Lessons that could be learned on Parliament Hill

Conservatives and Liberals may be slinging mud at one another now that the federal campaign is under way, but in the hinterland of Queen's Park they practice a considerably more civilized form of politics.

Nowhere was this more in evidence than in Nepean-Carleton Progressive Conservative MPP John Baird's farewell to the Ontario Legislature on Monday afternoon.

Baird, who is the Conservative candidate in the federal seat of Ottawa West-Nepean, was enjoying the tributes being paid him and other would-be federal candidates, Conservative Jim Flaherty and New Democrat Marilyn Churley, when he looked across the aisle at Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty.

"A special word to the Premier, who represents the riding beside me," said the departing MPP.

"I genuinely look forward to working with you in the months ahead for the benefit of the people of the province of Ontario. A new government in Ottawa won’t be the solution to every problem, but I think it will bring a constructive approach to begin to address some of the many challenges which you have rightly campaigned throughout the province on," he said.

McGuinty, who represents Ottawa South, smiled at nodded at that.