Opposing aisles in the House of Commons are said to be placed two sword lengths apart, a reminder that disputes in the chamber should be resolved peacefully.
For Greg Fergus, two hockey stick lengths would probably be better. He prefers a more familiar analogy for his role in Canada’s democracy as the new Speaker of the House of Commons.
“It’s like being a ref in a game,” he told CBC’s The House in an episode that aired Saturday. As part of the show, CBC shadowed the newly elected Speaker for a day on the Hill.
“Politics is not a game, but to make the analogy: For any sport to go well, it has to be done within the framework of the rules that are set out. And people within that explore excellence. So my job is just to make sure people are conducting themselves in a way that respects the rules of the game, and then let them do what they need to do to win the game,” he told host Catherine Cullen.
Fergus, who was elected to the Speaker position on Oct. 3, is making an explicit push to make the House of Commons a more cordial, productive and effective part of Canadian democracy. In a speech ahead of Question Period on Oct. 18, he argued that the House of Commons was witnessing a “deterioration in the collective decorum of this place” and pushed MPs to do better, saying “We can choose to conduct ourselves differently.”
The House12:29Tackling disorder in the House of Commons
Featured VideoNew House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus explains to Catherine Cullen how he hopes to bring more civility and decorum to Parliament, in a week that saw insults, rule-flouting, a disruptive Question Period — and a national poll showing Canadians are fed up with MPs’ antics in the House.
The new Speaker’s argument that House dysfunction was undermining itself got some additional backing this week. A new Angus Reid Institute poll showed many Canadians have a dim view of the institution’s activities, with respondents most likely to describe debates in the House as “posturing,” “useless” and “dishonest.”
Fergus said decorum has been the most common issue raised during his one-on-one conversations with MPs.
The new Speaker added he had seen “a real noticeable improvement in the decorum” in the past several weeks.
The House spoke with Fergus on Nov. 1, what he described as one of the “tougher” days of his short tenure so far. Question Period almost derailed completely as MPs heckled one another while Fergus appealed for calm.
The Speaker’s campaign for civility got off to a rocky start as Conservatives complained that his extensive speech on decorum was delaying QP.
Fergus’ efforts over the last two weeks have certainly not eliminated completely the sorts of interruptions or distractions that can often characterize debate in the House. Conservative MP Ben Lobb described the situation as “so-so” while Liberal MP Chris Bittle said the state of things could at times be “disgraceful.”
What does Canada’s House Speaker do?
Featured VideoLiberal MP Greg Fergus has been voted in as the new Speaker of the House of Commons. But what does the Speaker do and why is the role important to Canada’s democracy? Here’s everything you need to know.
NDP MP Charlie Angus said parliamentarians should not be aiming for some sort of idealized civility, with a House that is free of conflict.
“The idea that we’re all supposed to be well-behaved and super polite, sometimes there’s a falsity to that. These are serious issues, people should be passionate, people should be willing to challenge. The problem is when we get into mob behaviour, intimidation, shouting people down — that’s really gone well over the line,” he said.
Members must step up, Speaker says
Fergus told The House he hoped to set a good example and provide an environment where individuals MPs could choose to behave more productively.
An MP for the Quebec riding of Hull-Aylmer since 2015, Fergus served as parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and has a long history within Liberal partisan politics.
He said that, on balance, his record is positive — but not perfect.
“If you’re looking for a perfect person who had planned to be Speaker, I’m not that guy. I’ve made mistakes as every single one of us have made,” he said.
Fergus acknowledged that there’s something of a time crunch on his battle for decorum, as division and partisanship could ramp up ahead of an election that is at most two years away.
New Speaker’s speech on decorum faces delays, heckles
Featured VideoHouse of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus’s attempts to deliver a speech on decorum faced opposition as Conservatives said he shouldn’t have delayed question period to deliver his remarks.
“I think this is the reason why I need to start off very quickly on this issue, in terms of setting out what the expectations are,” he told Cullen. “If we take on that habit now well before the election, I think Canadians will be the real winners.”
Fergus said the aim is to empower MPs themselves to step up and choose to act in a different way.
“I think it’s always best to try to convince people to voluntarily conduct themselves in a way that is befitting of their role. When you do that, you have greater buy-in. It shouldn’t be up to me to be the arbiter of all things and force them into a role. They have to be a part of it,” he said.
“Frankly, if it’s up to me alone, it won’t succeed. It’s up to members.”
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
