Can Ottawa Grow Up?

Everyone – including MPs – wants to restore some decorum to the House of Commons. What, and take away all our fun?

Parliament sits for the first time since the May 2 election today, and there's hope that the new makeup could help introduce some much-needed civility. Bob Hepburn of the Toronto Star notes that “Canadians are fed up with the nasty, rude and disrespectful style of politics that defines Ottawa these days, where MPs clearly hate and distrust their colleagues, act like loudmouth boors and often display utter contempt for Parliament.” Hepburn says the honourable (ha) members should follow the advice of venerable former MP Ed Lumley on countering dysfunction on the Hill: "Personal decorum, abide by procedures, interpersonal trust, understand history.” That these even need mentioning is indicative of how far things have sunk.

The new MPs coming to Parliament could help toward that end, suggests the National Post's John Ivison. Many of the new Tories have plenty of experience in difficult fields, as they range from surgeons to aboriginal leaders to ambassadors. “It’s good news for all Canadians that the House of Commons is still able to attract people who achieved something in life before entering politics,” and they ought to have more solid spines than incumbent Tory members, who “have been little more than bobble-headed cheerleaders.” Aided by Opposition Leader Jack Layton, whose “hostility is generally reserved for issues of substance,” Ivison believes Parliament has the potential to become a little more mature.

Sadly, in The Globe and Mail, recently retired Tory cabinet minister Chuck Strahl advises his son, rookie MP Mark Strahl, to toe the party line. “Almost always, charting the path forward ... means convincing others – or being convinced – that the team needs to 'speak with one voice,'” says Strahl. “Hard work to be sure, but remember that the caucus and the cabinet are in the political fray with you, and they need to know you have their back – and they, yours. The team isn’t the be-all and end-all, but it’s important. And you will hang together or you will hang separately.” Blindly following your party's every whim at the expense of your conscience might win elections and pass legislation, but it doesn't help to endear you to the public.