The 41st Parliament hits bottom
This Parliament appears to be a lost cause
Shortly after three o’clock this afternoon, Michael Chong’s Reform Act passed the House of Commons by a vote of 260-17. Even in its amended form, its passage—the Senate must now approve the bill—is worth celebrating. Even if not quite the leap it might’ve been, it is still now a small step toward what might be considered a better Parliament: one in which each of the individuals we elect, not simply the leaders of the various parties, is significant and, as a result, the legislature is a truly robust forum for debate, study and accountability. Of course, there are very many steps left between this and that.
Should the bill receive royal assent, it will be something for this Parliament, our 41st Parliament, to claim credit for. But it will be for the next Parliament to make something of. Which is perhaps fitting because the legacy of this Parliament—its contribution to a more perfect democracy—might depend entirely on whether its gross failings inspire its successor to commit acts of change.'
That there are as many as seven more months left in the life of this Parliament almost doesn’t matter. That it exists is unquestionably a good thing and that it counts among its member any number of remarkable and inspiring people should not be forgotten and that it might sit until at least June will provide some benefit to the nation, but so far as it might’ve been something more, this Parliament now looks to be a lost cause.
READ MORE: http://www.macleans.ca/politics/parliament-hits-bottom/
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