stuff that goes on, the intimidation stuff that goes on. I have never, as an adult, worked in a place where I had to deal with this stuff,” said Renaud.
We are elected to represent people in #ableg. We’re there to debate, to propose amendments, to ask questions. It is unacceptable that a male UCP MLA feels so emboldened that he has no problem with outright workplace intimidation when I’m doing my job. Has to stop.
— Marie Renaud (@MarieFrRenaud) July 9, 2020
Acting speaker and Calgary-Currie UCP MLA Nicholas Milliken immediately responded.
“I think that it is quite clear that we have entered into an area of the debate which I think is intended to cause disorder and is of an insulting nature.”
After refusing to apologize, Renaud was asked to leave the legislature.
Renaud did not clarify what non-verbal actions she was referring to.
Meanwhile, Edmonton-Gold Bar NDP MLA Marlin Schmidt took aim at former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, seven years after her death.
“Before I continue to go on, just let me say that I am no fan of Margaret Thatcher. If nothing else goes right for me in the day, I can at least count on enjoying the fact that Margaret Thatcher is still dead.”
Schmidt went on to say he regrets Thatcher didn’t die 30 years earlier.
He immediately apologized after the speaker called him out for the comment.
In a tweet, Premier Jason Kenney described Schmidt’s behaviour as “vile.”
Margaret Thatcher was one of the greatest leaders of the last century.
Regardless of one’s politics, it‘s vile to celebrate her death, as the NDP did today
This former NDP Minister says he‘s “enjoying the fact that Margaret Thatcher is still dead” but it was “30 years too late” pic.twitter.com/TGT4di6x8Y
— Jason Kenney ???????????????????????? (@jkenney) July 8, 2020
