Who is muzzling Conservative MPs — the Speaker or Pierre Poilievre?

The battle over free speech in Canadian politics has intensified in recent weeks, with Conservative MPs pointing fingers at both the Speaker of the House of Commons and their own leader, Pierre Poilievre. The Conservative Party has accused Speaker Greg Fergus of silencing their MPs, while reports have emerged of tight control and scrutiny exerted by Poilievre and his office over what Conservative MPs say and do.

The conflict came to a head when three Conservative MPs were ejected from the House of Commons for allegedly using unparliamentary language. The Conservatives claim they were simply speaking the truth, while the Speaker maintains that their offense was in refusing to withdraw their remarks. This incident has reignited the debate over who poses a greater threat to the free speech of Conservative MPs – the Speaker or the Conservative Party leader.

The trend of ejections from the House of Commons has been on the rise in recent years, with seven of the last eight MPs to be ejected being Conservatives. While some may see this as evidence of liberal censorship, others argue that it reflects a growing willingness among Conservative MPs to challenge the rules and defy the Speaker. Former Speaker Peter Milliken believed that ejection was not an effective punishment, and recent examples show that MPs can wear their expulsion as a badge of honor.

The issue of party discipline and centralization in Canadian politics has become increasingly important, with parties focusing on minimizing inconsistencies and sticking to a single message. The Conservative Party, in particular, has placed a high value on discipline ever since the \”bozo eruptions\” of the 2004 election. However, the tension between Poilievre’s professed belief in freedom and liberty and his emphasis on controlling what his caucus says and does has raised questions about the party’s commitment to these values.

In theory, looser party discipline could lead to a stronger, healthier democracy and a more representative Parliament. It would also align with Poilievre’s platform of empowering the public and limiting government control. However, it remains to be seen whether a Prime Minister Poilievre would prioritize transparency, accountability, and reform of government programs like access to information, or if he would prioritize control over his MPs.

The clash between the Speaker and the Conservative Party leader highlights broader questions about leadership, accountability, and freedom of speech in Canadian politics. As the debate continues to unfold, it is clear that the issue of free speech will remain a central point of contention in the ongoing battle for power and influence in Ottawa.