In comparison with the nineties, I don't think the decorum in the House now is worse; however, it's a lot louder now, I notice, than it was before. I don't think the individual comments and the kinds of remarks that are hurled about are worse, but it's a heck of a lot louder.
I've thought about that and wondered why it's so much louder now. Maybe it's because we're in a minority Parliament and the official opposition and the government are almost equally balanced. I don't know whether that's an answer or not, but it's definitely louder, and it's harder to hear different members when they're speaking, if you're not using your earpiece.
I don't think the way members refer to each other or the respect they show each other has gotten better, though.
I'm a parliamentarian, but I'm also a mother. I learned very early on when I was raising my children that there had to be consequences for bad behaviour. I think we know that throughout society. Teachers know it, and people who work with young people know it. In any facet of society, we know there have to be consequences for repeated bad behaviour.
I think that's what's lacking right now. In the court of public opinion, our Parliament does not have the respect it had many years ago, perhaps; I don't know. Maybe it never had it, but it seems to me I get more comments now, from people in my community and in the travelling I do, that they feel discouraged and disillusioned a bit about the kind of behaviour that goes on in Parliament. I really think we have a responsibility to deal with this, because it's dangerous for society in general and for the health of our own democracy.