HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Following a violent attack on a Nova Scotia constituency assistant, there are calls for the government to fund a second employee at legislators’ offices to address the aggression faced by front-line workers. Kelly Gomes, who was attacked in her constituency office, is advocating for increased staffing to improve safety for political workers.
Gomes described the harrowing experience of being held by the throat against a hallway wall by a man she had previously assisted. She believes that the presence of a teenage student doing a work term at the office of the Liberal member of the legislature for Halifax Atlantic prevented the situation from escalating further.
The perpetrator was arrested and charged with assault and mischief after causing damage to the office. Gomes highlighted the vulnerability of constituency assistants and emphasized the need for additional staff to ensure safety and security.
Derek Mombourquette, the Liberal Party’s house leader, plans to present the party’s position to the legislature’s management commission in support of increased funding. He stressed the importance of investing in the safety of political workers, citing reports of rising aggression and safety risks in constituency offices.
Similar incidents of aggression have been reported in other Canadian provinces, leading to calls for additional funding to improve security in political offices. In Nova Scotia, the estimated annual cost for a second staff person in all 55 constituency offices would be between $4 million and $4.5 million per year.
The debate over increased funding for constituency offices is ongoing, with concerns raised about optics and public perception. Deputy premier Allan MacMaster expressed reservations about the cost, while NDP Leader Claudia Chender expressed hope that the management commission would carefully consider the proposal.
The safety and security of political workers in Nova Scotia continues to be a topic of discussion, with conflicting perspectives on the best approach to address these issues.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Jan. 11, 2024.