Bubble Zone Legislation - Presenting and Reading Petitions

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Dartmouth South.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, may I make an introduction?

THE SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : In the gallery opposite is Megan Boudreau who's joined us today. Megan is a third-year psychology student at Saint Mary's University. After seeing anti-choice protests outside the Women's Choice Clinic at the Victoria General Hospital, she started this petition all by herself to fight for bubble zone legislation.

I'm honoured to table that petition today. Please join me in welcoming Megan to the Legislature. (applause)

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Dartmouth South.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition regarding the implementation of a bubble zone law, the operative clause of which reads:

"We, the undersigned, ask the Government of Nova Scotia to pass bubble zone legislation to put a safe distance between protestors and patients. The legislation should prohibit interference within a defined access zone (to be determined by regulations) around a hospital, a clinic, a service provider's office or residence, or a premises prescribed by the regulations."

I believe there are 150 signatures and, Mr. Speaker, I have affixed my signature to the petition, as well.

THE SPEAKER « » : The petition is tabled.