HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – After a violent attack at work, a Nova Scotia constituency assistant is calling for government funding of a second employee at legislators’ offices to counter the aggression front-line workers face at politicians’ workplaces.
Kelly Gomes, who was attacked in her constituency office on December 14, highlighted the need for additional support to ensure safety for those working in the offices of all 55 members. She stressed that neither door locks nor panic buttons can protect constituency assistants in many situations and that having someone else in the office is the best solution to ensure safety.
The public prosecution service has already charged a 47-year-old man with assault and mischief in relation to the incident. And Gomes, who plans to retire in a few months, expressed the urgency of taking measures to protect employees at these offices.
Derek Mombourquette, the Liberal Party’s house leader, expressed that the increased workload and safety risks faced by assistants in these offices warrant the added funding for a second worker in all offices. He noted the importance of this investment in keeping people safe.
In response, Deputy premier Allan MacMaster expressed concerns about the optics of providing more funding for extra help when many people are struggling with the cost of living, indicating the need to consider alternative, less costly ways to make the offices safer. NDP Leader Claudia Chender, however, disagreed with this sentiment, emphasizing the tight regulation of constituency office budgets and their use to serve the public.
In conclusion, the province’s Speaker’s office has informed members of the legislature’s management commission that the approximate annual cost for a second staff person in all 55 constituency offices would be between $4 million and $4.5 million per year, highlighting the financial investment needed to address safety concerns at these offices.