A decision by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association to appeal a ruling that upheld the province’s controversial travel ban made it to the floor of the House of Assembly today.
Health Minister John Haggie says he’s not the least bit surprised that the court decision has been appealed.
He noted cases of COVID-19 are not going away, and in fact have been more frequent of late. As a result, he says health officials will continue to hold fast on the restrictions that are in place until the courts say otherwise.
Haggie said it can’t be denied that the current rules for travel and movement, at least in Newfoundland and Labrador, continue to work. He indicates that will be the case as long as people continue to adhere to them, particularly those returning to the province from outside the Atlantic Bubble.
On a lighter note, MHA and minister Sarah Stoodley proudly took her place in the legislature with her 12-day-old son Alexander front and centre, following a recent change that allows newborns in the legislature.
Coincidence or not, there even seemed to be a softer, more delicate tone to the House debate today. That prompted some to suggest that Alexander—who didn’t once interrupt the proceedings—might have taught even the most seasoned MHAs a thing or two about decorum in the legislature.