Dear editor,
From the Parliament of Canada Senate home page I discovered the following:
Senators’ main job is to examine bills proposed by the Government. Bills in the Senate go through a similar process of debate as in the House of Commons, and a bill must pass the Senate before it can become law.
Any senator may take part in the debate on a bill and propose amendments. In addition, senators may propose their own bills and initiate debates in the Chamber. Senators also work in committees, groups of five to 15 senators who focus on a specific policy area.
Not included on their website is any reference to “an alternate source of entertainment to the other Ottawa Senators — that hockey team."
In airport lounges and sports bars patrons may now flip channels to see which is the most exciting. Whether it is in the House of Commons, the ‘red chamber’ or on the ice the play is similar: Who is on defence, who is taking shots, who is on thin ice or who is checking whom against the boards? But alas it appears nobody has been checking anybody.
The whole affair reminds me of what Sir Walter Scott said: “Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practise to deceive!”
Now that three senators are up against the boards, possibly facing multiple-game suspensions, they are fighting back. So the question becomes — who is telling the truth and how much of the truth?
Should the prime minister’s office seemingly have such power over the Senate, a separate body in a democratic country? I think not.
It is sad to see that our government leaders, in both houses, seem involved in corruption and coverup. The shenanigans in the U.S. Congress may have to take a back seat to us when this is all over. Now is the time for us citizens of Canada to express our outrage to our members of Parliament.
This kind of entertainment comes at a cost. The credibility of our leaders is in question. They have been entrusted with so much responsibility, power and proper spending of taxpayers’ money.
History has shown us that when the citizenry of a country become complacent in a way we get what we deserve. We deserve honest, credible, responsive government willing to serve the people.
If you feel that you deserve honest, credible, responsive government, take up your pen and paper, draft and e-mail, or compose a tweet to your MP and prime minister. Demand changes that will bring back respect for those in government.
Are you willing to?
Ed Zirkwitz,
Royston