Alberta’s new legislature Speaker is turning heads for a video series that takes the public inside politics in a whole new way.
“This is not a traditional workplace,” Nathan Cooper says.
Cooper is taking to social media to open up the legislature, sharing some of the secrets inside the historic building.
He’s also working to remove some of the confusion around the political process, with videos explaining royal assent and the difference between interim and supplementary supply.
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“The process can be so confusing and convoluted,” Cooper says.
“Anything that I can do to help people have a bit better of an understanding of what actually happens in this chamber…
“It’s such an honour to be able to be in the chamber every single day that I hope people will be able to follow along and know what’s going on and some of our jargon.”
Cooper acknowledges the Speaker’s chair involves a balancing act.
“We’re doing battle for ideas and I hope members will be passionate about that.”
Cooper, elected a UCP MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, is known affectionately among political watchers as a policy and procedures wonk. His enthusiasm for the role and all of its trappings is evident.
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You can find the Speaker’s insights into Alberta’s political process on his Twitter and Facebook accounts.
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