Bill No. 189 - House of Assembly Act. - Second Reading

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, it's my privilege to rise and say a few words about this bill which I think brings some needed clarity to the process for sitting members who seek office in another order of government.

I think all of us in this Chamber have experienced the sort of leap of faith that it takes to decide to run for office. It should be no different if any of us, or our colleagues in other orders of government - which I think will be dealt with in a complementary bill - decide to run for a different office. I think we hear much derision around so-called career politicians, and I think my own sense of the work we do in this Chamber is it is in fact incredibly important.

It's also incredibly important that the public holds the work that we do, and the people who do the work, in the highest esteem possible and that we earn the public's trust over and over again as we sit here in our seats.

I see this legislation as providing clarity - providing definition - both to elected members, but also to the public in how their elected members conduct themselves in this particular situation and what the clear path is for going forward. I acknowledge the minister's remarks. I think there was some lack of clarity previously, so without casting aspersions on anyone, I think clarity is always welcome in the legislative context.

We are pleased to see these, and I look forward to hearing from anyone who presents at the Committee on Law Amendments.