Floor Crossing

In a recent Policy Options magazine, Robin Sears writes in real terms concerning the partisan nature of politics and how it’s always characterized Canadian political life. People, including me, often hearken back to the Lester Pearson minority governments and how much was achieved through compromise. Sears says it was never quite that simple, but he does acknowledge, despite the heavily partisan debates between the various leaders at the time, friendliness and understanding between MPs was actually common.

Two generations ago, Canadians politicians not only respected each other as professionals in a shared discipline, they also often extended each other private support on shared projects … For every public collision between Diefenbaker and Pearson … there were a dozen private kindnesses behind the lobby curtains between members."

I had that kind of day yesterday.  My wife and kids were up for one of their rare visits and came to the House.  CIDA minister Bev Oda came out to meet them following Question Period and was characteristically gracious.  As she spoke to the kids, Jack Layton (NDP) walked up and engaged them as well, obviously expressing interest in their lives and how they are adjusting to Canada.  I thanked him later in a quiet moment and he said he was pleased to have had the opportunity to dialogue with them – I believed him 100%.Paul Dewar of the NDP, and a good friend, approached shortly after, commiserating with the kids and asking how their Halloween went.  Johanne Deschamps of the Bloc journeyed over and spoke with my wife for a time and reminded us that sometimes this kind of friendship is what meaningful politics entails.  There were many others, including security officers, and a great many of my own caucus who showed remarkable kindness.Just as Question Period was starting, I crossed over the aisle (the DMZ, I call it) and deliberately shook Peter Mackay’s hand, congratulating him on the announcement of his engagement only the day before.  I sent him over a message during QP that I could sense the happiness in him.  I hope he doesn't mind my telling that he responded back by saying he was smiling so much his face hurt.  Later, Conservative David Sweet crossed over to sit next to me on the opposition side and asked if I would cooperate with him on a venture in the near future.  I readily consented. As the House drew into the late-afternoon hours, I briefly sat next to Conservative Michael Chong, congratulating him on the birth of his new baby.In all, it was a remarkable day, made all the more meaningful by the willingness of members to put aside their more partisan ways to engage in a middle space, even if just for a time.  There was a lot of crossing over yesterday and Parliament was the better for it.Former John F. Kennedy speechwriter Ted Sorensen was in my riding in London last week delivering an engaging speech.  Though referring to American politics, he might just as easily have been speaking of Canada.  Regretting the declining nature of dialogue, he stated: “The national discourse has declined.  It has become more partisan, it has become more bitter, it is often shouting at the top of one’s voice.  Civility is not a sign of weakness.  That’s a very important principle.  Unfortunately, it’s being ignored by members of both parties … who cast about insults and untruths.”And so we have it, the kind of resentful and prejudicial politics that is undoing the present political landscape.  But not yesterday - in ways meaningful and kind, the curtain was drawn back a little to reveal public servants honouring, cooperating and generally being kind to each other.  I understand the need for the heavy partisan bickering at a certain level, and though I disagree with it, I know it’s a permanent piece of the landscape up here.  Nevertheless, underneath that frenzy should be far more interactions of understanding and respect.  It’s how more compromise will be reached and how a minority parliament can work.  Sadly, there aren’t as many as there could be.  Yesterday, however, in all the crossing over, I realized again that politics can be about the possible.