Arviat MLA speaks about being speaker of the House
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Feb 26/01) - It's possible to think of Kevin O'Brien as the Nunavut legislature's referee.
When regular MLAs go against cabinet ministers in the legislative assembly, figurative elbows fly and verbal slapshots zing across the room.
 Kevin O'Brien |
He guides the conversation and debate among MLAs, and ensures the rules of the game of politics are followed.
He must also be impartial and not pick favourites.
But being the Speaker also means it's a little harder to do his job as the Arviat MLA.
O'Brien, as Speaker, is not permitted to join the fray and debate issues.
So, the once fiery MLA isn't able to raise his constituents' concern in the House.
But put all fears aside O'Brien said -- that doesn't mean he isn't conveying Arviat's concerns to the House.
"A convention has been in place for hundreds of years where it's understood the Speaker will deal with the premier and the ministers directly," said O'Brien.
He said it is as simple as calling up the cabinet minister with the solution to whatever the concern or issue might be and arranging a time to discuss the matter.
But there is a certain appeal to jumping into a heated debate.
"I didn't make a habit of carrying my tongue in my pocket. "I always said what I wanted to say and raised the issues," said O'Brien.
"But it can be done just as easily through calm, collected conversation in the privacy of a minister's office.
"I find it more effective because I have easier access to them, without the jumping up and down in the House," he said. "The House sometimes is a bit of a theatre. But, that's politics."
All in all, O'Brien said feels he is doing a good job of representing his constituents.
