Good Morning, Lester
Note: A few times during the political year I journey behind my office and sit by the bronze statue of Lester B. Pearson. It always seems to happen after some challenging event. His placid demeanour and quiet repose always encourages me forward. That’s where I was when the sun rose this morning.What a week. I always come to see you whenever I need some sanity, and that’s no truer than this morning. The gun registry hullaballoo is over for now. The House was packed and tensions were about as high as I can remember. Some emotions remain with me this morning. My buddy, Scott Sims, was finally able to unload the huge load that had been on his back all his summer. His father’s death in June and the role a long gun played in it must have been almost unbearable. But his candor and courage resulted in a sense of release as he was enfolded in the compassion of his colleagues. The sheer anger on the face of some government members at the vote result made me strangely sad. This meant a lot to them and I know it was tough to lose, but I sometimes worry that their hatred for all things Liberal has surpassed all of our ability to move on. Michael Ignatieff seemed different yesterday. He had kept his caucus together and in the end there was a bond I hadn’t seen before. He said we weren’t fighting for a gun registry but for the women and police forces of this land. I felt that way, too. I just hope we can be gracious and humble now that the vote is over. There’s also a component of hatred for this brand of Conservatism in our ranks as well. But I wonder what you would have thought of it all. Even the media seemed more interested in this than in the plight of so many Canadians. We’re somewhat lost in the place and you’d know it. We spent so much energy on a piece of paper that registers a long gun that we seem to have little left for the all those visiting food banks and wondering where their next meal will come from. Nortel pensioners are no closer to closure in their troubles. Small and medium businesses are struggling in this economy. And I’m glad your seated because there’s also this to tell you: at the same time as we’re buying $16 billion dollars for 65 fighter jets, we now only have 37 Canadians in traditional peacekeeping roles. That’s makes us 57th out of a list of 61 countries. So, we’ve arrived at a place where we now have more fighters than peacekeepers. That would just kill you, sir. As I said, we’ve lost our way. How did you do it? You had two minority governments and yet left us a legacy of healthcare, pensions, a new flag, peacekeeping, and a Nobel Prize to boot. Somehow the ability of citizens’ needs to transcend the random world of politics seemed more possible in your day. I guess the trick for us - all of us in the House – is to beat our weapons into resolutions, compromises and laws that help the people of this land. But I’m glad you’re here to remind us what’s possible. If only I had your ability, compassion and scope. But I don’t, so I just have to persevere with good intentions and sense of genuine amity towards all my colleagues.. It’s such a big job and we’re such little people here at present. I pray to God we can get past our pettiness. Catch you next time - likely sooner rather than later.