FAMILY FRIENDLY STATEMENT

December 13^th, 2007

Welcome to the 21^st Century.

We’ve finally made.

The composition of this legislature today is so different than it was 200 years.

We’ve got more young men.

We’ve got young women.

We’ve got members from different linguistic, religious and cultural backgrounds.

And on Tuesday this past week, we stood together.  Regardless of gender, party or region and we unanimously rallied together to make this place more reflective of who we are and where we are going as a province.

Mr. Speaker, by unanimously supporting a government motion, inspired by a resolution I tabled last Monday, we have recognized that each Member in the legislature is more than just a politician.

By forming an all-party panel with the intent of making this place more family friendly, I think we’ve embraced a new generation of thinking.This is an important time in history for this institution.

We have recognized, as stewards of this place we must also modernize, keep up with the times and make systemic changes so this legislature will be more appealing to all men and all women who are called to public service.

Thank you Mr. Speaker for your support on this initiative, as well as to all Members and in particular Mr. Speaker, our families, who love this Province as much as we do!