Democracy in Action

The public galleries of the House of Commons were crammed with hundreds of summer tourists. They had come to see democracy in action. Speaker Gaspard

Fauteux, in his impressive black robes, with his tricornered hat walked in. He took his impressive seat. There was a slight hush.

The speaker, who has never run the House smoothly, opened the session by ruling out of order a question by Progressive Conservative member Gordon Fraser. Progressive Conservative spokesman Gordon Graydon promptly bounded to his feet in protest. Then the galleries witnessed one of the worst shows that the House has put on in years.

The Speaker: Order!

Graydon: If the Government is going to take the position that you cannot. . . .

Minister St. Laurent: I object to the honorable member's charging the Government with taking a position. The Government has not taken a position on this.

Graydon (pointing): The very fact that you are standing up in the House is an indication that you are taking a position.

St. Laurent (yelling): Don't point at me.

Members (in chorus): Sit down!

Graydon (defiantly): I will not sit down for you or anybody except His Honor [the Speaker].

Fauteux (nervously): Order! I have given the honorable member plenty of latitude.

Progressive Conservative Arza Casselman: . . . until he was railroaded.

Fauteux: That statement is unparliamentary. Order.

Graydon: I wish to appeal. . . Liberals (in chorus): Sit down!

The Speaker (perspiring): There is no appeal.

Fraser: I cannot get satisfaction. . . . Progressive Conservative Thomas Church: We shall soon need a police force in here. . . .

Two members (in chorus): Mr. Speaker. . . .

General hullabaloo of jeering, catcalling, desk-thumping.

When the show was over, the tourists tiptoed out. They seemed faintly awestruck. M.P.'s later blamed it all on the hot weather.

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