Alberta's Wildrose object to 9 a.m. legislature sittings

[taco.vidal]

Even if the NDP is changing things midstream, it sounds like the Wildrose is being petty.

I hope this isn't a sign of how things are going to work in the legislature with this government and opposition. The Wildrose isn't helping anybody here other than themselves by seeking more time to sleep in a couple of days per week.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/poli...ertas-wildrose

Alberta’s Wildrose Opposition is gearing up for a battle over its objection to the NDP government’s proposal to convene the legislature at 9 a.m.

Government house leader Brian Mason said the province wants to extend sitting hours to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. The house would still convene at 1:30 p.m. Mondays.

“I think it’s a shame that they’re wasting so much time in this important legislative agenda because they don’t want to start work at a reasonable time in the morning,” Mason said Thursday. “Most Albertans start at nine or earlier. When I worked driving a bus, I started at 5:30 in the morning.”

Wildrose house leader Nathan Cooper said Thursday the opposition and government had an agreement to open the legislature at 10 a.m., but instead “is choosing to change the rules mid-play.”

However, the NDP, including Premier Rachel Notley, have repeatedly said they want to avoid evening sittings.

Mason said that with a young caucus — many have young families — it’s important to make the legislature be more family friendly and reduce the reliance on evening sittings.

[WhiteTiger]

Have to start work at 9am in the morning? The HORROR!

*Eyes his 6am start time...*

[llama64]

Wildrose come off like petulant children in this...

[ken0042]

Reading the NDP's reasoning makes me shake my head. Their MLAs want to start early because they have to get home to their young families? To me this is yet another example of them putting candidates in place who are not ready to govern. Outside of the MLAs who represent Edmonton ridings, how many can make it home to be with their families?

One of the reason I haven't entered politics is that I know how much of a commitment of your time it takes. If the NDP wasn't ready to do that, maybe they should find another party to govern.

Sounds like there was a schedule originally agreed upon, and now they want to change it after the fact.

[CampbellsTransgressions]

I guess the NDP are really grasping for something to make them look good, while the Wildrose are shamefully falling into a trap.

Hopefully this doesn't become big news.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by ken0042

To me this is yet another example of them putting candidates in place who are not ready to govern.

So only once someone becomes an empty nester they are ready to govern? No wonder young people aren't interested in politics and can't be bothered to vote...

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by llama64

Wildrose come off like petulant children in this...

They always come off like petulant children.

What a bunch of tools the WR is. For frig's sake, it's 9 am. Not 430 am. A whole entire hour earlier. Boo-frigging-hoo. Prime example why the WR is not ready to lead this province.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by ken0042

One of the reason I haven't entered politics is that I know how much of a commitment of your time it takes. If the NDP wasn't ready to do that, maybe they should find another party to govern.

That's one way to look at it, but in the "real world" (which the NDP is often accused being unfamiliar with), those who want to start the work day earlier aren't the slackers.

As for the Wildrose griping about this, I gotta wonder how their rural supporters feel about their reps bitching about a 9am start two days a week.

[ae118]

They don't want the NDP to have all that time to "ram through legislation"? They don't want the democratically-elected government to get to work for the residents of this province? Come on - even if they're objecting to the NDP changing from 10am to 9am, this is just sour grapes and acting in bad faith. We don't have time for this crap.

[adc]

Don't most MLAs live in their riding and commute up to Edmonton?

Are many of them going home to their families at night or at least at reasonable hours?

I don't really understand the Wildrose's objection so it does seem a little "we don't like because they do like it" but I could also do with out the "in my day I got up at 5 am to drive buses" and "won't someone think of the children" responses from the NDP.

[ken0042]

Does the article mention that they are starting their working day at 10? I was under the impression that was when the Leg was scheduled to start. I've only known a few MLAs personally, but they have all started their day preparing for the upcoming session, and other duties that they have as an MLA.

And regarding the question if only empty nesters should run- I would say that anybody running should be fully prepared to work the hours that the job requires. The one MLA who didn't know she won until the news was calling her the next morning- was she really ready if she couldn't be bothered to watch coverage of an election she was running in?

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Reading the NDP's reasoning makes me shake my head. Their MLAs want to start early because they have to get home to their young families? To me this is yet another example of them putting candidates in place who are not ready to govern. Outside of the MLAs who represent Edmonton ridings, how many can make it home to be with their families?

One of the reason I haven't entered politics is that I know how much of a commitment of your time it takes. If the NDP wasn't ready to do that, maybe they should find another party to govern.

Sounds like there was a schedule originally agreed upon, and now they want to change it after the fact.

Sorry Ken but I disagree with this. I think this change makes it possible to see family more. Does not guarantee it but makes it possible.

Reasoning: currently the Leg starts sitting at 1:30pm. An MLA is busy the entire morning - going to events, meeting with stakeholders/groups/constituents (yes even all those who represent constituencies outside of edmonton), any media, etc. And that does not even get into any prep work for Legislature, etc.

Legislature meets starting at 1:30 and goes into the evening late. So you miss going to see family (those in Edmonton and close enough surroundings) or you miss at the very least being able to call, video chat, skype, etc with kids/grandkids. Let alone if they come in for a visit.

Switch that so that the Leg sits in the morning. It goes into the afternoon/early evening that's fine. Following that they can go to events, meet with constituents, media, etc. But it gives a few min possioble to perhaps sneak home for a dinner with family if you are there, or to do the phone/video thing. And then back out to work.

And yes, I think a minor - and yes I consider this minor change - to help make politics to make it more accessible to more people makes for a better quality democracy, debate of opinions, etc.

I don't think this relates to any type of "not ready to govern" or "don't know the commitment". They are all super busy - early mornings, late days, working most of weekends, etc. Yup that's the job and the way it is. But I don't see what harm it does to make it possible - doesn't guarantee every day - but the possibility of seeing or at least chatting to family. If you have a lot of computer/paperwork to do, for e.g., why not do it at night when maybe you have the chance to have some family type interaction? I guess I don't get any of the beef surrounding this.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Does the article mention that they are starting their working day at 10? I was under the impression that was when the Leg was scheduled to start. I've only known a few MLAs personally, but they have all started their day preparing for the upcoming session, and other duties that they have as an MLA.

And regarding the question if only empty nesters should run- I would say that anybody running should be fully prepared to work the hours that the job requires. The one MLA who didn't know she won until the news was calling her the next morning- was she really ready if she couldn't be bothered to watch coverage of an election she was running in?

So in short form to my previous long answer - they know the commitment of time etc. I don't think this relates to that. Instead its re-arranging the order of things so that they might have a few minutes to interact with family - whether that's actually getting home for a quick family supper, tucking their kids in....or giving their kids or grandkids a call around supper time or even when they go to bed. OR even the opportunity to do some of their paperwork, emails, calls, etc in the evening, when again they might be at home or at least have a greater opportunity to hop on computer and video chat with their son.

Just my 2 cents anyway.

[RedHot25]

I guess the greater thing for me in all this is this really an issue the Wildrose wants to get hung up on? Is it really a hill that needs to be defended to the utmost?

Couple this with FIldebrandt's foray with the media - globe and mail article and then refusing to answer that reporter's question in a post-budget scrum - and I begin to wonder about their comms/public relations focus.

They've taken a chunk of the story off of the budget, economic situation, etc and put it onto a petty disagreement with a reporter and this "can't have the leg start in the morning instead of the afternoon".

I don't get this approach - they've spun the attention off somewhat of issues they could score points on...onto these things instead?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Reading the NDP's reasoning makes me shake my head. Their MLAs want to start early because they have to get home to their young families? To me this is yet another example of them putting candidates in place who are not ready to govern. Outside of the MLAs who represent Edmonton ridings, how many can make it home to be with their families?

One of the reason I haven't entered politics is that I know how much of a commitment of your time it takes. If the NDP wasn't ready to do that, maybe they should find another party to govern.

Sounds like there was a schedule originally agreed upon, and now they want to change it after the fact.

On what planet do people start work at 10? It's not a restaurant, it's the LA. Not sure if I'm on the wrong planet, but the people I know like to go to work on time, and GTFO afterwards. Generally speaking, the earlier you get there, the earlier you leave. Show up at 8, and leave at 4-5-6? Instead of 10 to 6-7-8? And they're not even saying 8, they're saying 9?

LOL @ the suggestion that they shouldn't govern if they have young families. And I'm pretty f'n far from an NDP supporter. Probably good that you haven't entered politics.

[robbie111]

Good to see my Wildrose objecting to draconian tactics like going to work at 9 Am.

Thanks NDP.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by llama64

Wildrose come off like petulant children in this...

Canada's answer to the Tea party.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by 4X4

On what planet do people start work at 10? It's not a restaurant, it's the LA.

Who said anything about starting work at 10? That is when that part of their job was scheduled to start. You work construction- right? If you have the electrician scheduled to work from 7-10, and ask the plumber to show up after 10, are you telling him that has to be the only thing he does that morning? Or are you avoiding scheduling conflicts.

Originally Posted by 4X4

LOL @ the suggestion that they shouldn't govern if they have young families.

Let me clarify- you should not apply and accept a job if you are not prepared to deal with the hours of work involved. Trudeau has a young family, and is prepared to work the hours required to be PM. (Which I'd think is more than an MLA.) I know many other people in politics who have also managed family life and political life.

OK, getting back to the article, the quote from the WR says "We had come to an agreement and then the order paper showed something totally different."

So my issue is that the WR and NDP had sat down and drawn out a schedule; one that they had agreed upon. I'm sure there would have been some give and take on both sides; there would have to be in order for that many people to come to an agreement. Then when it came time to officially announce the schedule, the NDP came up with one of their own. At the very least, if the NDP wanted to come up with their own, being a majority I'm sure they could have. However they sat down with the WR and came up with one; then changed their minds.

Maybe the WR wants the time to do other duties that are required with their role, or maybe as suggested they may need to commute in. Looking at the map, 85% of the ridings within an hour drive of the legislature are NDP. That makes up about half of their seats. So being able to make it home early to spend time with families only benefits the NDP.

So to summarize, my objection is with the NDP going against an agreement made; to do something that only serves their own interests.

[Kavvy]

NDP have an majority, they can show up at 9 and vote. Wildrose can show up at noon, and realize their vote doesn't mean anything for another few years.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Kavvy

NDP have an majority, they can show up at 9 and vote. Wildrose can show up at noon, and realize their vote doesn't mean anything for another few years.

And lets be honest, most of the NDP MLA's won't do any kind of real thinking or veer away from anything Notley tells them to do. They should just scrap the whole session since Notley is going to ram through whatever she wants anyway.
Like the Borg, resistance is futile, you must assimilate.