Speaker of the House Shane Thompson on Monday urged the territory’s politicians to do better as he addressed a recent complaint from one MLA about another.
Finance minister Caroline Wawzonek told the speaker last week that she felt a Facebook post by Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart had put “a chill on all relationships as elected officials and on our ability to communicate one-on-one.”
After losing a vote when two regular MLAs sided with cabinet, Testart had written: “As long as cabinet has their supporters in line, the entire process is little more than accountability theatre while backroom deals are being made.”
Speaker Thompson ruled on Monday that the post did not rise to the level where his intervention was required, though he said Facebook posts and other statements outside the legislature “easily could” result in action being taken.
“There can be real consequences to words spoken or typed outside these proceedings,” he told MLAs.
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Thompson said there had been a “concerning” number of recent complaints by MLAs about each other, and said he had been “spoken to numerous times on the street here and in my own riding” by residents who did not enjoy the apparent conduct of their elected officials.
“I expect more of you,” he told MLAs.
“We’re here to work together for the benefit of all people. We were not elected to quarrel and bicker.
“There will be times when you will not see eye to eye. That is to be expected and is part of the healthy tension that exists between regular members and cabinet.
“However, this tension is not an excuse to be rude or misrepresent information.”
