Independent MLAs Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin (left) and Becky Druhan speak with an attendee at a panel discussion on party politics Friday afternoon at Acadia University.Article contentIndependent MLA Becky Druhan said her decision to leave the PC caucus was cemented when she was told by a party staffer not to speak on a bill in the legislature.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe bill in question was one on strengthening regulations for bouncers at bars in the province,Article contentArticle contentThe Lunenburg West MLA was speaking Friday afternoon at an Acadia University panel discussion on the challenges of party politics.Article contentArticle contentShe told reporters afterward that “it was such a good piece or work, such a worthwhile cause, and it really was a best-effort solution… so I really felt it was important that people understood what was being done and that’s why I spoke to it.”Article contentShe said the public gains when MLAs are less-controlled when it comes to being told what to do, especially by staff.Article content“I think there’s a lot of benefit to ensuring you have full opportunity to communicate in the legislature,” she said. “First off, it’s sharing with community the reasons why you’re making or taking the steps you’re taking. It provides a lot of understanding.Article content“From a legal perspective, the records of the Legislature also have an impact. They can impact the way courts interpret the laws that you’re making, so there are a whole lot of reasons why it’s important to have fulsome debate on the floor. That’s something that’s incredibly important to me and I think it’s incredibly important to democracy.”Article contentArticle contentCumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, also an independent and former PC MLA, who took part in the panel, agreed that when legislators don’t have the ability to speak freely on behalf of their constituents who elected them, “they’re the ones that lose out, which ultimately is a failure of democracy.”Article contentArticle contentShe said not being affiliated with a party doesn’t impact her ability to represent her constituents.Article content“I feel strongly that I’m much more able to represent people who elected me as an independent. It’s quite sad, actually (that) over 60 per cent of my work is with people from outside of my constituency who contact me because their own (government) MLAs are not responding to their emails or phone calls, likely because they’re not allowed to.”Article contentMany of those people have issues with the health-care system.Article content Becky Druhan answers questions from reporters at One Government Place in Halifax on Sept. 18. Photo by RYAN TAPLIN /THE CHRONICLE HERALDArticle content“Their own government MLAs are not responding to them and that is not fair to them, it is not good democratic representation.”
Former Nova Scotia PC MLA says interference part of reason behind her departure
