The Role Of Rethinking Question Period And Debate In The House Of Commons

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Question Period and its debates, once essential features of the House of Commons, have becoming increasingly irrelevant in recent years. In his 2008 article Rethinking Question Period and Debate in the House of Commons, Conservative MP Michael Chong states “Rhetorical thirty five second questions produce rhetorical thirty five second answers. This does not advance the understanding of any particular issue. Question Period is incomprehensible.” This statement accurately captures the current state of Question Period. When Cabinet Ministers have questions posed to them they often deliver scripted responses, essentially talking points, which do not directly respond to the question asked of them. Mr. Chong offers a remedy that would make question