Speaker Nathan Cooper/courtesy AB Legislature

By Chantal Wagner

Former Alberta Speaker pens letter to current one over MLA statement

Apr 13, 2021 | 8:24 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Former Alberta Legislative Speaker and Medicine Hat MLA Bob Wanner is expressing his disappointment in Speaker Nathan Cooper for signing a statement with other MLAs.

Last week, Cooper joined several other members of Premier Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party in opposing the government’s revised health restrictions that are aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Speakers are expected to be neutral as they control debate in the house.

Cooper has since apologized.

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“In haste, I engaged in a matter of political discourse that may have raised questions about the impartiality of the chair. Upon quiet reflection and given the benefit of time, I have regret for my error in judgment,” Cooper said in the legislature on Monday.

Wanner expressed his disappointment in Cooper in a letter over the weekend regarding the two public letters sent to Cooper’s constituents and to all Albertans.

It relayed his concerns to Cooper, Kenney, and Deputy Speaker Angela Pitt who also signed the MLA statement.

Wanner said after considerable reflection, he felt it was his duty to write about Cooper’s recent public actions.

“When you go to that office you have a duty to serve that goes beyond the partisan. By signing the letter with other UCP caucus members is highly unusual, very troubling.”

Part of letter sent by Bob Wanner/courtesy Bob Wanner

Wanner says there are other options available for a Speaker to weigh in on constituents’ behalf rather than sending a mass letter on a critical health issue.

Letter continued/courtesy Bob Wanner

“He (Cooper) apologized and chose at least at this point not to seek the endorsement of the house for a confidence motion. I believe he ought to have done that to make as many corrective actions as possible for the next two years ahead,” Wanner added.

“In this city alone we have 17 people who died. Every day the numbers are going up in Medicine Hat, a regional approach I think is not the solution,” Wanner told CHAT News. “Be cautious, lets ride this out together and take care of each other and ensure that we have support for business in the future.”

(CHAT News Today)