Driedger performed admirably as Speaker

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This article was published 05/07/2019 (2671 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Very few individuals enter Manitoba political life with the hope of one day telling their grandchildren they were once Speaker of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly. Most ambitious politicians aspire, or conspire, to be premier, or at least a member of cabinet, where the key governing decisions are made.

The Speaker is the principal officer of the legislature, the guardian of its privileges and the protector of the rights of all members. As the presiding officer, she is expected to apply the rules and practices of the legislature impartially, competently and fairly. The Speaker is also head of the administration of the legislature in charge of the overseeing (through the all-party legislative assembly management committee, which she chairs) its budgeting, staffing and operations.

In recent years, physical and cybersecurity of the precinct of the legislature has become a big part of these administrative responsibilities. There is also a ceremonial role for the Speaker in hosting visits by dignitaries.

There is a clash between two perspectives on the organization and operation of the legislature: does it exist to serve all members, which means it will operate under the formal authority of the Speaker? Or must political parties dominate it, which means the premier and the governing party will take control over most aspects of its operations?

The tradition has been to see the legislature as a prize that political parties claim after election victories. This tradition has meant less independence and authority for the Speaker.

For most of Manitoba’s history, Speakers were chosen by the premier, an arrangement that implied the job was a consolation prize for government MLAs who were not given cabinet positions.

In November 1999, for the first time, the legislature elected the Speaker by a secret-ballot vote. Even though the premier designates the government’s preferred candidate, any MLA other than a minister or party leader can stand for election.

A majority government usually gets who it wants as Speaker, but an election sends a signal that the Speaker is meant to represent all MLAs and to act in a nonpartisan manner.

Following the victory of the Progressive Conservatives in the 2016 election, Myrna Driedger, the PC MLA for Charleswood, was elected Speaker. Before her first election in 1998, she had an impressive record of accomplishment in her private life. During her time in opposition after the 1999 election, she performed effectively as deputy party leader and designated critic on a diverse range of topics.

It was a surprise, therefore, that she was not appointed to Pallister’s first cabinet. Despite what would be understandable disappointment, Driedger has embraced the duties of Speaker in a serious and thoughtful manner. From my observation, she has presided over the legislature in a highly competent and impartial manner.

Because it involves partisan competition for power, ideological disagreements, individual ambition and basic human emotions such as frustration and anger, the legislature can never be a polite debating society. It is the Speaker’s job to ensure free and civil debate.

To promote decorum, MLAs are required to address their remarks through the Speaker rather than directly to the members opposite. To avoid personal animosities, they must address one another as “the honourable member” for a particular constituency. Un-parliamentary language, such as calling someone a liar, forces the Speaker to demand a retraction and, potentially, to issue a suspension should the offending MLA refuse to retract the remark.

Question period is the highest-profile proceeding of the legislature, in which the government is supposedly forced to boast and confess about its actions and inactions. However, grandstanding and heckling by MLAs from all parties often undermines the value of question period as an accountability device. Speaker Driedger has demonstrated the capacity to read the shifting mood in the chamber, staring down rambunctious MLAs and offering stern reminders that the theatrical negativity does damage to the image of the institution.

The session of the legislature that adjourned on June 3 was particularly unruly, and therefore a challenging one for the Speaker. Speculation about an early election — now set for Sept. 10 — amped up the partisan clashes. The session also included accusations of sexual misconduct and sexist language involving MLAs from the two main parties, which prompted the Speaker to launch a review of the legislature’s policies intended to promote and to protect a respectful culture.

Driedger has been a good Speaker. To emphasize her independence, she apparently withdrew from all partisan events and activities. She has also been prepared to heed the quality advice on procedural and other matters that comes from the clerk and other officers of the legislature.

If she were re-elected, the new legislature would be lucky to have her back in the Speaker’s chair.

Paul G. Thomas is professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba.