Mr. Speaker, every day in the House of Commons we are forced to witness a humiliating spectacle as government backbenchers rise to ask their own ministers the easy questions.
My heart goes out to these members as they perform their odious duty. I wonder what fears must cross their minds. What if they refuse? What if they make a mistake? What if the minister eager for the planted question misplaces his briefing notes?
It is refreshing that one backbencher, the member for York South-Weston, refuses to advise the front bench of his questions in advance. It is unfortunate that more Liberal backbenchers fail to place the interest of their constituents ahead of the party line.
Have pity for the lowly backbenchers today as they rise to lob beachballs at their political bosses. Pardon the ministers who make a sham out of question period by delivering speeches dressed up as answers. But most of all, pity the listening public which graciously endures the public daily humiliation of members who wish they could just say no.