As is the custom in Canadian politics, the newly elected speaker of the House of Commons had to be "dragged" to his seat today. A bit of theatre for the soon to open Spring season of the Follies Canadianna.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Bill Graham the temporary seat holder on the Liberal side, assisted by Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe's good wishes sent returning speaker Peter Milliken off to his place at the head of the Commons. Milliken had just won an election of his peers in the House to take the gavel and attempt to keep some semblance of order in the disorderly debating society we call Parliament.
The tradition of resisting goes back through the ages, but one look at the compensation package for the guardian of debate would make one think they should be lusting after the job, temperamental MP's notwithstanding.
With a bump up of 70,000 dollars from the MP base of 147,000 dollars, refereeing the squabbles and pettiness comes with a pretty healthy pay day, not to mention the perks of an office staff, car, security detail and a shack in the Gatineaus Hills to call your own.
CTV has outlined the trials and tribulations, rewards and salutations that come with the title of Speaker of the House, while Rafe Mair offers up some solutions to the usual bad behaviour that has come to be expected of Parliament.
From a distance it's really not that bad a gig when you get down to it, all you need to do is attempt to keep things moving, show your determination once in a while and then sit back and let your former equals act like jack assess. You come out smelling like a rose and running to the bank.
So never mind kicking and screaming on your way down the aisle Mr. Milliken, you should be clicking your heels all the way to Oz. The sandbox opens daily and you're the duty teacher day in and day out. If things get too bad, just send the kids back to their parents (voters), maybe they can straighten them out with a bit of time away.
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