John Ivison, the National Post's colorful and acerbic columnist, correctly describes Wednesday's rulings from the Speaker on questions of parliamentary privilege as two black eyes for the Harper government. As someone who in the past year has had three or four black eyes of my own – with clearly no impact on my beauty thanks to Jacquie, CTV's wonderful make-up lady – I can tell you they do heal and leave no visible scars.
Two things from John's column leap out at me and my clear eyes today. He correctly argues that as opposed to being an empty chamber without influence, Peter Milliken's rulings illustrate that Parliament does have power and this has been clearly recognized. There are legitimate debates still to be had about where cabinet confidence begins and ends. And as John Baird suggested, the Liberals embrace of open parliamentary democracy is in and of itself likely for their own partisan purposes as opposed to solely a newfound religious zeal for an effective body politic. I suspect that, despite their apparent Charlie Sheen-type rehabilitation and Athenian embrace of open and transparent debate, the Liberals still very much remain on probation with the public when it comes to matters of transparency, ethics or parliamentary reform. As much as I am fond of Jean Chrétien, statues are not being erected to honor his commitment to democratic vibrancy – though fountains in Shawinigan are another matter entirely.
Others have come forward with better critiques about the pitfalls that come for the government with these rulings. However, there are challenges that lay ahead for the opposition – and the Liberals in particular – as the Commons procedure and House affairs committee studies and provides further commentary on the rulings. Specifically, if the Liberals are legitimate about making Parliament work properly and fairly, which I doubt, they must ensure that committee hearings don't become kangaroo court sessions aimed solely at bolstering Michael Ignatieff's poll numbers for an election his team seems to want. That same caution should be applied to all parties but it is more acute for the Liberals as they're bizarrely trying to appropriate the transparency label. Unless the entire population is crippled with senility, this should not be possible even though historical memories are short these days.
The government is not without its own opportunity here. To be free of scarring, the Conservatives must to try to sincerely embrace the rulings and offer answers to the concerns raised by the Speaker. Already the government is signaling it respects the rulings and Bev Oda's appearance in the House on Wednesday afternoon to offer comment on the decision pertinent to her was a good first step. A resolution was found to the Afghan detainee document decision brought forward by the Speaker. If the will is there on enough sides it is possible here as well. If the opposition is sincere about not wanting an election they will play ball; if not they will create their own parliamentary dysfunction to achieve their goal. Now that'd be a black eye that even Jacqui would have trouble clearing up.