Accusations of intimidation, division mark fiery week for Alberta MLAs

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Thursday marked the end of a testy week for MLAs at the Alberta legislature that saw multiple incidents on and off of the chamber floor that resulted in accusations and counter-accusations of intimidation and division from members of both parties.

On Monday, New Democrat MLA Marlin Schmidt was accused of threatening a fellow MLA by approaching UCP member Jackie Lovely from behind in a lounge behind the chamber and confronting her.

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Lovely said Schmidt became “enraged” over a debate over a private member’s bill regarding urban parks and admonished her while blocking her path to the bathroom.

“He chased me and screamed at me in private to the point where security had to intervene,” she said, adding she urged the Edmonton-Gold Bar representative to reflect on his behaviour.

Schmidt has previously apologized for remarks made about UCP MLAs while he was a cabinet minister as well as later comments regarding the passing of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

He offered his own version of events before apologizing in the assembly on Tuesday.

“I clarified to her that it was not my intent to intimidate or make her feel threatened,” he said of the incident.

“I acknowledge that she has felt threatened and intimidated, and I sincerely regret having made her feel that way.”

Government house leader Joseph Schow described the incident as “particularly concerning” because it happened outside of the chamber.

“Members should be allowed to freely move about the precinct uninhibited without the feeling of threats of verbal or physical or otherwise. And so this is very problematic,” he said.

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Opposition leader Rachel Notley said Schmidt had apologized and accepted responsibility.

“I am pleased that apology was made and the matter is complete,” she said, noting Schow’s own missteps in the chamber, including allegations he told opposition MLA Marie Renaud to “settle down kitty cat,” and saying “deal with her or I will deal with her” in reference to NDP MLA Rakhi Pancholi, something Schow has denied saying.

‘It causes division’

On Wednesday, NDP MLA Dianna Batten rose in question period and asked Premier Smith about a report from the office of the child and youth advocate that noted nearly 75 per cent of deaths reported in the most recent 12-month period were of Indigenous children and youth.

She was heckled mid-question by UCP MLA Scott Sinclair, who is the government’s parliamentary secretary for Indigenous relations and identifies as Indigenous himself.

“Good thing you’re not Indigenous,” he said.

Batten said his remark implied as a non-Indigenous person, she was not able to understand or support Indigenous communities, a characterization she described as “disappointing.”

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“My role is to learn as much as I can about truth and reconciliation, educate myself on the horrors that have come, so that I can fight against them ever happening again, and this kind of comment makes it a very difficult situation,” she said.

“We’re trying to build so that we can work together for Albertans and this … it causes division.”

Sinclair did not deny making the remark, said he was provoked by a letter he had received from another NDP MLA that he perceived as having a “racially charged tone” in an attempt to bully him.

Postmedia sought a copy of the letter was told it could not be provided due to parliamentary privilege rules.

Sinclair described NDP policies on Indigenous issues as “out of touch” and “disingenuous.”

“I am a proud Indigenous father and a tireless advocate for real solutions to problems affecting all people in my riding, Indigenous or not,” he said.

‘Not convinced it’s the best use of our time’

Decorum on the chamber floor appeared to have not significantly improved during the week’s final sitting.

After becoming visibly frustrated during some of the week’s earlier proceedings, Speaker Nathan Cooper on Thursday spent close to 40 minutes addressing 12 points of order, which are queries raised by members believing that some rule has been broken.

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“I literally just said that,” Cooper said amid a run of four points of order that came less than three minutes apart, only to be informed that yet another point of order had been raised.

“I’m happy to make rulings for 30, 40, 50 minutes following question period.,” he said, in urging for calm.

“I’m not convinced it’s the best use of our time. I hope members will take some time to be reflective on that.”

MLAs are next scheduled to return to the legislature on Monday.

mblack@postmedia.com

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