Mr. Speaker, I was shocked to learn that yesterday MHA Gerry Rogers was expelled from the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador over things she did not do and words she did not say on social media.
The Speaker made this ruling despite the fact that this MHA was added to a social media group by another user and the associated conduct was that of other members of that group.
As a young politician, I find this very troubling. This is exactly the kind of situation that keeps young people away from politics. For my generation, cynicism is simply skyrocketing when it comes to politics.
How can people expect young people to engage when the very tools we are encouraged to use are misunderstood? This is simply unacceptable. This kind of conduct belongs to another time and another place.
That is why I am proud to be a member of the NDP, the only party that stands in solidarity with my generation, the only party that understands the importance of social media in democratic engagement, the only party that gives a voice to young Canadians and the only party that gives us a real place in Parliament.