‘Don’t light the fireplace’ and other survival tips for new Sask. MLAs

Just like new students preparing for class, at 21 new MLAs will wear metaphorical backpacks — packed with campaign promises — into the Saskatchewan Legislative Building for the first time this fall.

“Honestly, it’s kind of like your first day of school,” said David Buckingham.

He was first elected as the MLA for Saskatoon Westview in 2016, but had never set foot in the building before being elected.

“You walk up and it’s like ‘What do I do? Who do I see?’ It’s a really cool experience,” he said.

650 CKOM went to both sides of the aisle to seek advice and survival tips for the newly elected officials.

MLA David Buckingham took 650 CKOM’s Brittany Caffet on a tour of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building, sharing his advice for new MLAs who will enter the building this fall. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

Park right out front

Buckingham is far from the only MLA to walk into the building for the first time as an elected official.

“I’d never been in the building before I got elected,” said Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill, MLA for the Battlefords.

“You drive up and you’re like ‘Where do I park? There’s reserved parking for important people here… I must be in the back somewhere!'” he laughed. “You walk up those stairs and it’s like ‘Wow.’ You think about the different people who have come through those doors… it’s pretty incredible.”

MLA for the Battlefords and Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said he had never set foot inside the Saskatchewan Legislative Building before being elected in 2020. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

Take the tour

Tours focusing on the history, architecture and function of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building are offered multiple times a day.

“I’ve actually taken it twice,” said Cockrill. “Once when I was newly elected, and recently when my mom was in town visiting. The guides are so well-versed in the history of this building. It’s well worth your time.”

Listen to the MLAs’ tips on Behind the Headlines:

Many people from Saskatchewan and beyond have taken tours of the building since its construction, including thousands of school children.

Some of those children, including Nathaniel Teed, have gone on to become Members of the Legislative Assembly themselves. Teed was elected as the MLA for Saskatoon Meewasin in a 2022 byelection.

“I had gone in as a little kid. I remember my mom and dad being there,” he said.

Don’t forget to wear your pin

Teed said walking into the building after winning his seat was an exciting moment. His first stop was at the security desk, where visitors to the building were screened before entry.

“The first time you walk in, you kind of have to identify yourself,” he said.

“You’re like, ‘I just won an election! I’m an MLA!’ Because MLAs are supposed to have unencumbered access. So you get a little pin to put on your jacket so you can just come and go. Everyone else has to check in and do security, But as an MLA, you’re just allowed to walk in.”

MLA for Saskatoon Meewasin Nathaniel Teed said new MLAs are often paired with more experienced MLAs to learn the unofficial rules of the legislature. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

Use the front stairs

Once you’ve cleared security, you’re greeted by one of Buckingham’s favourite features in the building — a grand marble staircase that leads you up to the rotunda and legislative chamber.

“I always try to come up the front. There are other entrances to the building, but when you can have such an awesome experience every day, why would you not do that? And so every day I walk up those same stairs,” he said.

Buckingham explained that the carpet covering the treads of the stone stairs is changed based on whether or not a sitting of the legislature is underway.

“When the legislature is in session, they put a red carpet here,” he said. “Once session is over, they turn it back to green carpet again.”

The grand marble staircase is one of MLA David Buckingham’s favourite features in the Saskatchewan Legislative Building. It leads up to the rotunda and legislative chamber. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

Lean on experienced MLAs

At the top of the staircase, you’ll find the entrance to the legislative chamber, a room where all the elected officials meet during sessions to debate and pass laws.

“There’s heckling going on, or you’re talking to someone across the way because you’re mad about what’s being said,” Teed said.

“A lot of times you’ll leave… take a breath… and you just realize that we’re all people. And we’re all there because we believe in a vision of Saskatchewan and a betterment for the people here.”

The rotunda houses four plinths. Three are topped with the busts of Walter Scott, Tommy Douglas and John Diefenbaker. The fourth sits empty, awaiting another politician in Saskatchewan’s future who earns commemoration.

Teed says being a public political figure presents unique challenges, and he finds comfort in connecting with those navigating the same hurdles, regardless of which side of the aisle they sit on.

“Those are other folks who know what the experience is like, and they know how tough the job is,” he said.

Teed said new MLAs are often partnered with more experienced elected officials who show them the ropes and explain the unofficial rules of the legislative assembly.

“There certainly was like a mentorship,” he said. “The dos and don’ts of when to stand up, when to sit down, what not to say… When you’re about to do something, they’re like, ‘No, don’t do that! You might have to apologize!'” he laughed. “The unspoken rules come in quick and fast!”

The legislative chamber is the room where all of the elected officials meet during sessions to debate and pass laws. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

Bring your reading glasses

As you navigate beyond the chamber and farther into the building, you’ll find Saskatchewan’s legislative library.

The room is packed to the rafters with books and newspaper clippings related to government, politics and history dating back to 1876.

MLAs and their staff rely heavily on the library for research purposes. Buckingham said when he was first elected, he was surprised by the amount of reading the job requires.

“There’s always a lot of reading to do!” he said. “I was driving truck for 35 years, so you kind of get out of the habit of reading. And when you come here, there is an immense amount of reading you need to do to be able to speak on a topic.”

The Legislative Library’s collection dates back to 1876 and holds thousands of books and clippings related to government, politics, and history. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

Don’t light the fireplace

While working in a historic building has its perks, Cockrill said there are some downsides as well.

“The temperature in this building can be challenging, and not just because of the hot air coming out of our mouths sometimes,” he said with a smile.

“There’s always these transition periods. In the spring it’s really cool for a couple of days. In May, the staff are all huddled in blankets answering the phones and trying to do their work.”

To provide additional heat to keep government officials warm during long, cold Saskatchewan winters, many fireplaces were included in the building’s design.

“The question I get asked all the time is ‘Do the fireplaces work?’ And I wish they did!” Cockrill said.

Today’s elected officials have been strictly banned from lighting fires in the century-old hearths, although it may be tempting given the cut wood and fireplace tools displayed beneath each ornate mantel.

“They must keep those there to taunt us,” he laughed. “I’m a wood fire and fireplace kind of guy!”

Cut wood and fireplace tools are displayed in each minister’s office, but today’s elected officials have been strictly banned from lighting fires in the century-old hearths. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

Enjoy the moment

As the 2024 provincial election draws near, these current MLAs offered up some advice for any new MLAs who will find themselves walking through the doors of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building for the first time this fall.

“I would just say enjoy the moment,” Buckingham said. “You’re a ball of nerves, because it’s a big step! But it is a pretty cool experience.”

“It’s important to never forget who sent you to the Legislature in the first place: the people of Saskatchewan,” Teed said. “You have to listen, be in touch with your community, and fight for your constituents. A government that doesn’t work for the people just doesn’t work.”

“Don’t forget how it feels on that first day, or that first week,” Cockrill said. “That first time being in the assembly and looking down and seeing your name on the desk… it’s a special feeling, and not many people have had that privilege. Just try to soak it all in, because stuff moves so quick. Four years ago seems like 10 years ago some days.”

David Buckingham said the novelty of working in the Saskatchewan Legislative Building has yet to wear off in his eight years as an elected official. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

Nearly eight years have passed since Buckingham felt those first-day jitters as he entered the hallowed halls of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building for the very first time.

He said the novelty of climbing the grand stairs and walking in the footsteps of Saskatchewan’s founding fathers has yet to wear off.

“I hope it never, ever feels like just a workplace,” he said. “It’s just such an honour to be here.”

Read more

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Editor’s Note: This story has been edited to correct the number of current MLAs not running in the coming election