Speaker of the B.C. Legislature Darryl Plecas recently stirred up a political hornet’s nest when forced to play the role of principal among a group of kids trading insults in the schoolyard.
Plecas ruled that from now on, MLAs won’t be able to use insulting mock titles to address ministers when asking questions in the House.
What kind of titles? Well, as examples, recently Transportation Minister Claire Trevena was described variously as the minister of gridlock, minister of taxis and minister of consultation paralysis. However witty, it likely seems self-evident that such use of derogatory name-calling doesn’t belong in the legislature.
After being told to drop the childish antics, Liberals responded with heckling of Plecas, juvenile whining that the NDP and Greens “did it too” and finally, high-minded statements that Plecas was unilaterally changing the rules to a standard “none of us are aware of,” according to Liberal House leader Mike de Jong.
MLAs are surprised to learn that standards of decorum are expected in their workplace? We’d suggest that’s a sad reflection on what’s become of politics. And just because politicians have gotten away with it in the past doesn’t mean they should continue to do so.
When rules of civil engagement break down, it’s a slippery slope. Just look south of the border for confirmation of that.
A good rule of thumb for politicians might be if your comments were filmed and shown to an elementary classroom in your riding, would you be proud or embarrassed? Or alternatively, if kids couldn’t get away with it at school, it shouldn’t happen in the legislature either.
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.
