House of Assembly reopens with a new face and he's only 12 days old

The House of Assembly reopenedMonday after a one-week hiatus, and while Premier Andrew Furey still officially can't be on the floor of the legislature, there was a new face in the legislature.

Mount ScioMHASarah Stoodleygave birth to her son Alexander 12 days ago. On Monday, she was back at her desk in the House, with her baby in a carrier.

It was a historic moment, since it was Stoodley who pushed for a change in the legislationto allow this very thing to happen.

"It's a huge honour. he was very well behaved," she told reporters Monday, as she patted Alexander's back.

"If someone is thinking about running but, you know, hesitant because potentially they might have kids, then hopefully this helps them consider that."

Stoodleyhad reached out to the clerk of the House of Assembly over the summer, to give notice that she was pregnant and the wheels were set in motion to allow children to join their parents on the job.The Department of Transportation and Works also added change tables to the washrooms.

The legislative change, to allow babies on the House of Assembly floor, was unanimously approved in mid-September, and Stoodley received a standing ovation after her speech.

While Alexander got to watch question period from the floor, Premier Andrew Fureydid not. While hewon the byelection in Humber-Gros Mornedistricton Oct. 6, he has not yet been sworn in as an MHA.

The earliest that could happen is Thursday,because the results are published in the Gazette 12 cleardays after the official count of the votes in the byelection, according to Bruce Chaulk, commissioner of legislative standards.

The official count was Oct. 9.

The details of Furey's swearing-in ceremony are expected to be available in the next day or two, his office said.

Speaker on 'schoolgirl' comment

House Speaker Scott Reid kicked off Monday's legislative session by addressinga controversy that simmered last week.

He ruled that ConceptionBay South MHA Barry Pettendid not breach privilege when he referred to MHALisa Dempsteras"cackling like a schoolgirl."

The incident happened during a debate ofa private member's motion to push the next general election to October 2021.

Petten said Dempster,whose cabinet duties include the status of women portfolio, was "cackling over there like a schoolgirl."

Dempster called out Petten the next day, in an emotional speech delivered ahead of question period.

"Using the term 'schoolgirl,' with the intent to belittle, condescend and scold was wrong, and it was a breach of privilege," Dempster said, her voice breaking at times.

"The words we choose impact our attitudes, actions and behaviour toward women."

Petten apologized after Dempster's statement, as he had the prior day.

"I do offer my sincere apologies. That's not who I am. I do feel very unfortunate that she feels that way, and I do withdraw my remarks."

Usually,when a MHAapologizes and withdraws remarks the matter is over, Reidsaid last week, but he wanted to review the transcripts and look into the issue further.

While no breach of privilege happened and Petten already apologized, Reid noted, he urged MHAs to be respectful of eachother.

"I ask all honourable members to examine the language they use in the House and to ensure it is temperate, appropriate and respectful," Reid said.

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