The Race for Kingsmere: It all comes down to this …
By kadyomalley - Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 175 Comments
The Election of the Speaker – and of course ITQ will be liveblogging it. Wild horses with bees in their mouths couldn’t keep us away.
9:37:17 AM
Oh my goodness, y’all, Parliament is back! Okay, not *officially* — not until either later this morning, or tomorrow afternoon at 2pm, depending on when you start counting — and believe me, that question has been the source of no small amount of debate in the Hot Room. But when I rolled into Centre Block a few minutes ago, I was greeted by the peal of the bells, which brought on such a wave of nostalgia that I had to restrain myself from doing a little jig on the spot, which would have almost certainly gotten me flagged by security.
9:51:15 AM
I’m in the Chamber, by the way — which, at the moment, is offiically just a big room with drab drapery, since the Mace isn’t on the Table, and I don’t think the day has officially begun. That hasn’t stopped MPs from pouring in from the foyer – those that haven’t been trapped by reporters demanding to know who they plan to support, at least. From where I’m sitting, I can see Joe Comartin working the crowd – he’s shaking hands with someone I don’t recognize on the government side of the House – but he’s the only candidate in sight at the moment. Amongst the rest of the throng currently milling behind the curtains and in the centre aisle, there is much shaking of hands, patting of backs and what sound like entirely expressions of delight at seeing each other for the first time in months – at least, for some of them.
Oh, there’s Mauril Belanger, who just gave a Gallic but somehow humble shrug to an unseen person somewhere just outside of my viewing range. (I’m in the press gallery behind the Speaker’s Chair, to his right – so, closer to the government than the opposition.)
The room is really filling up now — and so are the galleries, but I should point out that there is a very important ritual that has to take place before the vote begins: the MPs have to flock down the hall, en masse, to the Senate to officially receive their marching orders from the Governor General, who will ask them to elect a Speaker before she can deliver the Speech from the Throne, whereupon they all walk back. It’s alternately known as the Running of the Bulls or the Herding of the Cats, depending on how exuberant and/or recalcitrant the Commonsers are on any given day.
10:01:37 AM
Oh, Gordon O’Connor. What an enigma your decision to run in the last election continues to be. Bob Rae is already in full Avuncular Uncle (But Don’t Push Him Because He’ll Destroy You In Debate) Mode. Scott Brison is being kissed – European-style, both cheeks – by a BQ MP, and Michael Ignatieff is looking shorter than I remember, which always happens when you’re away from them for a while, like preteen second cousins – except they get smaller, not bigger.
10:05:00 AM
Okay, the room is settling down, and the Clerk reads the Proclamation from the Governor General – actually, the GG’s secretary, but never mind that, and sits back down, at which point the Sgt-at-Arms – who seems to be worried that he’s forgotten how to do his ceremonial duty – opens the door for the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod – who really does look like a character out of Tenniel, I should note; a good pick for that very reason – who proceeds to invite the MPs “to attend the Governor General in the Chamber of the Senate” – like, nowish. Some burbling from the crowd, and the Table Officers get to put on their special goin’-to-Senate hats, and they’re off.
Man, I’ve missed this.
10:11:18 AM
And now, I shall tattle on the MPs who are just too *cool* to walk down the hall:
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The Race for Kingsmere: Behold, the final — sixteen? Are you kidding me?
By kadyomalley - Monday, November 17, 2008 at 10:26 PM - 18 Comments
Before anyone panics over some of the heretofore unmentioned names that show up on the following list - Dean del Mastro? Rob Anders? David Tilson? This is indeed a disturbing universe – ITQ would like to point out that it’s very likely that most appear simply because the MP in question forgot to tell the Clerk’s office to remove his or her name from the list.
Now that we have that out of the way:
From: COMMUNIQUÉ: Clerk of the House/Greffière de la Chambre
Sent: November 17, 2008 6:19 PM
To: MEMBERS’ OFFICES/BUREAUX DES DÉPUTÉS; HoC – ADMINISTRATION – CdC; LIBRARY/BIBLIOTHÈQUE; – SEN GLOBAL; Press Gallery 1; OFFICE OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ETHICS COMMISSIONER/COMMISSARIAT AUX CONFLITS D’INTÉRÊTS ET À L’ÉTHIQUECc: CPC Whip; Keller, Garry; CPC House Leader; Baran, Yaroslav; Prest, David; LIB House Leader; Wackid, Richard; Dompierre, Hugo; BQ Whip Assistant; Desnoyers, Annie; Sutherland, Rob; Kavanagh, Theresa; St-Martin, Nicole; Sauvé, Nathalie; Lauzon, Mélanie; WHIPS
Subject: Election of the Speaker / Élection du Président
The list of candidates for the election of the Speaker of the House of Commons on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. is as follows:ANDERS, Rob
BÉLANGER, Mauril
CALANDRA, Paul
COMARTIN, Joe
DEL MASTRO, Dean
DEVOLIN, Barry
GALIPEAU, Royal
LUNNEY, James
MILLIKEN, Peter
OUELLET, Christian
SCHEER, Andrew
SMITH, Joy
TILSON, David
TONKS, Alan
TWEED, Mervin
WESTON, Rodney (Saint John)
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The Race for Kingsmere – I hate to disagree with my honourable colleague, The Commons …
By kadyomalley - Monday, November 17, 2008 at 1:55 PM - 33 Comments
But ITQ cannot join with Aaron Wherry in endorsing Joe Comartin for Speaker of the House, for the very reasons that Aaron reiterates in his post — in a nutshell, he’s just too valuable a critic, committee member and cable news talking head to be silenced by the strict impartiality requirements of Chair.
Instead, we will be throwing our support behind the current associate deputy speaker, Conservative Andrew Scheer, who impressed us on the (admittedly, too few and far between) occasion that we actually paid attention to his performance of his speakertorial duties in the House, most noteably during our liveblogging of Committee of the Whole last May.
More importantly, he is, as yet, the only challenger to the current inhabitant who seems to be motivated not by a grim and joyless sense of duty (rather like the anti-”perk” Cromwellian Reformers of old), but by his unmistakable passion for parliamentary ritual and tradition, and for the Commons itself, in all its anachronistic and anarchic glory.
For that, and because we have a soft spot for anyone who dresses his toddler in miniature Speaker’s robes for Hill’o'ween, we’re backing Scheer.
You?
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It's a mad, mad, mad, mad race for Kingsmere — Yes, another one.
By kadyomalley - Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 9:24 AM - 5 Comments
Not sure why it’s taken so long for Royal Galipeau to make it official, but he’s now the seventh (!) MP — and the fourth Conservative — to enter the race to turf Peter Milliken from the Speaker’s chair. The ITQ poll has been updated accordingly:
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The Race for Kingsmere: Another Liberal joins the fray!
By kadyomalley - Friday, November 14, 2008 at 9:26 AM - 5 Comments
At least, that’s what ITQ has been told – we’ve not yet gotten our hands on the formal e-nnouncement (hint, hint): Ottawa Vanier’s very own Mauril Belanger, which brings the total number of candidates to six, including the incumbent. I’m not sure what this does to the anti-Milliken conspiracy theory, but at the moment, it looks like next Tuesday’s vote may turn out to be more interesting than we could have possibly hoped.
(I’ve updated the official ITQ poll to add Belanger to the list of contenders, so if you haven’t voted yet, go for it.)
UPDATE: As it turns out, shameless hinting works!
Dear colleagues,
This letter is to inform you of my decision to let my name stand for election as Speaker of the House of Commons for the 40th Parliament.
I do this for a number of reasons. For more than 13 years, I have had the honour and privilege of sitting in the House, and I have unfortunately noticed a gradual deterioration in the civility and dignity of our deliberations.
Increasingly, a lack of decorum and respect from Members towards one another has been evident. We must reverse this trend and I believe the Speaker will have an important role in achieving such an objective.
Having had the opportunity to sit on both sides of House of Commons and the privilege of being a member of the Cabinet and of the Board of Internal Economy, I believe I have acquired the knowledge and experience to ensure the proper flow of the business of the House, as well as the administration of this great institution.
On that front, there has been a noticeable increase in the administrative burden imposed on MPs. An attempt to lighten this administrative load is in order, in close consultation with Members.
It is equally important that whoever occupies the Speaker’s chair be able to express him or herself in both official languages, for the following reasons. First, all Members should be able to interact directly with the Speaker without intermediary. Second, the Speaker represents the House of Commons in many protocol functions and official visits. Finally, the Speaker is regularly called upon to meet with unilingual Canadians, both francophones and anglophones, from coast to coast to coast.
For these reasons, I believe my nomination deserves your consideration and, I hope, your support. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have in this regard. I have enclosed, for your information, a short biography.
In the meantime, please accept my warmest congratulations for your election or re-election to the House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament.
We have a lot to be proud of and we need to demonstrate that daily!
Mauril Bélanger, P.C., M.P.
Ottawa—Vanier -
The Race for Kingsmere: Barry Devolin is a man with a plan – a 3 point plan, to be precise.
By kadyomalley - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 12:49 PM - 15 Comments
Behold the ‘whatever’ that he considers ‘necessary’ to transform the House from a partisan echo chamber to a forum for civilized and productive debate.
(By the way, if any of you other candidates have platforms to promote, feel free to send them along to ITQ – or, if you don’t have a formal proposal, but are feeling adventurous, come join the debate in the comment threads!)
From the desk of Speaker hopeful Barry Devolin, courtesy of the press gallery newswire:
“DEVOLIN HAS 3 POINT PLAN TO IMPROVE DECORUM IN THE HOUSE”
November 12, 2008
OTTAWA – Barry Devolin, Member of Parliament for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock and candidate for Speaker of the House of Commons, today announced details of his 3 Point Plan to improve decorum in the House.
“Ever since I was first elected, I have heard Members of Parliament talk about raising the level of debate in the House,” said Devolin. “I believe there is an appetite for change among Members of Parliament from all parties. This is not a partisan issue.”
“The tone of debate in the House is set by the Speaker, the same as the tone of play in a hockey game is set by the referee,” explained Devolin. “If you want a new tone, you need to find a new referee.”Devolin’s plan is based on 3 points.
1. Assemble a team for the Speaker’s chair committed to improving decorum.
“My first act as Speaker will be to ask House Leaders to appoint three Members of Parliament committed to working with me to improve decorum to serve as Deputy Speaker, and as Deputy and Assistant Deputy Chairpersons of Committees of the Whole. To be successful, we need consistency in the chair.”2. Start on the periphery of House activities; then move towards the centre – Question
Period.
“I believe the best time to introduce a new tone in the House is during the least stressful activities, such as private members’ business or routine debate. Subsequently, this more respectful tone could be expanded to include more stressful activities, such as Question Period. Starting with Question Period won’t work.”3. Establish a Special Committee to develop a “Members’ Code of Mutual Respect”.
“I will ask the House Leaders to appoint a caucus member each to a Special Committee, to be chaired by the Deputy Speaker, which will draft a statement of reasonable expectations for Members’ conduct in the House. This special committee will consult with Members while drafting a high level, one page document to be tabled when the House returns in January.”
“Every M.P. deserves respect from their colleagues, the same as they would get in any other workplace in Canada,” said Devolin. “I look forward to the day when I can be proud to welcome a group of school children to attend Question Period.” -
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "Which is to be master — that's all." (An ITQ Poll!)
By kadyomalley - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 9:38 AM - 14 Comments
With Andrew Scheer officially throwing his bicorn associate deputy speaker’s hat into the ring, we now have at least five MPs vying for the chance to sit in the Big Chair, which may actually be a Canadian parliamentary record for a race in which the incumbent Speaker is running for reelection, although I’m sure someone will correct me in the comment if that’s wrong. (I mean actively vying, not just those who will leave their names on the list out of forgetfulness, or just for kicks.)
So, leaving aside the needlessly complicated conspiracy theory that it’s all a cunning Conservative plot to retake the riding of Kingston and the Islands, who would ITQ readers most like to see don the robes and attempt to bring about order in the House? Merv Tweed, who has “continuously been faced with the honourable task of being fair, neutral, and open to debate” during his tenure as committee chair? His fellow former committee chair Barry Devolin, who pledges to do “whatever is necessary to make House proceedings civil and constructive”? The NDP’s Joe Comartin – so far, the only opposition MP to challenge Milliken for the job – who has “consistently strived to be well-informed, fair, and just”? If you got a ballot next Tuesday, who would you pick?
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Oh, it's on: Two more MPs join the Race for Kingsmere
By kadyomalley - Friday, November 7, 2008 at 5:13 PM - 15 Comments
Does this suggest a split within the Conservative caucus? Have he and Merv Tweed established a Rae-Ignatieff-style pact of nonaggression? Most importantly, whither Andrew Scheer?
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'S Wonderful, 'S Mervelous … (Guess who's running for Speaker!)
By kadyomalley - Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 1:08 PM - 17 Comments
Let the …. uh, illustration of desire begin:
From: Tweed, Merv – M.P.
Sent: November 6, 2008 1:00 PM
To: Tweed, Merv – M.P.
Subject: Speaker of the House of Commons/Président de la Chambre des communesDear Colleague,
I write to you today to illustrate my desire to run for Speaker of the House of Commons.
I fully believe that my past experience at the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government has prepared me for the challenges, responsibilities, and demands associated with this position. Having served as the provincial Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, and federally as the Chair of the Standing Committee of Transport, I have continuously been faced with the honourable task of being fair, neutral, and open to debate. I assure you that I will bring the same characteristics to the role of Speaker.
The House of Commons is a place of dignity and respect and deserves stability and order. It is my view that over the last several years the level of debate and decorum in our great institution has suffered. Should I be entrusted with the role as Speaker of the House of Commons, rest assure I will strive to ensure that all Members of Parliament demonstrate equality and integrity, while respecting the traditions and raising the level of debate in the House of Commons.
It would be a privilege to work with you in this capacity. Should you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to call my Parliamentary office.
On November 18th, I would sincerely appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
Merv Tweed, MP
Brandon-SourisYour move, Andrew Scheer et al.
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And now, back to our regularly scheduled parliamentary conspiracy theories
By kadyomalley - Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 1:17 PM - 13 Comments
Fellow gallerybloggerytype David Akin lays out the latest gossip from the Hill berryvine on the race for the Speaker’s chair, which – if he and the CBC parliamentary bureau are right – may turn out to be a real race this time around, rather than just a pro forma victory for the current occupant, Peter Milliken.
According to Akin, a “smart and enthusiastic Hill staffer” told him that the Tories are gunning for Milliken’s job – not because they’ve had any particular problem with his performance as Speaker, but because they think losing the post that Milliken has described as his “dream job” job would be so devastating that he would retire from political life and resign his seat, leaving the onetime Progressive Conservative stronghold of Kingston and the Islands ripe for the byelection plucking. Which, as cunning plans go, does have a certain flair, but relies heavily on a Rube Goldbergian chain of events, beginning with an upset victory over the incumbent – something that hasn’t happened in the 22 years that the House has been electing its Speaker by secret ballot.
