Roundup: Time allocation’s a-coming

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Getting people worked up over the weekend was the revelation that Government House Leader Barish Chagger had sent a letter to her opposition counterparts noting that she planned to use time allocation a little more often this fall, in order to help get the government’s agenda through (with the note that things were taking longer in the Senate as a consequence of some of the changes there). And immediately, a number of pundits got upset with the whole notion, because Trudeau was supposed to be different, and time allocation is a great evil that’s used to “clamp down” on debate, and so on.

Let me be the first to remind you that in and of itself, time allocation isn’t all that bad if used responsibly. Part of why it became a big issue in the last election was because the Conservatives – and most especially then-Government House Leader Peter Van Loan – used it for everything under the sun, because they were inept at House management, and they had so abused things like omnibus legislation that the whole legislative process itself had largely broken down, hence why it became necessary to schedule by means of time allocation. It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t responsible, but it got done.

Part of our problem is that all parties in this country have lost our ability to manage our debates. One of the most pressing examples is with Second Reading debate, where it’s supposed to be about the general principle of a bill – is it a good idea or not – and that’s it. It shouldn’t take more than an afternoon, but no. Instead, we have to speechify into the record, and for some reason insist that on routine bills, take days for “is this a good idea or not” debate. More time should be spent at committee, but that’s often where we have been clamping down even further, because apparently, we need more terrible, scripted speeches being written into the record that aren’t debate. The logical result of this broken system of debate is that time allocation becomes a more regular feature because we’re no longer actually debating, we’re speechifying. So if we don’t want to see the government resort to time allocation, then maybe we need to start thinking meaningfully about fixing our broken debate practices so that our debate actually have meaning again. But that may be too novel of a suggestion.

The NDP Leadership:

Yesterday was the NDP leadership “showcase,” the last chance for candidates to make an impression on the membership before the voting begins. It’s a preferential ballot that takes place over three weeks, where those voting online will have a chance to change their votes between ballots. The issue of Quebec’s bill on banning face coverings blew open further over the weekend, with MP Pierre Nantel reiterating his threats to leave caucus over it, while Guy Caron’s speech included the nonsense position that he didn’t think the state should dictate what men and women can wear…except if the Quebec National Assembly says so. Such bravery.

Here’s Aaron Wherry’s analysis of the final leg of the NDP leadership, while the Star tries to evaluate whether any of the candidates can re-create their 2011 success. John Geddes looks at the leadership race from its tone of avoiding real debate in favour of trying to push the party back to the left. Alice Funke, aka Pundit’s Guide, offers her “job description” for party leader.

Good reads:

  • Justin Trudeau was in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, yesterday, and spoke at the funeral of Alan J. MacEachen.
  • While Trudeau is off to the UN General Assembly on tomorrow, here’s a look at what’s on the plates of the various meetings there.
  • Another group of doctors opposed the CMA’s position on the tax changes, and wants the government to press ahead with their changes.
  • Chrystia Freeland told a rally in Toronto that what’s happening in Myanmar “looks like ethnic cleansing,” which is very specific language that could have consequences.
  • The government’s passport modernization programme has gone off the rails. Imagine that.
  • Maclean’s has a longread about what’s gone wrong with the MMIW Inquiry.
  • Andrew Scheer says that Senator Lynn Beyak “no longer has a role” in caucus, but she’s not being kicked out (which may not be the worst thing).
  • Here is Paul Wells’ take on the chaotic situation that will be Parliament’s return today.

Odds and ends:

A funeral for Liberal MP Arnold Chan will be held in Toronto on Saturday.

Senator Patrick Brazeau hasn’t ruled out his own lawsuit akin to one like Senator Duffy is launching against the Senate, the government, and the RCMP.

Wab Kinew has won the provincial NDP leadership in Manitoba, and becomes leader of the opposition there.