I don't have a problem with Speaker Nathan Cooper (Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills) or Deputy Speaker Angela Pitt (Airdrie-East) signing the document with other UCP MLAs against COVID-19 restrictions.
But it was just a crass attempt to get themselves re-elected since they are hearing loudly from their constituents against the measures.
Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Pitt knew when they got elected to the speaker's/deputy speaker's jobs that they were to remain totally neutral. In respect of course of being chamber masters of Her Majesty's Legislative Assembly.
This lack of respect for Her Majesty would have ticked off His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. He would have been very ticked off at the lack of respect for his good wife, their Sovereign. Truly in bad taste, especially since we are now in the 70th year of her reign.
Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Pitt should have resigned so that a special speaker's election could be held with chair of the committees, the "defacto" Assistant Deputy Speaker and Calgary-Currie Nicholas Milliken running the vote with the provisions that Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Pitt not be able to succeed themselves. As well, that Mr. Milliken not be able to run either. In this way, he will not be biased in conducting the speaker's election.
Let me tell you, if Speakers Ken Kowalski or Bobby Wanner (or the late Gene Zwozdesky) had been in the speaker's chair, this most disgraceful and egregious error wouldn't have occurred.
Rory J. Koopmans,
Edmonton
