House Speaker chides Fletcher for revealing legislature evacuation security details

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This article was published 26/10/2017 (2961 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Speaker Myrna Driedger criticized independent MLA Steven Fletcher Thursday afternoon for divulging security measures following the Oct. 5 evacuation of the Manitoba Legislative Building.

Driedger told the House, in raising questions about that evacuation, Fletcher placed on the public record the muster points at which the cabinet and MLAs assemble whenever there is a sudden need to leave the building.

Fletcher should be cautious about revealing such information, Driedger said. The MLA for Assiniboia was not present when the Speaker issued her report.

Fletcher had told the House government members could be vulnerable to harassment and intimidation from protesters in such circumstances, but in doing so, he identified exactly where cabinet and other MLAs had been gathered outside the building.

Said Driedger: “I would urge caution in raising such issues on the record, as they could unintentionally share information that could be detrimental, such as noting the location of certain members, while the security sweep was taking place.”

The building was emptied Oct. 5 after a telephone threat was received. Nothing suspicious was found and no one was injured, but the legislative session was cut by 90 minutes.

Driedger ruled Fletcher’s privileges as an MLA were not violated, but there will be a serious examination of security procedures. “I can assure members that steps will be taken. We plan to be exhaustive.”

She said building evacuation plans will be enhanced and refined.

Fletcher, who uses a motorized wheelchair, had complained Oct. 10: “The pathway to the exit was unclear to many of us, or some of us. Particularly, the elevators were not operative and it took some time to determine which elevator was working and it turned out that that elevator ended up being almost too small.”

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca