The Return of Shane (Shame) Mackenzie

By Tex McMurphy
January 8, 2014
As announced by the Governor General himself, the Rt. Hon. Thomas Simpson, Model Parliament 14 saw the addition of a member due to a by-election in Kitchener-Waterloo. The Rt. Hon. Shane Mackenzie has once again come to sit in Ottawa, but as an independent this time around. This event has proved most unfortunate for the SWAG party as they now sit one seat below majority threshold. Two stories are emerging as a consequence: the first is the irrational anger which has crept-up within the SWAG caucus, the second being the political future of “Shame Mackenzie” as he is affectionately known.
Let us begin with SWAG. Under the leadership of Erik Koskela, affectionately known as the Fin, we have witnessed very little. In fact the party has been so quiet it took Mr. Mackenzie’s surprise win to finally get their members riled up. Their anger has been best demonstrated by the personnage of Yanéric Bisaillon, a junior member of this year’s government. He has been vocal about the fact that deadlines were in place and that The Rt. Hon. Shane Mackenzie has no place in this year’s sitting of Model Parliament 14 as he missed the general election which happened earlier this fall. The Governor General has been clear, the by-election stands and seeing as he represents the Queen, he will do as he sees fit whether or not it pleases the member for Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot.
It is on this point that I would like to point out to the SWAG caucus, who are you to limit democracy, why should the constituents of KW, as it is affectionately known, not be represented in the nation’s capital? On a second point, Mr. Mackenzie is a veteran political player with a vast knowledge of Canada. He has certainly had a rough political career fraught with embarrassing moments and interesting decisions but there is no question that he brings something indescribable to the table. It is because of this that I applaud Governor General Simpson’s decision.
On my second point, concerning Mr. Mackenzie’s return, rumors of the IPP linger and it is a well known fact that the former Prime Minister hold his former party close to heart. Will he attempt to revive it? This would be fascinating as we would see which members would gravitate towards their former Prime Minister. The most pressing question is which new gaffe would he commit, ever contributing to his infamous character. Most likely however, we will be watching him sit in the peanut gallery yelling obscenities best associated with members such as Alexis Goudreau, the Rt. Hon Alexander Mullaly, or the ever comical Hon. Simon Gollish.
As we get closer to Parliaments next session, all questions will be answered and all parties will accept the by-elections. But until then, let the banter and the speculations run rampant.