WATCH ABOVE: As Premier Designate Rachel Notley met with Jim Prentice, Alberta’s new MLAs learned the ins and outs from outgoing Speaker Gene Zwozdesky. Tom Vernon has the story.
EDMONTON – Last week’s election has lead to dramatic changes in the legislature.
Seventy of the 87 seats are held by newcomers, and on Tuesday they got their first taste of what it means to be an elected official.
Jim Prentice, who is still technically the premier until Rachel Notley is sworn in, was there to meet with his successor.
READ MORE: Prentice offers Notley ‘insight and advice’ during Tuesday meeting
While the leaders met, Speaker Gene Zwozdesky held court in the chamber.
Zwozdesky, who lost his seat to the NDP’s Denise Woollard, instructed the newcomers on the ins and outs of legislature procedure and protocol.
The rookie crop includes two party leaders, Brian Jean from the Wildrose and Greg Clark from the Alberta Party.
Zwozdesky also cautioned them about the house, saying it’s a room where even the calmest of people can boil over.
“Emotion can overcome you in this chamber, unlike anything you’ve ever felt before,” said Zwozdesky.
“It can engulf you. It can enrage you. It can frighten you. It can also make you laugh out loud.”
With files from the Canadian Press and Tom Vernon, Global News.
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