Bullying is everywhere… Even in the New Brunswick legislature

By Kyle Mullin, Bugle Observer

Rob Frenette called it ironic that an anti-bullying motion was introduced at the legislature Thursday afternoon when tension still hung in the air after a Tory MLA verbally harassed Liberals.

Frenette, a NBCC Woodstock student who has set up www.BullyingCanada.ca as a resource for harassed children with a team of youth volunteers, was at the legislature Thursday as both the government and Opposition supported a motion for Anti-Bullying Day, which has been set for Dec. 17.

The event will likely include workshops in schools across the province to raise awareness about the issue.

“There really needs to be something done, definitely during question period,” said after the motion was passed. “It’s interesting to see how they go about it because definitely bullying is occurring in this legislature.

“Even though they just passed a motion regarding anti bullying initiatives, they definitely have to look at it.

“The back and fourth between the two parties is something they have to look at as quickly as possible because this is a workplace and it’s still classified as bullying.”

After question period Thursday, Health Minister Mike Murphy brought up a point of order and complained that Tory MLA Bruce Northrup used unparliamentarily language toward Finance Minister Victor Boudreau.

Northrup said, “One of these days I am going to shut your mouth. You have a big mouth.”

Northrup countered by saying the Liberals were interrupting Opposition leader David Alward during his questions and calling him by his first name, which is against the rules and disrespectful.

“If I have offended someone by my recent words, I will apologize,” Northrup said.

Alward, who is also the MLA for Frenette’s current home of Woodstock, said establishing Anti-Bullying Day is a significant step forward for the province’s children because it will be dedicated to raising awareness about the issue.

He said the behaviour that stems from that issue is unacceptable, in the province’s schools, workplaces or anywhere else.

“I couldn’t agree more (with Frenette because) on a day when we’re talking about Anti-Bullying Day we would have outbursts in the legislature,” he said.

“I’m very disappointed in what took place today. There was an apology and we moved forward, but I think it’s important for all legislatures, no matter what side of the house we’re on, to realize who we’re here on behalf of and conduct ourselves professionally.”

“On the floor of the legislature there’s banter back and fourth, right now they made their comment that there was some words brought across the floor, and I think it’s kind of ironic that it happened here today,” said Brian Kenny, Minister of State for Seniors and the Liberal MLA for Bathurst, Frenette’s home town.

“There’s lessons to be learned from everyone in society whether they’re kids bullying or adults.”

Kenny praised Frenette — who was bullied for 11 years in school growing up — for furthering those lessons by speaking out.

“He’s been a crusader for anti-bullying in this province since he was in high school,” Kenny said.

Alward said the Tories are pleased to see the premier raising the issue.

“This is what politics should be all about,” the Tory leader said.

Regardless of tensions on the floor of the legislature Thursday, Frenette said, he hopes the motion will be the first step in a long fight against bullying in the province’s classrooms and workplaces.

“At this point, without any legislation, it’s showing that bullies are able to get away with the situation,” he said.

Bullying online and through text messaging has deepened the issue for much of the province’s youth, he said.

“Bullying happens every 30 seconds on playgrounds and every half hour in classrooms,” Frenette said.

“I think with this initiative they’re gong to realize that they’re not going to be able to get away with it, and hopefully educators will have more evidence and more tools in order to curb it within their classrooms.”