Kinew’s debut as NDP leader caps off bizarre day at Manitoba Legislature

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This article was published 05/10/2017 (2981 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

New NDP Leader Wab Kinew finally got to ask a question and maverick independent MLA Steven Fletcher seemed to get what he wanted, but little business got done in another bizarre day at the Manitoba legislature.

The legislative building was evacuated for close to 90 minutes just before 3 p.m., after Speaker Myrna Driedger told the house there was a security threat in the public gallery.

Premier Brian Pallister later told reporters there was a phone threat, but did not elaborate. He said too much attention to the incident could lead to “repeat activity.”

After emergency crews gave the all-clear, MLAs briefly returned to their seats, put off the rest of business until Tuesday, and called it a day.

There were about 10 minutes of question period remaining, plus a late-afternoon session devoted to debating government bills when the security alert abruptly ended Thursday’s business. Politicians and building staff poured out of the building’s four exits when the fire alarm sounded.

On Wednesday, virtually no government business got done as MLAs returned to the legislature after the summer break for their first sitting day of the fall.

Fletcher (Assiniboia), who was removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus in June for opposing government policies, disrupted proceedings with a series of privilege motions that lasted until the House rose at 5 p.m.

Government and Opposition politicians wondered before Thursday’s session began whether he would monopolize the legislature once again.

However, Fletcher signalled to reporters beforehand it was unlikely he would repeat Wednesday’s antics. He was aware provincial Justice Minister Heather Stefanson would be tabling an amendment to the Legislative Assembly Act, which would repeal a ban on MLAs crossing the floor to join another party between elections.

The ban had been one of Fletcher’s complaints and the source of a court action the former Conservative MP has launched to declare such legislative provisions unconstitutional.

Kinew’s moment delayed

Kinew’s debut in question period as Opposition leader was delayed Thursday by House business that had accumulated the day before.

Before he got to ask his first question of Pallister, there were several ministerial and member’s statements, including congratulations to the Winnipeg Goldeyes on their second consectutive American Association baseball championship. Team owner and former Winnipeg mayor Sam Katz was among the guests in the public gallery.

When his moment finally came, Kinew concentrated his questioning on the closing of hospital emergency rooms and the government’s musings about introducing health-care premiums.

When everyone in the building was outside, Pallister told an impromptu scrum on the front lawn he was informed the building’s evacuation was ordered after a “phone threat.”

“I understand this is a consequence of somebody making some kind of an idle threat. The world is a strange place sometimes and it’s disappointing,” he told reporters.

Police cars and officers surrounded the stately building, while an ambulance, a string of fire trucks and a hazardous-material response unit vehicle lined the north side of Broadway.

Pallister referred to the perpetrator or perpetrators as “pranksters,” and he expressed concern the massive response may encourage copycats.

Platoon fire chief Barry Carpenter briefed reporters the initial call was about a toxic smell. “It was upgraded to a suspicious package,” which led to an investigation which included the bomb squad.

Nothing was found and no one was injured, said Carpenter. “Given the situations that happen in the world, we have to take these precautions.”

Security measures

Ironically, Driedger and Justice Minister Heather Stefanson had announced earlier in the day that new security measures would soon be introduced at the legislative building.

Stefanson said there is “a possibility” metal detectors could be installed at the front entrance, but added a decision on potential measures would be made by a working group of legislative assembly and Justice Department staff.

“I think we’ll see some changes fairly quickly,” she said before the security scare.

The government passed legislation earlier this year, which comes into effect Saturday, to establish the position of director of legislative security.

Security officers at the legislature will be given peace officer status. They will be authorized to use force, if necessary, to refuse entry or to evict someone for a variety of reasons, including refusing to verify identity.

The new legislation also authorizes building security to enter into information-sharing arrangements with police and government agencies. It also allows the registrar of motor vehicles to share vehicle-licensing information with legislative security officers.

“This truly is the people’s House and it is our solemn duty to keep it safe,” said Stefanson.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca