What is happening in the House of Commons when a member of parliament can walk across the floor and stand over the opposition party member, wave his finger at him and scold him as though he were the parent of a misbehaving child? Correct me if I'm wrong, but if a member of parliament uses profanity while addressing the floor, he or she is asked to apologize and often is sent from the chambers until this occurs. To me it's a much more grievous behaviour to actually cross over to the opposition benches and act and speak in an intimidating manner. Why no censure? Why was the member not cast from the chamber and punished in an appropriate manner? Why hasn't the Prime Minister spoken out against such behaviour? His silence on the matter appears to be condoning the behaviour, or even worse, speaks to his ineffectiveness in setting a good example. If this behaviour is tolerated anything goes and soon we'll have a free-for-all happening. Okay, so it is already, but until now it was limited to verbal jabs and jeering. Even that is intolerable when we consider that these are elected representatives of the people of Canada who are supposed to looking after our best interests.
The speaker of the house needs to take charge when this occurs and assess "damages", so to speak. Otherwise, why bother having a Speaker.
If this isn't taken seriously by the House of Commons we will no longer be able to depend on a reliable, trustworthy system to take care of the needs of the nation. This is the thin edge of the wedge. It must be addressed seriously and not allowed to reoccur. If it isn't treated as a serious contravention of parliamentary protocol, the "Commons Bullies" will rule the roost and all hell will break loose.
Very sad and very frightening!
