Moving Towards a More Gentle Style of Politics

Saturday, January 14, 2006 03:45 AM

At least two top level Provincial Government officials favour moving away from the "attack ad" and confrontational type of politics.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Shirley Bond and Finance Minister Carole Taylor say other Legislative Assemblies and the federal House of Commons are looking at how the Legislature of BC has been able to change the confrontational attitude that existed previously.

When asked about the attack ads being aired across Canada in the Federal election race, Shirley Bond said the 2005 legislature in British Columbia was very different from the past when name calling and a confrontational attitude existed every day. "In our legislature, we now ask and get an answer in a more meaningful way which is a credit to all parties in BC. "

Finance Minister Carole Taylor echoed those thoughts "Other government leaders from across Canada are having a look at how we operate." She also says "Some schools in the Ottawa area refuse to take their children to the House of Commons because of the constant attacks that go on."

Bond says bringing about change is not easy "It will take the leadership of the parties to say that we don’t like this anymore to make that change."
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Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 03:45 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: ammonra on January 14 2006 9:59 AM

Interesting. Two Liberal MLAs are highlighted for this positive step, when it is due almost exclusively to the approach insisted on by Carol James, leader of the NDP. Not a single mention of her, though. I always thought it was "Credit where credit is due".

Posted by: diplomat on January 14 2006 10:43 AM

With Ms. Joy MacPhail finally having left the Victoria political scene a more civilized behaviour in the Legislature is indeed a possibility...although I wouldn't bet on it.

Posted by: ammonra on January 14 2006 12:39 PM

Quite possibly, after all the people who were treating Ms. McPhail with such gross contempt are still there.

Posted by: camoose on January 14 2006 1:45 PM

With gary Collins gone it goes a long way in the direction of civility in the house.

Posted by: diplomat on January 14 2006 1:51 PM

A whole new bunch of MLAs have taken up the slack, so anything is possible!

Normal rules of ethics and behaviour are left behind by ALL participants when they enter into the hallowed chambers of democracry.

That's politics. There are no saints, unless one chooses to be blind enough not to see.

Joy herself said that "politics is a blood sport."

Posted by: Percy on January 14 2006 7:57 PM

Always look for the fruit when evaluating the success of the BC Legislature sessions.

Is the example being set appropriate for every up and coming member of parliament? Or, do you think things can be improved a little?

I think things can and should be improved alot. Percy