In the last four months, Calgary-Varsity MLA Stephanie McLean has added some important new entries to her resume: minister of Service Alberta, minister of Status of Women and mother.
Following a busy spring session, she laughs that she’s gained experience as a Sherpa too.
READ MORE: New Alberta cabinet minister expects to become new mother next week
“We all pack up the cavalcade,” McLean said.
“We pack the dogs into the back of the car, pack the stroller, pack the toys, pack the play centre for Patrick and bottles and diapers and everything.”
McLean’s family has spent the last few months driving to Edmonton early Monday morning and staying until Thursday evening when they head home to Calgary for the weekend.
Travelling is part of the typical life of an MLA, but travelling with an infant is not.
McLean is the first woman in Alberta history to give birth while in office and she’s trailblazing as she parents on the job at the legislature.
READ MORE: New Alberta cabinet minister gives birth, makes history
“It’s that cultural shift – that’s what I’d like to see – about normalizing children, normalizing motherhood, normalizing parenting in all spaces.
“For me, that’s the broader goal and we have accidentally been a catalyst for that conversation,” McLean said.
She says an all-party sub-committee is currently looking at measures to make the Legislature more family friendly.
READ MORE: Alberta looks to change ‘archaic’ legislation around MLA parental leave
McLean’s husband spends each day at the legislature in order to help care for Patrick, but the minister often takes her four-month-old son to important tasks such as Question Period, meetings and conference calls. That often means breastfeeding through meetings or changing the odd diaper on a conference table.
“It does add joy to the day. You’re trekking along in your typical business affairs.
“Things can get serious at times but no matter how serious it is, if he smiles and giggles, it just throws a different tone to the room,” McLean said.
“It gives you that objective ability to look at things and not get too bogged down in any one thing.”
McLean doesn’t have a fixed date when she plans to stop bringing Patrick to work. She refers to Italian Member of European Parliament Licia Ronzulli as an example of how other female politicians have adapted.
“I don’t know what to expect from Patrick or how this experience will inform his future,” McLean said with a smile, “but it will work out.”
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