An Open Letter To Parliament

I have just returned from 5 delightful days in Ottawa.  I was  surprised by just how much I enjoyed the city itself, which proved friendly, beautiful, and very walkable (at least in the area I was staying.)  The conference itself was everything that a student conference should be: busy, stimulating, social, and memorable.

There is one thing that is sticking in my mind.  I sat in on Question Period at Parliament on Tuesday, May 15th, and was simply appalled by the behaviour of the MPs that I saw there.  I was prepared for the rhetorical antics, but not for the basic disrespect of parliamentary etiquette, and the flagrant disregard for the seriousness of the task of governance.  I watched as MPs ignored the ruling of the Speaker of the House when he stood for silence, or even the basic rule of not continuing to yell across the floor as one exited, over the ongoing business after the hour had ended.  I think what surprised me most though was that, while I saw poor behaviour from parliamentarians on both sides of the floor, the most egregious offences against the office of the Speaker of the House came from the sitting government who elected him to the post. This showed a disrespect of both the individual and the office.

I couldn’t help but leave feeling let down.  I take government seriously, and though I may not always agree with the choices made by those who govern, and though I may have little personal respect for the individuals in office, I still revere the office itself.   Do note that when I speak of the seriousness of governance, I do not mean sombreness, or sobriety, but importance, - of weight.  That’s a funny word, isn’t it – revere?  Reverence for government and the weight of leadership is sadly lost, and it is no more clearly made visible than in the lack of respect for the etiquette, and rituals of parliament. It is, unfortunately, a cycle that claws away at what is left of reverence on Parliament Hill, as these little rituals, like bowing to the Speaker in acknowledgement when entering or exiting, or waiting to be called to speak, serve to reinforce the seriousness of these offices, and these debates, in the minds and hearts of those who perform them, and the ignorance or mockery of them, results in minds and hearts that believe quite the opposite.

Our personal and professional rituals shape our ability to work and live in those spaces.  We feel more professional in a pair of slacks, or a business suit than we do in our housecoats, and are, as a result, generally more productive after getting dressed.  We sleep more easily in our beds if we have a pre-sleep ritual we observe daily that tells our minds and bodies that now is the time to rest.  Equally, we are on our best behaviour before dignitaries, superiors, and respected family members because we take them seriously, and want to show ourselves at our best as an act of respect.  By obeying the rules of engagement and order set out for Parliament, and respecting the offices held within, a sense of seriousness is upheld, and each individual therein is reminded of that weight.

So, this being said, how can we have faith that our governors are doing their best for Canada, when they cannot even behave with respect for one another’s office in our most public of arenas?  How can we believe that we, as a people, are held important, and respected, when there is no respect on any side of Parliament?  This is not to say they should agree, or that the opposition should acquiesce, but that all must respect the importance of the role of the other, and the voice granted them by the people of Canada.  The sitting government must respect that though they have a majority, they were not elected by a majority in the popular vote.  They must temper themselves accordingly, and leave room to listen to the content of the other voices rather than responding with conscious attention to it, rather than trying to return only to their own agenda.  Sometimes the best answer for all involved, the most honest honest answer, is, "I don't know.  I will have to get back to you."  The opposing parties must respect the voices they represent, which means respecting both the content of their message, and how their behaviour reflects on  their respective parties.  They have the grave duty of ensuring minority voices are not unheard, while maintaining the dignity of those voices.

Finally, if those who are charged with the task of governance do not choose to take it seriously, then how can we, as those governed, ever take them seriously?