A spokesperson for Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is dismissing complaints that he disrespected the legislature and public sector workers by handing out earplugs to his caucus during a debate on Bill 9 late Wednesday night.
“This was a harmless and light-hearted attempt to boost government caucus morale after being forced to listen to the NDP’s insults, lies and over-the-top rhetoric for hours on end,” Kenney’s press secretary Christine Myatt said in a written statement Thursday.
The bill delays wage reopener talks for 180,000 thousand nurses, teachers and government workers until the end of October. The NDP Official Opposition and labour leaders call the legislation an illegal attack on workers’ rights.
Labour leaders weren’t amused by the earplug stunt.
“What the UCP did last night was outrageous and insulting,” Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, said in a news release.
“They showed disrespect and contempt for both Alberta workers and the democratic process. And the bill they passed is illegal.”
Bill 9 passed third and final reading just before 7 a.m. Thursday after an all-night session.
The first reference to the earplugs came just before 11:30 p.m. when Edmonton-North West NDP MLA David Eggen remarked on them as he spoke in favour of an NDP amendment to the bill which was later defeated.
“I would beg an answer from the members opposite, although I can see that many of them are wearing bright pink earplugs that their premier is handing out to all of them right now,” Eggen told the legislature.
“Probably many of them can’t hear what I’m saying right now.”
Kenney could be seen walking around in the background as the speaker prior to Eggen, Cardston-Siksika UCP MLA Joseph Schow, was addressing the legislature.