The MLA for Kootenay-Monashee says he’s embarrassed by behaviour displayed during question period and is calling on his colleagues to do better.
In a statement in the legislature this week, Steve Morissette said as a rookie MLA, he has “come to appreciate the dedication and hard work of members from all sides.”
“I am happy to say that, in my short experience, nearly all MLAs conduct themselves respectfully outside of this chamber,” he said. However, inside the chamber, he feels it’s a different matter.
Morissette said he respects hard questions and the responsibility of the opposition to ask hard questions. He said he also respects the right and responsibility of the government to defend its decisions and explain its policies. But he said he is disturbed with the way MLAs sometimes conduct themselves while doing so.
“I do not believe it is naive to expect better from all of us,” he said. “We can disagree on policy respectfully. We can debate respectfully. We can question and answer respectfully. Passion and respect are not mutually exclusive. Conviction does not require contempt.
Prior to becoming MLA, Morissette spent a decade on Fruitvale village council as mayor and councillor. He said in those roles, he never participated in or witnessed the “level of disrespect” that sometimes occurs in the legislature.
Morissette said people expect “spirited debate” and accountability from their MLAs, but also maturity and leadership, and for elected officials to model the behaviour they would like to see in their communities.
“I understand that question period is, in many ways, performative,” he said. “It is theatre as well as scrutiny.” But he said he feels embarrassed when students are in the gallery, observing their behaviour.
“What are we teaching them? Are we showing them that disagreement requires disrespect? That volume equals strength? That wit must come at the expense of civility? Or could we show them something better? I know we can do better.”
Morissette said the legislature has a “long-seeded culture,” but change is possible, “when we remember that the people who sent us here are watching, not for our cleverest line, but for our character.
“Decorum is not about dulling debate, it’s about elevating it. It’s not about silencing opposition, it is about strengthening democracy. It is not about removing passion, it is about anchoring that passion in respect.”
You can watch the video of Morissette’s entire statement below.
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