Falling on Deaf Ears
On November 19 we headed up to Ottawa. Now that we live in Montreal, Ottawa is a short hour and forty-five minute drive away and therefore our intent is to go there fairly regularly to see the various museums and for a change of scenery. On our first trip we decided to take in the Parliament, walk around Byward Market and the path at the foot of Parliament that longs the banks of the Ottawa River.
The Parliament Buildings are beautiful. Most impressive to me was the library with all of its intricate woodwork and carvings. A majestic room indeed. The thought and meaning behind the decorations was also very interesting. Stain glass windows, ceiling paintings, statues and plaques. It is a place that, for a relatively short history, humbles with history and sacrifices made by others on behalf of Canada. It was an enjoyable visit......and it included a laugh.
After passing a second set of airport-style security we, at around 12:50, took our seats in the Public Gallery of the House to watch our government, our elected representatives, at work. Sitting on the rear balcony of the grand green room we saw Mr Rick Dykstra finishing to speak and Mr. Paul Szabo (the Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Mississauga South) rise to address the House and Madam Speaker.
"Madam Speaker......Our experience with regard to committee work has been that it often falls on deaf ears....."
My wife and I looked at each other across the gaze of our two children sitting between us and tried to control our laughter. The house had about ten people in attendance. The speaker, Madam, was busy having a conversation, leaning on her right elbow, with a man standing to the right of her throne. Other than to give Mr. Szabo the floor I did not see her look in his direction once. Mr. Szabo spoke to the 300+ empty chairs and the rude Madam for ten or fifteen minutes. The nine or so other present members were reading, typing on laptops, standing to leave or enter the room. My son looked over at me with a surprised gaze, curled eyebrows wondering what on earth was going on. Why are they not listening? Other than the few people up in the viewing gallery, there was not a person listening in that room.
I looked up and saw one of the Parliamentary Guards on the right balcony making joking gestures to one of his peers standing behind us on the rear balcony. The whole spectacle was really a farce.
What a shame.
We walked out, picked up our belongings at security and left the majestic building with considerable disappointment and, unfortunately, reinforcement of the foolishness of this expensive show we call parliament. Best, I think, to skip the soliloquy, type up an email and send it to your peer MPs - cc'ing the Madam.
Keep the guards though as what would be left in the room is in fact worth safekeeping.
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