After a class trip to the legislative assembly during question period, I’m hopeful that proportional representation will be the outcome of the referendum on electoral reform.
While various Liberal and NDP MLAs engaged in a shouting match across no man’s land, others were too preoccupied by their phones (some using multiple devices). I was caught off guard by the incredible lack of co-operation and attention of these people allegedly representing our province.
The interactions didn’t seem to be about whether one party’s response was satisfactory, but about the other being better heard and achieving superiority. One side of the room would slam their desks in agreement, and it would not come down to attempting to lay aside differences and move on to more important matters, but to criticizing the other party for reading off their notes. Why was I observing such poor behaviour by our government? Is this the norm in parliament?
Andrew Weaver, Green Party MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, encountered my class on our way to the chambers and warned us not to take anything we saw as an example of how things should be.
For what reason is this legislative mess tolerated, and why hasn’t any action been taken to resolve it sooner?
I once looked up to government as an environment of formality, politeness and positive intent and resolution, but to think that way now is a challenge for me and a prime concern as a graduating Montessori high school student, who will be able to vote within a matter of months.
Evert Alasdair Lindquist
Victoria
