Is 91原创 Island, represented in Parliament by six New Democrats and one Green, frozen out of government? Will we who live on the far edge of Canada be ignored, spat upon, passed over or otherwise mistreated by the Liberal administration? Did we vote on the side of the losers?
That鈥檚 how some see the outcome of Monday鈥檚 election, in which the Liberals won a majority with 184 seats, but it鈥檚 an unnecessarily pessimistic view. The MPs who sit on the opposition side of the House will be at some disadvantage to those who sit on the government side, so the Island鈥檚 MPs will have to work harder to bring the region鈥檚 concerns to the government鈥檚 attention, but there鈥檚 no reason to believe they won鈥檛 be effective representatives.
Elizabeth May, Green Party leader and MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, has been an example of the power of one. Without a caucus, without the resources that come with official party status, she has not only represented her constituency well, but has been a positive influence on the entire House. She has earned the plaudits of her parliamentary colleagues for her civility, co-operative attitude and the way she grasps the complexities of legislative bills.
Even though the NDP came through the election a distant third, New Democrat MPs, with official party status and 44 seats, will not be an insignificant force.
MPs Randall Garrison and Murray Rankin have both said they were able to work with the Conservative government on Island issues. Working with the Liberals should be easier for the Island鈥檚 MPs, as they are philosophically closer to the Liberals than they were the Conservatives.
The Island holds a significant percentage of NDP seats in the House, so should have a strong voice in the party鈥檚 caucus, and they should be voices heard by the government.
Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau has pledged a more open, inclusive government. It will be the job of opposition MPs to ensure he keeps that promise. It is their job to ask questions and hold the government鈥檚 feet to the fire, but that doesn鈥檛 preclude cross-party co-operation.
We should not judge Parliament by question period, with all its posturing and partisan slings and arrows. The aim is to score points, not make points. Effect is more important than substance. But it鈥檚 mostly for show, for the entertainment of players and audience alike (although it鈥檚 sometimes hard to decide if the entertainment is comedy or horror).
The serious work happens in committees, where MPs from all parties work together. Friendships grow, networks are formed and effective compromises can be reached. Liberal MPs will have obviously more influence than opposition MPs in these committees, but they provide opportunities for all viewpoints to be considered.
The Liberals won a majority of seats, but the opposition parties are necessary components of our political system, and NDP MPs have long been known for effective opposition, for being a moral voice and a social conscience. Without parliamentary opposition, a government would grow arrogant, careless and unresponsive. A government that makes a mistake can be sure the opposition will seize upon that mistake with glee 鈥� and that鈥檚 OK.
Trudeau could easily increase representation for the region by appointing a senator from the Island, as we don鈥檛 have one. As long as the Senate still has a role in 91原创 government, we should have an opportunity to be represented in that chamber.
Meanwhile, 91原创 Island鈥檚 MPs were elected to take the Island鈥檚 concerns to Ottawa, and they will do that. They certainly have their work cut out for them, but the Island is not without representation.
