The Canadian Scene 

This entry is part 4 of 13 in the series Vol 48 No. 2 (Summer)

The Canadian Scene 

New Alberta Speaker

On May 13, 2025, Calgary-Hays MLA Ric McIver was elected by his peers to serve as Alberta’s 15th Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The election for a new Speaker was called when the former Speaker Nathan Cooper accepted a new role in Washington DC as a provincial trade representative for Alberta.

Following the election, Speaker McIver told Members that he was grateful for the honour. He added, “I’m committed to everybody on both sides, to honour the traditions of this place, to be nonpartisan, and to help us get through the business of the day every day. You know what? If we have a little fun, great. Not too much fun. Better fun than nastiness. When that happens, we’ll deal with that, too. It’s all part of what we do here. I’m just so grateful.”

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Constituency Office Business Continuity Planning: Alberta MLAs and Staff Share Stories From Wildfire Evacuations

This entry is part 11 of 11 in the series Vol. 47 No. 4 (Winter)

Constituency Office Business Continuity Planning: Alberta MLAs and Staff Share Stories From Wildfire Evacuations

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The Canadian Scene 

This entry is part 9 of 11 in the series Vol. 47 No. 4 (Winter)

The Canadian Scene 

New Nova Scotia Speaker

Danielle  Barkhouse  (MLA  for  Chester- St. Margaret’s) was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia on September 5, 2024 over Lisa Lachance (Halifax Citadel-Sable Island) and Rafah DiCostanzo (Clayton Park West).

Speaker Barkhouse had served as Deputy Speaker since November 3, 2022.

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International Perspectives On Constituency Office Safety

This entry is part 7 of 11 in the series Vol. 47 No. 4 (Winter)

International Perspectives On Constituency Office Safety

After a decades-long political career in the United Kingdom, on January 31, 2024, Conservative Member of Parliament Mike Freer announced he would not be running for re-election. In his announcement, which came five weeks after the firebombing of his constituency office, Freer cited ongoing threats to his personal safety as precipitating his departure. In this interview, Freer recounts the events that led up to his early political retirement, outlines some of the personal security precautions he employed while a high-profile target, and offers advice to Canadian parliamentarians who are concerned about their personal safety in their homes, constituencies, and constituency offices.

Interview with Mike Freer

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Security Measures In Riding Offices: Responsibilities And Challenges

This entry is part 6 of 11 in the series Vol. 47 No. 4 (Winter)

Security Measures In Riding Offices: Responsibilities And Challenges

In response to an increase in the number and seriousness of threats directed against elected officials, Quebec’s Assemblée nationale mandated its security directorate to enhance protective measures both in the parliamentary precinct and in the province’s 161 main and satellite riding offices. In this article, the author outlines how the directorate’s advice, security screening, and the introduction of new physical infrastructure have assisted the Assemblée nationale’s goal of strengthening its security culture.

Nathalie Roy

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Consistent Constituency Offices: The Case For Minimum Standards Of Records Management and Maintenance

This entry is part 5 of 11 in the series Vol. 47 No. 4 (Winter)

Consistent Constituency Offices: The Case For Minimum Standards Of Records Management and Maintenance

When a parliamentarian is defeated, retires, or otherwise creates a vacancy, what happens to their constituent case files? Are they shredded? Transferred to the next parliamentarian? Returned to the constituent? Stored someplace for an indeterminate period? Who gets to decide where these documents and this information goes? Parliamentarians who may experience partisan control while in their legislatures tend to have greater independence and freedom to manage constituency matters that come through their office. But this freedom can create havoc for constituents and tie up limited resources if their successor must rebuild the file from scratch. Establishing minimum requirements for constituent records management and maintenance can provide a sense of stability, continuity, and institutional memory when there is turnover of elected officials. In this article, the author explains why the current independent business model of constituency offices ought to be replaced by a regulated professional model that better serves the interests of constituents while still protecting a parliamentarian’s independence and ability to innovate or customise service delivery.

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