MNA’s baby calms Quebec’s National Assembly while making history

Less than three-months-old and already trailblazing, not to mention also asleep when he made history on Dec. 6th.

Gabriel, son of Gregory Kelley, MNA for Jacques-Cartier, and Marwah Rizqy, MNA for Saint-Laurent became the first baby at Quebec’s National Assembly to have both parents as active MNA’s.

A first in Quebec’s National Assembly when new father, stood up to ask a question with baby Gabriel in a carrier.

Gregory Kelley, MNA for Jacques-Cartier and his son. (Photo Credit: Marwah Rizqy)

“We’re just absolutely thrilled that you know he’s healthy. Mom’s healthy, family’s healthy. He’s a real blessing,” said Kelley.

A moment born out of necessity, the new parents both had to head back to work after Gabriel arrived.

Marwah Rizqy, MNA for Saint-Laurent and her son Gabriel. (Photo Credit: Marwah Rizqy)

“Usually at the National Assembly, it’s very, it can get a little bit messy because people would all want to speak at the same time. And the speaker of the House has to tell people, please, calm down. But the presence of Gabriel, everyone actually was very, very quiet,” said Rizqy.

Rizqy, continued her election campaign in Saint-Laurent while in her last months of pregnancy, which is not a first in Quebec, as elected women have brought their children to the Quebec legislature question period before.

Marwah Rizqy, MNA for Saint-Laurent, Gregory Kelley, MNA for Jacques-Cartier and their son. (Photo Credit: Marwah Rizqy)

However, a father standing up with his baby with the mom also sitting as an MNA, this first described as ‘special’ by the power couple.

“He’s been a big unifier at the National Assembly, he’s popular with all political parties,’ said Kelly.

“It’s a good sign also to society that, you know, our national assembly can be reflective and welcoming to young families to encourage young people to jump into politics.”

At the start of that question period, Minister Christian Dubé took a moment to congratulate the new parents.

Open Gallery 3 items

The National Assembly has come a long way Rizqy says, from once not having dedicated women’s washrooms to now having kids.

“We can actually have it all and we can be young, we can be MNA, and we don’t have to choose between our family and the work that we chose to do,” said Rizqy.

As for Gabriel, his parents hope he’ll be proud of them when he’s older.

“He’ll be probably embarrassed first and foremost as young teenagers usually are when their parents do anything, but I’m sure at some point he’ll grow to appreciate the historical significance,” said Kelly.