While it’s been two months since Windsor-Tecumseh NDP MP Joe Comartin was acclaimed deputy speaker of the House of Commons, he said he is still adjusting to his new role within parliament.
“I guess I’m still struggling in terms of, since I was 16 years old, I was the president of my student council in Belle River, and even before that, I have always been an advocate for causes. I have to temper that now. It’s not completely gone, but that’s probably the most major adjustment,” said Comartin. “So there’s a loss there at a personal level.
Comartin said the new position requires him to forgo his political views and act as a non-partisan “referee” of sorts, now maintaining a neutral stance within politics, which has proven to be difficult at times.
“I can tell you, there’s times that I’ll be sitting on the chair, and I have to say it comes from both sides of the house, where somebody would be up saying something and in my mind I’d be saying, ‘That’s not right. That is factually not correct. Or ideologically or philosophically, I just don’t agree with that.’ And I want to say something, but of course I can’t,” said Comartin.
“That’s probably been the most difficult part, is making that adjustment.”
Comartin said his ultimate goal is to increase the decorum significantly in the house and bring about more civility.
“I am quite determined – as is the speaker – to speed up the changes that need to be made in the house to have more decorum,” said Comartin. “It’s just damaging to democracy and it’s certainly damaging to the reputation of politicians.”
Howard Parley, former NDP premier of Manitoba (1981-1988) and current political science professor at the University of Windsor, was among a crowd of nearly 200 supporters that gathered at Torino’s in Tecumseh Saturday afternoon to recognize Comartin for being elected deputy speaker.
He said through his experience in politics, he has seen the people of Canada become disillusioned and alienated because of the uncivil practices that take place in the house, which is the reason for declining voting turnouts across the nation. He said he knows firsthand the need for someone like Comartin to come in and push for the changes required for politicians to gain back much needed public support.
“I remember going door to door and people were either for or against you. Now it’s just a shrug of the shoulders, so we have a tremendous job ahead to restore the confidence on the part of the electorate,” said Parley. “We have to restore some reasonableness and some respectability on the part of the interaction amongst MPs. Joe is an excellent one to contribute to that and we need more Joe Comartins elsewhere in order to succeed in what is very much so a challenge.”
Comartin will undoubtedly do a tremendous job as deputy speaker, said Parley, and his colleagues have shared that confidence in him throughout his time in office. He was named three times by his peers as Canada’s most knowledgeable parliamentarian since he was first elected MP in 2000.
Comartin is the first Ontario NDP to be elected deputy speaker and only the second MP from Windsor and Essex County from any party to take on the new role – the first one being Raymond Ducharme Morand, a Conservative representing Essex East, over 70 years.
Brian Masse (NDP – Windsor West) also came out to support Comartin Saturday.
Comartin’s new role is bittersweet because he will be leaving his role as MP for the NDP, said Masse. But he said, “it’s more important that we have a responsible person take the deputy speaker spot,” adding this is a great opportunity for this area to contribute to the history of Canada.
“And it’s important for democracy,” said Masse. “We see the House of Commons right now struggling with the way the debate – and the tone of the debate – is taking place, and Joe’s interested in fixing some of that.”
Local NDP and longtime friend and supporter of Comartin Ray Hachey said Comartin has always been the kind of person you can count on and it makes sense that the other members of parliament selected him as new deputy speaker.
“I think anything Joe puts his mind to, he’ll do the job, and he’ll do a good job, no matter what,” said Hachey.
He said Comartin definitely deserves his new position, but he’s sad to see him leave his role as a local MP.
“The fact of the matter is we know you can’t keep him forever, right? That’s the unfortunate part about it,” said Hachey. “It’s tough losing a good MP, but people have to do what they have to do in their lives. There’s always a time when people have to move on to bigger and better things.”
