"Get a grip": kudos to Layton

Jack Layton made this statement in the Commons today, in relation to this sorry incident,  and I can't tell you how glad I am he did. First, the statement speaks for itself. Second, he did this on behalf of, and in defence of a Liberal MP, flying in the face of the ugly partisan tribalism that is Question Period these days.

L'hon. Jack Layton (Toronto—Danforth, NPD): Monsieur le Président, les citoyens nomment un député à cette Chambre pour représenter leurs valeurs de coopération et de respect mutuel. Nous assistons régulièrement à des écarts de comportement du députés qui déshonorent la confiance que les gens ont placé en nous.

During question period we have been witnessing undeniably sexist heckling from members of the government side. This abuse is growing hotter, it is growing more frequent and there is more bullying. I can hear some of it now, except in this case it is not targeting women as it all too often does in this chamber. It targets women representing opposition parties, all the opposition parties in the House.

L'intimidation sexiste n'est aucunement justifiable au Canada et ne peut en aucun cas être tolérée dans notre Parlement.

As a parliamentarian, as a man, a father, a grandfather, I call on the government's leadership to really get a grip on its members and set a higher standard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Gabby in QC]

I hope you'll forgive me posting what I already posted at David Akin's on the same topic (comment still under moderation).

Here's an expanded version of that comment I wrote:
I wonder if Mr. Layton made similar comments when Denis Coderre referred to then Environment Minister Rona Ambrose as a decorative flower pot or something similar, back in 2006.

The Minister of Fisheries & Oceans Gail Shea is often drowned out by the Liberal hootin' and hollerin' as well. I haven’t noticed Mr. Layton rise in her defence. Or in defence of Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, both of whom do not have the strong voice Ms. Bennett has.

In any event, I’m afraid Ms. Bennett invites hootin’ and hollerin’ because of her irate interventions, not because she’s a female.

We women have demanded equality, have attained it by and large, and should be prepared to accept the same kind of treatment meted out to any MP who would say the kind of silly things in the same way Ms. Bennett has often done. Sometimes I fear she may have a stroke right on the spot.

I would rather Mr. Layton discourage the kind of nonsense viewers of Question Period saw on Monday:
http://www.canada.com/technology/Boisterous+climate+change+protest+hits+Hill/2146933/story.html
“OTTAWA — Six people were arrested and released, and two were injured — one bleeding from his mouth — after more than 120 people were forcibly removed from the House of Commons on Monday after interrupting question period with a climate-change protest. …”

That was a true affront to the decorum we would all like to see observed in the House, and an affront to both men and women MPs who were going about their business.

[Sheila Gervais]

As you are well aware Susan, several international and organizational studies indicate that gender equity (or close to it - what is termed "critical mass") in legislatures tends to lead to changes in decision-making (the type and nature of legislation and decisions). But these changes are firstly enabled by the change in conduct and behaviour (the discussions that lead to the decisions and legislation) of individual legislators and of legislatures as a whole as a result of a better gender balance. One of the dangers of course when the gender balance slips or is too one-sided is that one gender must act or react like the other in order to "fit in" - otherwise they will either be viewed as outsiders or as mavericks.

On Tuesday, the World Economic Forum released its annual Global Gender Gap Index. "News" (there hasn't been much) about this in Canada reported that Canada had improved its position over last year (from #31 out of 130 countries to #25). When one looks at the various sub-indexes (economic performance; educational attainment; health and survival; and, political empowerment), Canada at least ranks above the average on the first three. With respect to Political Empowerment, Canada ranks #62 out of 134 countries.

Mr. Layton is right. We need to set a higher standard. Behaviour in the House needs to change. The way to do it is not by putting women down for being women (or men for being men) but to recognize the public benefits and find ways to improve the balance.