Sometimes I have to applaud politicians, even one’s I don’t like that much.
On March 25, 2020, the Canadian House of Commons, after resuming discussion at 3:14 in the morning, passed a massive spending bill which then passed all phases of the House before sunrise. It was the biggest spending bill in the history of the Canadian Parliament. Some politicians, like Canada’s staunchly conservative Member of Parliament from Manitoba , Candace Bergen, not my favorite politician even though
she is a member of my tribe, had a very hard time swallowing it.
As the Winnipeg Free reported,
“This is a very heavy load to bear,” Bergen told her colleagues, her voice echoing through the nearly empty chamber.
The Manitoba MP is among the most partisan on the Hill, but wasn’t on this day.
“I am glad we can be here together — not always agreeing, but agreeing on one thing, that we are putting the needs of our fellow Canadians first and foremost,” she said.”
Then the Senate passed the huge bill in less than 4 hours. Without the traditional ceremony Governor General Julie Payette gave her royal assent while sitting at a table in a massive lobby at Rideau Hall.
Sometimes politics works!
Even in the U.S. that massively divided country, where politicians seldom agree on what day it is, the next day managed to get things done as well. The American Senate, after vigorous debate and good old fashioned comprises on all sides, did itself proud and passed a $2 trillion economic relief package to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. It also was the largest package in the history of that country. You may not like the details, just as you might not like the details of farmer sausage, but at least they put aside their astronomical difference and reached a historic agreement. It was historic because a Senate that divided almost exactly along party lines on the impeachment of Donald Trump agreed on this package unanimously. That’s impossible isn’t it?
I wish the politicians could managed to agree on other issues besides financial crises or wars, but I have to give them credit by working together to compromise.
Maybe next time they can do that on climate change, or poverty.