While touting international successes to an audience at Cameco, Trade and Export Minister Jeremy Harrison was asked about about walking out of the Legislature last week after being asked to apologize by the Speaker for a second time. He had made a comment under his breath, which the Speaker heard. Instead of apologizing, he walked out.

Earlier, Speaker Randy Weekes had mentioned that he was receiving hundreds of text messages from several MLAs and he read one aloud from the Finance Minister which stated the Speaker had lied and was tarnishing people’s reputation. Minister Harrison explained that things get heated in the Chamber.

He was asked if cell phones should be allowed during legislative proceedings. Harrison replied that he doesn’t know of any other assembly that has that kind of rule and there has been no discussion about this through the House Services Committee and the Board of Internal Economy. He added though, that he wouldn’t rule out changes in the long term.

The Trade and Export Minister explained that one of the things not always seen in the Chamber is the amount of coordination it takes to make it work properly, so the opposition, the government and the Speaker are in constant communication.