Ottawa

It takes a swear word

Speaking with reporters after QP this morning, Pat Martin claims a kind of victory.

I think it’s great that Canadians are engaged in a subject like the integrity of their Parliamentary democracy.  I’ve never seen so many people talking about the value of Parliament since the Charlottetown Accord … I think it’s great that Canadians are engaged in a subject like the integrity of their Parliamentary democracy.  I’ve never seen so many people talking about the value of Parliament since the Charlottetown Accord…

It’s a very fragile balance. The whole institution of Parliament is a very fragile construct.  Both players have to stipulate themselves to a set of rules to make it work. The Conservatives have to cooperate and consult and to accommodate the legitimate concerns of Opposition or it’s going to go up like a tinderbox. We have to keep a lid on it because it is worth fighting for. Sometimes civility is sacrificed but today this is a very heated debate. We’re dealing with closure yet again in the Canadian Wheat Board.  Emotions are going to rise unless the Conservatives back off and cooperate a little bit.

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