“Snakes and Ladders” and the Obedience of One MP

Life—most of us know— has its ups and downs. Some writers have characterized it as “Three Steps Forward and Two Steps Back”. Whether it’s health, finances, career or relationships, few of us have enjoyed an uninterrupted rise to the top, a steady increase in wealth and popularity or an education with no challenging exams or setbacks. 

In politics, history is riddled with stunning examples of powerful personalities who have struggled with disappointments and repeated failures in the wilderness years before their historic moment in the spotlight on the world stage. Abraham Lincoln was defeated in many elections before winning the one that sealed his name in history and put him in the centre of a divided nation. Winston Churchill lurched through an extended period of agonizing obscurity before being called on by his nation and by God to defend Western civilization from the Nazi scourge that nearly overwhelmed it in WWII.

Reading the biographies of these and dozens of other notable figures down through the centuries, it’s interesting to note the sequences of events and the timing of pivotal incidents that either launched them to dizzying heights of fame and significance or which sometimes sent them careening to the earth in a tailspin, in a sudden and unforeseen end of a promising career. Such is the story of mankind. 

Nations rise and fall; men and women—like those recorded in the Bible—come on the stage, play out their roles and return to the earth. Some are remembered with gratitude. Some are remembered with horror. Most are remembered for but a short time, except by their families and friends. Circumstances, personalities and timing all intersect under the sovereign Hand of God. History as a whole (including our bit-parts in it) unfolds before us all with the interactions of our varied lives across the backdrop of Time, marked in many ways by acts of obedience and disobedience, of faith and unbelief.

What does all this have to do with “Snakes and Ladders”? And what does a game of chance have to do with the deliberate and courageous actions of one MP? The MP referred to is, of course, Mark Warawa , MP for Langley, relatively unknown until recently. And the analogy of “Snakes and Ladders” brings to mind the corporate ladder, the social-political ladder that so many politicians have climbed, rung after rung, desperately seeking the pinnacle of power, or at least a place close to the top. In the board game by that name, landing on a ladder takes you up in a hurry; but landing on a snake takes you back down to a lower station and you have to start all over again.

Last week, Mr. Warawa stepped on a snake; at least it appeared that he did. Last Fall, he tabled Motion-408, calling on the House to condemn sex-selective abortion, otherwise known as “gendercide”. Last Thursday, March 21, he got the surprise of his life when the Subcommittee on Private Members’ Business ruled—contrary to fact and reason—that his motion was “non-votable”, effectively blocking it from debate in the House. A member with less courage and determination might have accepted this setback and quietly said to himself, “At least I tried”. But not Mr. Warawa. Mr. Warawa looked at the ruling, examined the facts and determined that he had been unfairly silenced and that his motion should have been deemed votable. Mr. Warawa declared his intention to seek a remedy through appealing the decision to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Then he got yet another surprise.

He planned to speak about the issue during the 1 minute allotted to him to deliver an S.O. 31, a privilege all members have. However, his slot was cancelled 15 minutes before his speech was to be given because of the “topic”. Mr. Warawa once again rose to the occasion. Without waiting for a ladder or a blessing from the PM, Mr. Warawa and several colleagues went toe-to-toe with the Party Whip, asking the Speaker to rule in favour of free speech for elected MPs.

The situation continues to unfold, with closed caucus sessions, committee meetings in camera and various opinions being offered by members of other parties seated in the House, none of whom want to debate sex-selective abortion, yet concerned about the loss of freedom of speech. A confluence of events, personalities and circumstances have created a special moment in Canadian political history and the obedience of one brave MP has made Canadians aware of the “democracy deficit” in Ottawa and more aware of the issue of gendercide.

Mr. Warawa did not do any of this to draw attention to himself. Nobody enjoys being muzzled, isolated and rejected. Mr. Warawa took a stand on principles and he refused to budge, regardless of personal cost. In doing so, he was given a ladder right to the top. His obedience and determination have earned him a place in history. Leader of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada, Mr. Jim Hnatiuk, has offered a salute to the Hon. Mark Warawa, with gratitude for the courage of his convictions. Mr. Hnatiuk assured future CHP MPs that they will never experience the type of muzzling in the CHP that Mr. Warawa has gone through but will always have the freedom to represent their constituents and to express their conscience-guided concerns.

After all, political integrity is not a game of chance but the result of faithful obedience to principles. May we see much more of that in Ottawa than we have in the past. Perhaps Mr. Warawa has set an example many other MPs will want to follow. Let us hope so. Our nation hangs in the balance.