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Renaud's ejection from legislative chamber under review

Renaud was engaging in debate on Bill 30, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, when she referenced physical gestures and mocking she said a UCP MLA directed toward her. She refused to apologize for her comments and was ejected from the chamber by acting speaker Nick Milliken.
Renaud Marie

The Speaker of Alberta's legislative assembly has been asked to review Wednesday's ejection of St. Albert MLA Marie Renaud from the legislative chamber.

Renaud was ejected from the chamber Wednesday night after she refused to apologize for saying a UCP member was behaving in a physically intimidating manner.

Renaud was engaging in debate on Bill 30, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, when she referenced physical gestures and mocking she said a UCP MLA directed toward her.

"I've never, ever worked in a place where I've had to deal with the nonverbal stuff that goes on, the intimidation stuff that goes on – I have never, as an adult, worked in a place that I've had to deal with this stuff," she said in the chamber.

Renaud later told the Gazette the MLA in question was Shane Getson, representative for Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland.

Getson's constituency office provided an emailed response, providing a quote from Getson and informing the Gazette was informed he was not available for an interview.

"I was indeed listening to Ms. Renaud’s speech. And as one often does, I was watching the MLA who was speaking. In no way did I “intimidate” – as others in the Chamber will attest – and I strongly reject any allegation that I did," the quote read.

Getson said he appreciated Renaud retracting the allegation and because she retracted it, he considers the matter closed.

Renaud said Wednesday's treatment was humiliating.

"It's targeted intimidation," she said of the behaviour she alleged Getson engaged in.

"You know what it is when you feel it and see it. They use their body to make gestures or they (mock) you – if I use my hand to say something, they will do that too. They just laugh and mock, and it's using your body, these physical movements, that are just – it's just intimidating."

Renaud said these kinds of actions have been going on for a long time, but she decided to call it out Wednesday.

"It just got to the point where I had been debating the bill, and it had been going on for most of the 15 minutes I had been speaking, and it was just enough. Although I understand the job, and the intensity of the job, no workplace should feel unsafe for people," she said.

"I don't think this kind of workplace harrassment or intimidation would be tolerated in any other worksite. There's no reason why it should be tolerated here."

She added this sort of behaviour won't help attract women to politics.

Renaud said she met with Speaker Nathan Cooper, the UCP MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, and the incident is under review.


Jennifer Henderson

About the Author: Jennifer Henderson

Jennifer Henderson is the editor of the St. Albert Gazette and has been with Great West Media since 2015
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