Yukon MLA makes history by bringing baby to the Legislative Assembly

Dressed in matching suspenders, white shirts and bow ties, NDP MLA Lane Tredger and their four-month-old son Bowen spent Wednesday together on the job  — a first for the Yukon Legislative Assembly. 

With baby Bowen drifting off to sleep in the crux of their arm, Tredger told CBC News they often hear from people considering a future in politics and field questions about balancing public office with children.

"Can I have a baby while I'm in office? Or can I still be an involved parent while I'm an MLA?" Tredger said.  

"I think it's really important to show them that they can, and it's important to show that they can because we need all kinds of people in the legislature not just old people, not just people who are done having their families but young people as well." 

But Tredger said having Bowen there also served a different purpose.

"I also think it's good for us in the legislature. We're making decisions that will affect Bowen when he's older and it's good for us to think about when we're older," they said.

"And, you know everyone is, I think, a little kinder and more respectful when they're a baby in the room and that's a good thing."

Through question period, debates and a vote, Bowen spent the day sleeping, eating and watching the ceiling fans spin and even gaining some admirers from across the floor. 

"It just brought this really great grounding, I think, to the legislature, it was exciting to be there," said Liberal MLA Jeanie McLean, who is also the minister responsible for Yukon's Women and Gender Equity Directorate.

"Given that it's 2025 I'm surprised that it hasn't happened sooner," she added. "We've definitely seen changes along the way to accommodate families, to have sitting times more certain to accommodate families."

Babies have long since made appearances in other political assemblies. In 1998, MP Michelle Dockrill brought her seven-week-old into the House of Commons in Ottawa. Provinces like British Columbia and Saskatchewan have also seen babies at their legislative assemblies in recent years.

"In the modern era babies have been brought into most legislatures," said Dan Cable, clerk of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. "So Yukon is just keeping up with that."

Kate White, the NDP leader, says nonetheless it's a moment of note.

"You know, Lane Tredger has done a lot of things with stereotypes and breaking ceilings and I'm delighted that they brought their son."