Environment Minister Rona Ambrose is planning to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Nairobi. Rona Ambrose won't be going alone:
Parliament Hill's feud over the environment is set to become a sideshow on the international stage next week when government leaders from around the globe huddle in Kenya.
All three opposition parties plan to follow Environment Minister Rona Ambrose to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Nairobi and tell the world the government's position on global warming doesn't jibe with most Canadians.
"Canadians are divided, and the majority of them think that, first of all, the Conservative government isn't doing a very good job on climate change," said Liberal environment critic John Godfrey. "So what we will do is reflect the majority of Canadians' opinions at the Nairobi meeting."
NDP critic Nathan Cullen said Ambrose embarrassed the country at a conference in Germany, when she announced the government would not meet its Kyoto Protocol commitments.
"This is a minority government with a minority position," Cullen said.
Cullen's point is off the mark. It might be a minority position, but the Conservatives form the largest minority in Parliament, and that's why they form the government. To say that the Liberals, the NDP, and the Bloc Quebecois form a majority position is to say that they share the same position, which they don't. Except that they don't like the Conservatives, of course, but that doesn't count. They don't like each other either, and that includes not liking each other's environmental platforms.
But put aside environmental stuff for a moment. The role of the Loyal Opposition is clear:
In Canada, the party with the greatest number of elected representatives that is not the governing party becomes Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. This party takes the lead in holding the Government accountable for its policies and actions. The leader of this party becomes the leader of the Official Opposition, sitting directly across from the Prime Minister. The duty of the Official Opposition and other opposition parties is to “challenge” government policies and suggest improvements, and present an alternative to the current Government’s policy agenda.
Opposition members have various opportunities to influence the formulation of laws and policies, including the daily Question Period in the House of Commons. The Opposition is allocated 20 “Opposition Days” or “Supply Days” each calendar year when it can propose a motion for debate and criticize the Government on issues of broad national policy. Members of opposition parties also serve on parliamentary committees in both the Senate and the House of Commons.
In the Senate, the Opposition often plays a less partisan role. The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate leads the Opposition in debate, coordinates its daily activities and confers with the Leader of the Government in the Senate on its business. The Leader of the Opposition, like the Leader of the Government, is an ex officio member of all standing committees and helps coordinate party strategy.
The role is a parliamentary one related to the formulation of legislation and the demanding answers of ministers for their decisions and actions. It is a role the aids in the function of the House to maximize the chances of good laws being passed.
The Loyal Opposition is not a rabble of placard waving yahoos with the goal of undermining the government. For better or for worse, Rona Ambrose is the voice of Canada on environmental matters. The opposition can grill Ambrose during Question Period on her performance in the role. But to go outside of the confines of the House of Commons and question her legitimacy in front of an international audience is bordering on seditious. Expecially when these opposition MPs make it clear to their audience that they are elected members of parliament, and so use that fact as part of their pitch, as I have no doubt they will. Being an MP is not license to sabotage the function of government, including representing government policy in an international forum.
Remember that this is not about hurting the Conservatives. It is about hurting Canada. What will the governments of other countries think when Canada shows up at a conference, opposition members in tow, squabbling in public and generally wasting valuable air time? No one will take Canada seriously. And that won't end when one day the Conservatives are no longer the government. The Liberals and the NDP should consider that whatever damage to Canada's credibility they "succeed" at causing is damage that will affect any party holding the reins of power in the future. As for the Bloc Quebecois, well, they probably see that damage as a good thing.
These opposition MPs would do well to remember that parliamentary privilege only applies within parliamentary precincts. If they use their status and government-provided funds to undermine the function of government, they might be in for some serious trouble.
I doubt, though, that any action would be pursued. Too bad. Sometimes I think the opposition in this parliament needs a good slap to remind them just what the job really entails.
