ROSEMARY GODIN
Jody Wilson-Raybould just did this country a huge favour.
I’m sure the Liberals wish the timing had been better for them. But finally, the vast majority of Canadians who will never be privy to behind-closed-doors caucus and executive council meetings were educated about the ways of politics.
The former attorney general pulled back a few layers of political process and provided everyone with a glimpse of what really counts to veteran politicos. It’s not you or me or our country or the law of the land – it’s about the continual tussle of who gets power and control.
Make no mistake – what Ms. Wilson-Raybould described is not confined to the federal Liberal party. This is the way every political party operates. And finally, it has taken one honourable Indigenous woman to bring the backroom power-dealing to light!
Justin Trudeau actively recruited women as candidates and appointed them to his cabinet. What he neglected to acknowledge is that not every woman will stand for the “old-boy” politics. Gender issues are going to get in the way of the status quo. Get used to it, fellas.
along comes a person who wants to play by the rules of the land. Someone who doesn’t want to sit in private meetings and figure out ways to skirt laws without being caught.
I sincerely believe that the vast majority of people get into politics because they want to serve their community, their province or their country. As more and more women step forward to serve, I expect we will see politics change. I surely hope so.
Studies show that there are stark differences between women and men in leadership roles. Women put problem-solving at the top of their priority list. Women tend to encourage others to participate in the decision-making process.
I say this at the risk of stereotyping. Yet, an article published in the March 2018 online edition of Psychology Today opined that: “Women have been told to ‘lean in,’ but many women have leaned in until they fell over. …When an organization wants the best and the brightest, they are no longer white and male.”
Wilson-Raybould’s background, her intelligence, and her desire to do the right thing over maintaining her privileged position in the governance of our country or being “the good girl” for the PMO’s office, have given her the strength to serve Canadians in an ethical way.
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I’ve had first-hand experience with meeting behind closed doors at party caucus meetings – and it wasn’t pretty! We were told that politics is “just one big hockey game.” Women in the caucus were subjected to lengthy reports written by one of the guys. He was often determining party policy by meeting with highly paid CEOs in a private company booth at a Mooseheads game or during 18 holes of golf.
The entire caucus was told not to repeat any of the campaign promises we had made; it turned out that they were probably impossible to follow through with.
And now, along comes a person who wants to play by the rules of the land. Someone who doesn’t want to sit in private meetings and figure out ways to skirt laws without being caught.
In giving her deposition and answering questions, the former attorney general skipped the highfalutin legalese so often meant to obscure the truth at political committee meetings – especially those held in public settings.
Instead, she spoke her truth to Canadians. And in so doing, educated us about the high road. And she gave us hope that there are other truth-talkers waiting in the wings of those hallowed halls.
“It has always been my view that the attorney general of Canada must be non-partisan, more transparent in the principles that are the basis of decisions, and, in this respect, always willing to speak truth to power,” she said.
“I am, of course, a lawyer …. So I come to this view as a trained professional and committed to certain values as key to our system of order. But my understanding of the rule of law has also been shaped by my experiences as an Indigenous person and leader. ….
“I was taught to always be careful what you say because you cannot take it back. I was taught to always hold true to your core values and principles and act with integrity … I come from a long line of matriarchs and I am a truth teller … this is who I am and who I always will be.”
Good for you, Jody Wilson-Raybould. Tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may. We women are tired of trying to fit into the “boys’ club” – wherever it may be.
Rosemary Godin was an NDP MLA in 1998-99 and ran for the Liberal party as a candidate in 2003. She lives in Sydney, Cape Breton.
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