Nova Scotia considers code of conduct for legislature
The Nova Scotia legislature may soon have an MLA code of conduct.
Premier Stephen McNeil says he's asked the House Speaker to have a committee look into the idea.
The potential code of conduct would govern the behaviours of MLAs and would include details such as what would happen to them if they were accused of sexual harassment.
"We believe there should be a code that applies to the House of Assembly. There are people now who believe that is properly in place. We're going to confirm that through this committee. If not we'll make sure there is one," McNeil said Wednesday.
"The most important piece is that no matter where you work in this province, whether it's in the House of Assembly, whether you work for government or work in the private sector environment, that if you feel that your safety has been questioned or you feel vulnerable, that you have a recourse to go through."
New Democratic Party Leader Maureen MacDonald said incidents of sexual harassment do happen — and she's proof of it.
"It was a long time ago and it's all water under the bridge," she said.
MacDonald said another member of the legislature violated her personal space in a way she wasn't comfortable with many years ago. She would not disclose who did it or what occurred, but said she dealt with it personally at the time.
MacDonald understands not everyone is able to do that and said that's why she supports a code of ethics for MLAs.
"I wouldn't want that to happen to any other elected member, nor to any of the staff people, male or female in this place," said MacDonald.
MacDonald said there has always been a question about what authority oversees the House of Assembly where pages, security guards, government staffers and others work.
McNeil said that when his party was in opposition, it brought forward a workplace ethics bill for the house, but it was defeated by the other parties. Now, the New Democrats and Tories say they support the idea.
"When I worked at the credit union, we were operating under a code of conduct. I think most private employers now do. This place should have the best one of all," said Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie.
