Jennifer Huygen
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Jennifer Huygen is the Head Page at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. She received significant public attention on March 1, 2006, when Alberta premier Ralph Klein threw a book at her in the Legislature chamber.
The Progressive Conservative premier had unveiled a series of anticipated health care reforms at a press conference that morning. As the Legislature convened and entered question period, the House was strongly polarized. The opposition Liberals and New Democrats strongly opposed the new reforms, which involved increased levels of privatization in the province's public health care system.[1]
Shortly before 2:00 PM, a member of the Liberal opposition asked Huygen to give the Premier a 78-page publication detailing the party's alternative proposal to health care issues, not an uncommon request of a Page. Given the book, Klein allegedly said to himself "I don't need this crap" before tossing the book over his shoulder.[2] There are conflicting reports on if the book struck Huygen, but she was not injured in the incident.[3]
Journalists and political commentators seized the event as symbolic of a number of larger issues, ranging from the Premier's opinion of opposition contributions to government to a growing disconnect with the people from a historically popular premier.[4][5] This event may have played a role in the premier's early resignation after a 55% vote of support at a March 31, 2006 leadership review.[6]
The book involved was later autographed by Liberal leader Kevin Taft, members of the Liberal caucus and others, and sold on eBay for $1400. Below Taft's signature on the cover is the inscription "policy on the fly". The party donated the profits from the sale to the Edmonton Youth Emergency Shelter Society.[7][8]
[edit] References
- ^ Alberta presents 10-point plan for health-care reform. Retrieved on 2006-09-24.
- ^ Klein sorry after throwing Grit booklet at page. Retrieved on 2006-09-24.
- ^ Klein to premiers: butt out. Retrieved on 2006-09-24.
- ^ Premier Klein's childish antics reflect his disdain for democratic process. Retrieved on 2006-09-24.
- ^ Sound off! What about a premier who throws a booklet at a teenage page girl?. Retrieved on 2006-09-24.
- ^ Klein's leadership competancy questioned. Retrieved on 2006-09-24.
- ^ RALPH KLEIN PREMIER OF ALBERTA THROWS BOOK HITS PAGE (eBay auction). Retrieved on 2006-09-24.
- ^ Policy book that Klein threw at page on the block at eBay. Retrieved on 2006-09-24.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Alberta Hansard for Wednesday, March 1, 2006, Afternoon (the incident occurs halfway through p. 122, to which Mr. R. Miller raises a point of order)
- Blog entry on the subject, by a former Page
