HUMOUR HUNT
By Terry Fallis
Blustering on air
I
n direct competition with the most popular afternoon soaps, it debuted in October 1977 to modest reviews and small audiences. Yet somehow, nearly 40 years later, “Question Period,” live from the House of Commons, is still on the air. The cast has changed completely over the years, but the rhetorical battles over many of the same issues continue. Having watched the parliamentary proceedings through most of their impressive run on our airwaves, sometimes professionally while working on Parliament Hill, other times recreationally (yes, I know, it is a little sad), I consider myself something of an expert on the daily spectacle.
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There have been moments of high drama—I just can’t think of any right now—sprinkled in among hours of stultifyingly boring debate that could instantly anesthetize rabid fans of a show such as “This week in paint drying.” Too harsh? Perhaps. Actually, I am a fan of cameras in the House of Commons. It lets the light into the seat of our government and renders the parliamentary machinations of our democracy open and transparent. Perhaps a tad too transparent. Some might argue that politics and legislation are a little like hotdogs. We don’t really need to know exactly how they’re made. Yet broadcasting parliament invites average citizens to become more engaged in the electoral process and more informed on the
Illustration by Malcolm Jones
2017-05-26 11:18 AM
