The Newfoundland and Labrador legislature should follow British Columbia’s lead.
On Thursday, politicians in Canada’s most western province voted in favour of allowing children on the floor of the legislature.
The move was met by emotion from MLAs like Linda Reid, one of that house’s longest-serving members.
When she was elected 27 years ago, the Liberal said there were no maternity leave provisions and the building wasn’t female friendly.
“When I arrived here in 1991, there wasn’t even a washroom on the second floor,” Reid was quoted as saying by The Canadian Press.
She recalled inquiring about having a women’s washroom near the chamber and being asked “How long are women going to be elected?”
Her response: “Long enough to go to the bathroom.”
There was no maternity leave for provincial politicians when Reid’s daughter was born 18 years ago and she ended up returning to the legislature days after giving birth.
An opposition member would often hold Reid’s little girl in the hallway during debates or proceedings.
Reid said she lobbied for improved maternity leave after her daughter told a pre-school that she lived in a castle-like home with a rose garden and hundreds of parking spaces.
“I’ve spent my career supporting women who are seeking public office,” she said. “No question, it’s important to me. I believe we can continue some very good work here. Accommodations are necessary in this place, and the motion today, I believe, is a gesture of welcome. I want every single person who has a child to be welcome in this place.”
Michelle Mungall, B.C.’s energy minister, was also emotional about the decision to allow children in the legislature.
She’s expecting later this year.
“I look forward to bringing the little one into the house,” Mungall said.
There’s another potential benefit to allowing children in the House. It might actually clean up decorum. The back-and-forth between members is, at times, not fit for anyone’s ears, let alone a child’s.
It’s fitting that B.C. voted for this on International Women’s Day.
It’s the second province to permit children on the floor of the legislature.
Alberta was the first.
Newfoundland and Labrador should be the next.
It’s the right thing to do — for existing members of the House of Assembly and for future generations of N.L. politicians.
Such a move would make life easier for current MHAs and hopefully entice more female candidates to run in next year’s election.
This province desperately needs more women in office.
There’s another potential benefit to allowing children in the House. It might actually clean up decorum. The back-and-forth between members is, at times, not fit for anyone’s ears, let alone a child’s.
Having children present might actually make the legislature less childish as well as a kinder, more productive place.
This is a no-brainer and it’s long overdue. Let the children in.
We hope to see this move announced in this province in Tuesday’s speech from the throne.
St. John’s City Hall should follow suit.
