My partner and I were honoured to be invited to Government House in Regina to see friends Lyle Johnson and Wayne Cameron receive Saskatchewan Volunteer Medals recognizing their substantial volunteer careers.
Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre presented the medals and outlined the important role filled by volunteers.
“Volunteers aren’t paid,” she said. “Not because they are worthless. They are priceless.’’
During the reception, Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Megan Patterson approached us. Would we agree to come to the afternoon legislative session so she could introduce Lyle and Wayne? We all agreed.
Yours Truly was in the legislature last in the late 1960s with an editor in the press gallery. We just walked in.
Now visitors must be searched as if they were boarding a flight at the airport. Armed officers patrol the building.
This is what democracy in our intolerant post-pandemic world has become.
Following lunch at the cafeteria we were instructed on how to behave in the visitors’ gallery and ushered in.
The first part of the afternoon was taken up with introductions of visiting constituents from across the province, followed by petitions for services.
Then the “fun’’ began in question period.
Question period is a set time allowing the Opposition to ask questions, holding government to account and to allow government to respond and offer statements.
Health care was the big issue raised by the Opposition.
The opposing MLA said she had previously asked the health minister why there were so many days of closed emergency rooms (4,000) across the province and she said he responded, explaining a virtual doctor program.
Was the minister saying that a virtual doctor program is a substitute for emergency services?
A virtual doctor online can’t repair broken bones, she said.
After every exchange, the members of the side having just spoken thumped their desks or applauded loudly.
That can be annoying. Wonder if they get sore hands from the activity?
Yours Truly was reminded of a parliamentarian who once described the thumpers as trained seals.
The fray kept on as the question period continued.
The Opposition demanded the premier condemn U.S. President Donald Trump.
Part of the premier’s response was to claim the federal Liberals had taken over the NDP in the federal election.
Not quite correct. NDP voters strongly supported Conservatives in Ontario and parts of British Columbia in the election.
Twice the speaker asked for decorum and asked that no personal insults be made.
A Grade Eight Class from Regina in the gallery looked absolutely bored at the proceedings.
I hope their teacher ran them through a mock election with parties and policies before the visit so they learned that government amounts to more than childish heckling.
The legislature “debates’’ are just the tip of the iceberg for members who are doing their more rewarding jobs of assisting constituents and drafting laws.
One thought kept running through my mind. Why would anyone want to join this kind of life, hurling insults?
Even though it’s not perfect, our system is, in my mind, the best system around, allowing voters to have a say.
Incidentally, the premier’s responses this day usually started quietly, with voice volume gradually increasing. Was that the sound system, or is the premier trying to moderate his often loud voice?
We left just before the question period was over, thankful for volunteers and for those willing to run for office.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
