Spring sitting of P.E.I. Legislature underway Tuesday using hybrid model

The spring sitting of the legislature started Tuesday and for the first time the P.E.I. Legislative Assembly is using a hybrid model to meet.

On Jan. 11, the legislative assembly announced it was switching to hybrid sittings — both virtual and in person — and closing its public gallery till further notice. 

Proceedings are being live streamed on Facebook and the government website.

"The hybrid proceedings are to allow for any unforeseen circumstances. Omicron was very unexpected from our perspective, it seemed to have come out of nowhere," said Joey Jeffrey, the P.E.I. Legislative Assembly's clerk.

"This allows us to switch very quickly if we need to go full virtual."

The switch to a hybrid sitting allows all members of the legislature to attend sessions, even when isolating due COVID-19 exposure, Jeffrey said.

"By keeping hybrid proceedings in place, members who may be isolating can still attend, so districts aren't disadvantaged by not having their members in house."

Despite the flexibility of a virtual proceeding, most members of the house would prefer in-person proceedings, Jeffrey said. 

"Virtual is definitely a tool in our arsenal right now, but no one would say that it would replace being in a room, in-person," he said.

"It really would be up to the house if they want to continue this for reasons besides the pandemic."

The only challenge Jeffrey sees arising from MLAs attending proceedings virtually is when it comes to voting. In an in-person proceeding, members of the house will stand up in favour or against a motion, he said. 

"With virtual proceedings, we will probably have a physical indication on screen and a voice indication as to which way they're voting, so it is crystal clear," he said. 

UPEI political science Prof. Don Desserud said the lost social dynamic could also be a detriment to the virtual sitting.

"An important part of having a legislative assembly, particularly a small one like we have in Prince Edward Island, is the fact that everyone being in close proximity, that becomes part of the debate itself," Desserud said.