HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – After a violent attack on a constituency assistant, there is a call for increased safety measures in legislators’ offices. Kelly Gomes, who has been working as a constituency assistant for the past four years, was attacked in her office on Dec. 14. The incident has sparked a debate on the need for additional safety measures in legislative offices.
During the attack, a teenage student doing a work term at the office of Brendan Maguire, the Liberal member of the legislature for Halifax Atlantic, intervened and threatened to call the police, saving Gomes from further harm. However, the attacker caused significant damage to the office before leaving.
Gomes believes that current safety measures, such as door locks and panic buttons, are insufficient in protecting constituency assistants. As a result, she is advocating for the government to approve funding for a second employee in the offices of all 55 members. Proponents of this idea argue that having an additional staff member would enhance safety and provide support in case of emergencies.
Derek Mombourquette, the Liberal Party’s house leader, has announced that he will present his party’s position for the added funding at the legislature’s management commission. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of constituency assistants and the need for additional resources to ensure their well-being in the workplace.
The violent attack on Kelly Gomes has prompted an urgent call for increased safety measures in legislators’ offices. The incident has ignited a debate about the best ways to protect constituency assistants and ensure a safe working environment in legislative offices. The proposal for additional funding to hire a second employee at the offices of all 55 members is being considered as a potential solution to enhance safety and support for constituency assistants.