Service NL Minister Sherry Gambin-Walsh says she’s only going to be inside the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature when necessary, because the atmosphere is “tense” among MHAs.
“I’m finding it difficult in the House of Assembly when the member for Humber-Bay of Islands (Eddie Joyce) is present,” Gambin-Walsh said Wednesday.
“I asked the premier and the Speaker if it was OK if I stepped out of the House, other than for question period and legislation and during debate, until this is over. Both of them approved.”
Gambin-Walsh says Joyce approached her in the House of Assembly on Tuesday to discuss the report by Commissioner for Legislative Standards Bruce Chaulk. Gambin-Walsh says she was taken back by the approach.
“I realized that I don’t have to put myself through this. I can wait until we go through this process,” she said.
She says she has been receiving “mixed” support from colleagues on both sides of the floor.
Joyce did not respond to requests for comment by members of the media before deadline.
Amidst it all, Gambin-Walsh says she intends to stay in the Liberal party and remain as MHA for as long as she can.
Debate moving ahead
Debate on the five harassment reports should proceed by next week.
On Wednesday, Government House Leader Andrew Parsons moved a motion to have Chaulk come to the floor of the House of Assembly to answer questions by MHAs, in hopes of allowing debate on the reports to happen soon.
As previously reported, it’s unclear whether investigators from Rubin Thomlinson will be able to make the trip to speak directly with MHAs, as requested by a private member’s motion on Oct. 24.
Essentially, MHAs want answers to any questions about the investigative process before debating the reports, to ensure they have a full understanding. Joyce and Dale Kirby, along with the complainants, will have a chance to question Chaulk as well.
Without Rubin Thomlinson’s investigators, Chaulk could come to the floor next week.
The current proposal will see Chaulk come to the floor of the House, with each MHA having 10 minutes to ask questions. A total of 400 minutes (or just about six hours and 20 minutes) of debate will be allowed under the proposal.
MHAs will debate the proposal on Thursday, with the potential for Chaulk to come to the floor as early as Monday.
Should Rubin Thomlinson investigators be able to make it to the province, a similar process will likely be proposed.
“We’re still in a situation where we have not confirmed whether they will be appearing or are able to appear,” said Parsons.
“There’s a sense among House leaders that everyone wants to move forward. That’s where our heads are. There’s no reason Mr. Chaulk cannot appear.”
The proposal has no bearing on the eventual debate of the reports. Each report will get its own debate, which could go on for days.
Opposition House Leader Keith Hutchings says he can only hope MHAs are satisfied with questioning Chaulk, should Rubin Thomlinson personnel be unable to attend.
“There was unanimous agreement on having them come here. I think, in totality, that would be the best avenue,” said Hutchings.
“For the sake of everyone concerned, we need to move this forward.”
Third Party House Leader Lorraine Michael says it’s unfortunate the process has faced a delay, but it’s a complicated situation.
“That’s reality. The harassment issue was put on the table and now we’re in a process of dealing with it. We have to make sure the process is well done,” she said.
“We’re dealing with something new. There are no rules to help us.”
Twitter: DavidMaherNL
