Our Langley MP Mark Warawa doesn’t have a reputation as a gunslinger. Just the opposite, he is a soft-spoken, get things done kind of guy. So when I saw him on TV last week, standing tall and speaking loud in the House of Commons, I stopped and listened. So did many other Canadians.
In Canadian politics, if someone from the back benches challenges the prime minister, it is much like the teenage boy who argues with Dad when he is told he can’t have the car. You are not going to get the car today and maybe not for a while if you argue too much.
Each MP gets to present a private member’s bill to the House once every 18 months or so. Our MP had done a lot of homework and was going to address the horrific practice of performing ultrasounds specifically for determining gender, and move to get that practice prohibited. He recently spoke in Langley about his bill and his passion and determination were evident.
So when the powers that be chose to quash it before it got to the floor, he protested. He knew it was just not his voice that was being silenced, but the voices of his constituents were not going to be heard either. Regardless of your politics, you have to respect that.
It takes a leader to speak out when he knows he is right, regardless of what the consequences may be. He may be sitting on the back benches for a while, but he’ll be sitting tall. At least that’s what McGregor says.
Leadership
Leadership happens when someone stands up
Then speaks out loud to be heard;
Leaders are those that start taking action
To back up their outspoken words.
Leadership means not giving up causes
Even though you have failed once or twice;
Leaders are those that soon are successful
By following their own sound advice.
Leadership brings you a burden of duty
It’s not a job where the meek last for long;
But leaders who gather the weak to join hands
Will eventually be leading the strong.
Leadership is simply gathering the trusted
Then listening quiet to what they have to say;
Leaders then, with honest power behind them,
Swing the balance of power their way.
Leadership these days is scarce, people say
Our new leaders are long overdue;
I wonder where these new leaders will come from,
I wonder, is one of them you!?