This is Minority Report, excerpt from the weekly newsletter on federal politics is. If you haven't subscribed yet, click here . Is the 37th chair of the House of Representatives and the first to preside over theHybrid Conference of the House of Representatives — Innovation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This week, Congress's spring seats have closed — The house is now postponed until September — Rota last week with CBC News about her recent return from cardiac surgery. talked. Keeping order during the question period, new security concerns, and the potential future of hybrid sitting.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: Let's start with you. You obviously hadheart surgerya few months ago. How is your recovery? How do you feel when you get back to work?
A: I've been back for over a month and it's working very well. I think the recovery was better than expected, which is good, but a little better than I expected. To be honest, I expected to be back in three weeks. Of course I guess my doctor. But it took me a while to recover and I'm still recovering. I talked to other people who had bypass surgery or open heart surgery, but it took at least three months to recover and then returned to normal in a year. Overall, I feel pretty good about it. I found near the end of the day and the energy levels aren't at previous levels, but they're back. I notice the difference every day.
Q: Obviously, etiquette is always a concern, but how do you find a home tenor at this point?
A: Compared to other years, they are actually doing well. And there is a coordinated effort by the whip and house leader to keep a certain amount of courtesy in the room, which is highly appreciated. It can seem out of control, but it's emotional at the end of every session, which is no different than any other session. But, believe it or not, the etiquette is actually better, so we have to acknowledge the work of the whip and the house leader.
Q: I don't know how often I see the British Parliament, but their speakers are, for example, heavy. Anger, frank about putting people in their place. And I've always found that Canadian speakers take some kind of lighter approach, lighter hand to things – and I think it will continue with you Do you think it will work?
A: Well, I remember what my dad said to me. Honey gets far more bees than vinegar. And that's what I think is important when you're trying to stay calm. I've spoken out several times, but it can be more experimental than anything else. They take you seriously when they are accustomed to being calm all the time, when you are speaking out, or when you are a little harsh. What I'm always looking at is, ok, how this is the moment of learning. And I rarely choose one MP and make those examples. What I usually do is ok, this is what the rules say, and I just want to make sure everyone knows. And those who are acting or have problems know who I'm talking to ... and they settle down quickly. Even if you hit your wrist openly to embarrass yourself, you don't know if it will be achieved except to make you feel embarrassed in front of everyone, but that's not the purpose. It means getting peace in the room, which usually works pretty well.
Q: There was an intervention ofin February, but in, "I received an email from someone watching us at home. Screaming. I'm pretty ashamed of Congress because it continues. " Do you hear a lot from Canadians who are angry with it by watching the question period or catching a clip on TV?
A: There are a few people who email me every week and say: How can I prevent them from yelling at each other? Or; be more strict with certain people. And I think everyone has a different style. We've seen speakers that are very strict with people and speakers that try to work with people, but I think working with people will take us even further. But overall, I'm surprised that many people see it and it takes time to actually write it. This is very much appreciated because it's always great to be able to get input and act on it.
Q: I'm currently chairing Congress, but I'm concerned about democracy and political conflicts in other countries. When you think about it, does it have a different sensation?
A: Well, democracy relies on civilized debate and debate, and that's what we want to do. We want to keep it civilized. As soon as people start yelling at each other, we lose it. It is a civic discourse that is very important to our democracy. Therefore, it is important to keep it at a certain level. Now, during the debate, you will find that everything is pretty quiet. Usually, when everyone gets together during the questioning period, the emotions rise. And sometimes it's more powerful than an individual and they will shout out comments. That is the old man. What I really hate is when they try to drown the person they're talking to. It's because you're suddenly being bullied, not a heckler. And that means it shouldn't be forgiven, whether it's the government or the opposition.
Q: There were clear security concerns around the Parliamentary Hill and the security of individual members of parliament. In addition to your obligations at the Chamber of Commerce, how much interest is security at this point.
A: Security is always a concern. We began investigating this when I was first elected, and shortly after the COVID was declared . We have begun to see the various parliaments around the world and what they are doing to protect their members. And we actually have meetings with other parliaments, including the United Kingdom. Speaker Lindsay Hoylehas become a very good friend. We have consulted with each other quite regularly. We brought in guards, including guards. They brought their people and compared the notes. They learned a lot from them because they lost two MPs in a violent [attack]. Since then, what we have done is to include measures to enhance the security of parliamentarians. It includes security assessments of parliamentarians' homes and offices, security equipment, advice, and awareness of some things that can happen. We included some training on how to get involved with local police, not only on how to protect yourself in Ottawa, but also on horseback riding. Therefore, there are many different variables there. The sad part is that many of them are very unpredictable and you don't know where they come from.
Q: I know the hybrid parliament is a political debate, so I'm not asking you to consider it.
A: Thank you. Thank you very much.
Q: But from a technical and logistical point of view, do you think it's working?
A: I feel it's a place where it works. However, there are cases like [this week] when the Internet goes down and there is not much you can do about it. This affects the operation of the parliament. Now, the decision to continue is up to the leaders of the House of Representatives and Congress. Overall, it has been very helpful so far and COVID has allowed us to adapt to new technologies. Whether to keep them is a question that we all think we have to ask ourselves, and it's interesting to see where it goes.
Q: Over the last two years, I have presided over the Hybrid Congress I have changed my speaker job.
A: Like everything else we do under COVID, it has influenced the way we do things. But the main principle remains the same. It is to maintain the politeness of the Chamber of Commerce, which is now spreading nationwide via the Internet. It got a little harder and certainly a learning experience, but what happened with COVID is probably learning how to use new tools that can be used a little more often. road. One of the things I'm worried about is that I don't want to be in the status quo. And I'm worried that someone in the hybrid system is just saying. What do you know, I don't feel like going to Ottawa this week, I'm going to do this from home – where the home may be in Canada. It's nice to have that option, but the rules about when it's available should be very clear and concise.
Q: Are you worried about the impact on the relationships between members of parliament? I remember reading once that the proposal to introduce electronic voting was in the 80's or 90's. One of the discussions about it became one of the only opportunities for MPs to all be in the same room. Because they are voting, electronic voting will eliminate the opportunity for MPs to know, talk, communicate and share information with each other. Is that your concern?Are you worried that the MPs will be separated from each other and you will lose your connection to humans?
A: In fact, that's one of my biggest concerns. Being not in the same room, we overlook the fact that connections, lots of discussions, lots of deals, and lots of compromises are usually done together in the lobby, hallways, and offices. It's not what you get from the internet. Video conferences are not the same as meeting in person. You may not get the same sensation just from person-to-person facial expressions, body language, and facial expressions. You can determine where you are, if you need a backup, and if this is a good idea. please. So yes, I'm very worried about losing contact with humans. Because, in fact, when we personally know each other, not only is there someone on the screen, but the other side of the floor where you have never actually sat down. One of the initiatives I've taken since I came to the speaker's job was trying to have as much dinner as possible with MPs. We meet once a week to have members of different political parties sit next to each other. Therefore, you are not allowed to sit next to someone at the same party. And we randomly choose people and bring them. And by the end of the supper, people got to know each other better, they are no longer strangers, and I'm not the one I want to crush on the other side. My friend John or Mary on the other side. I will talk to her and see what we can solve.