The Liberals have expressed the need to minimize travel and contact, while the Conservatives believe Parliament is an essential service. They are both right!
Can we not have both? Surely it makes good sense to embrace technology at this time. There are numerous benefits to a virtual parliament: more efficient debates, less lost time for travel, less overall cost, distanced representatives not disadvantaged, and a MP that remains near his constituents, to mention a few.
The arguments against this venture seem weak. Can we protect from a hacker manipulating the vote? How about a simple solution: count the digital vote, count the raised hand vote and if necessary count a texted-in vote. A hacker would have to be very good to manipulate all three. I am sure the tech people can come up with a more elegant solution. As for the necessity for jeering and cheering during debates: Anyone who has attended a session can attest to these theatrics, which in my opinion are childish and detour from constructive debate.
Most of the clubs I am aware of are now having meetings online. Perhaps if our Members of Parliament embrace this idea, they might find it has advantages.
Wayne Richardson
St. Albert
