Editor:
Where my understanding of Canadian political procedure, both federal and provincial, is still in its learning curve (I was raised in a different country), my understanding of debating is pretty clear. First one side and then the other raises salient points, and at the conclusion the debate leaders (both of them) put forth their final arguments.
Agricultural Minister Norm Letnick protests that he was following the “rules of the House” and it is a shame that Nicholas Simons, his parliamentary opposite, could not speak. His observation that, after all, the NDP did have 42 minutes to discuss the issue, does not excuse the House from ensuring the opportunity for Simons to speak. In my opinion, the rules of the House ought to be revisited for protocol and parliamentary courtesy for every subject under debate.
Is that not what democracy is about?
Monica Davis, Sechelt
