Squelching Freedom of Political Expression

Well, it doesn't have very good optics, and the Liberals seem to have a case when they accuse the prime minister and his parliamentarian cohorts of waging "a fundamental attack on freedom of political expression".

This expression of dismay contained in their statement of defence against the $2.5-million libel suit Stephen Harper has launched as a result of bribery allegations brought against him personally, in the now-forgotten "Chuck Cadman affair" that erupted latterly in the House of Commons.

It's highly unusual, that such a degree of umbrage would be evinced as to persuade a prime minister to resort to what can only be considered a legal stifling of opinion. On the other hand, the web site of the Liberal Party did cast very serious aspersions on the honour, credibility and personal ethics of the Prime Minister of Canada.

That in and of itself is not only a serious breach of parliamentary ethics, but constitutes a legal basis for bringing action in the courts as a result of their defamatory nature of accusation.

And they did have ample opportunity to remove those libellous accusations. The Prime Minister stood in the House and warned them that his reputation - both as an individual who takes pride in his personal code of conduct and as an parliamentarian elected to the highest office of the land - was not to be trifled with in such a manner.

Stephane Dion and the Liberal Party officials remained belligerently defiant, and this is what they've brought down upon themselves.

Although there can be some merit in claiming that resorting to the courts in response to slander can have a chilling effect on political discourse, there is also the not-quite trifling matter of political bumptiousness plunging peoples' usual common-sense into the toilet of rank disrespect for the sensibilities and reputations of others they so casually seek to besmirch.

So, perhaps, viewing this particular situation in the round, it's just desserts. Still, however, setting an unsettling precedent.

And there's more, all appearing to emanate from the Conservative Party, currently representing the government of Canada, with reputation-sensitive parliamentarians prickling over representations levied by the opposition members of the House imputing corruption or underhanded dealings by those on the government benches.

Character assassination at any time represents a not-well-tolerated ad-hominen attack in lieu of responsible inter-party legislators' representation of the country's interests.

Even unelected parliamentary staff are now following the example of their members of parliament, with a Liberal MP being sued by a minister's chief of staff. Bravado, intimidation, swagger, discourtesy, irritated sensibilities, outraged apprehensions, all play their part in these latest manifestations of the dysfunction of Canada's current parliament.

Where it might seem reasonable to the voter that all of the parties with members elected to parliament might deem it feasible to act together in good faith for the good of the country, the opposite is the reality. Everyone wanting to score points. Waiting for the opportunity to leap forward with accusations of inadequacy, hypocrisy, self-serving point-making, televised verbal parries and thrusts.

Behaviour more acceptable in a classroom of unruly hormone-addled teen-agers than intelligent and mature individuals priding themselves on their parliamentary entitlement, throwing decorum, common sense and restraint to the winds.

This has been, however, a tight-lipped government, one not willing to communicate well. Either with the press or with the opposition. There are no open lines of communication between the government benches and those of the opposition.

Bafflingly, this is a government which, in so many instances, has demonstrated good judgement, which has performed well on the world stage, which has made credible and honourable decisions on behalf of all Canadians. Yet it appears to view itself as vulnerable and dreadfully put upon. It is suspicious and withdrawn, where it should be open and approachable.

This government has, in effect, set the stage for commensurate and reciprocal treatment by both the opposition parties in parliament, and the press reporting on government activities. It faces hostility from all those sources because it has turned a hostile face to them. There's no particular reason for this government to feel so insecure, yet it does.

The country needs a more co-operative approach between its governing body and other elected lawmakers. Public debate should be civil and pursued in the best interests of the country. Personal attacks against individuals despoil the process and belittle the attackers. Legitimate criticism of the government should be undertaken in an intelligent and mature manner.

Canadians deserve no less, and much more.