(Quebec) Everyone has an opinion on question period, the political event most followed by Quebecers, often criticized for the partisanship that colors the discussions. But what do secondary school students, who learn the basics of debate at school, think?
Ariane Lussier-Frédérick and Anthony Daigle, 17 years old, as well as Henri Lacoste, 15 years old, agree to attend the question period and humbly share their observations. The three students study at La Camaradière public secondary school, in the Duberger – Les Saules district, in Quebec. On this sweet Thursday morning of March 14, they set foot in parliament for the first time, and they are feverish.
Ariane is finishing high school this year and hopes to be admitted to a language program at CEGEP.
It’s impressive and a little stressful. There are people everywhere, with journalists and cameras. Everyone really listens to what’s going on. It’s an imposing atmosphere.
Ariane
Anthony, who is preparing to take the next steps to be accepted into police technology, admits to feeling a little nervous. “I’m not even the one who’s going to argue and I’m feeling stressed!” “, he said, laughing.
Crossing the interior courtyard leading to the Parliament Building, they chanced upon the President of the National Assembly, CAQ MP Nathalie Roy, who greeted them warmly. Pleasantly surprised to see them interested in politics, she nevertheless admits, mea culpa, that question period sometimes takes on the air of “chance.” This is precisely what they come to evaluate.
The weight of decorum
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
Anthony Daigle, Ariane Lussier-Frédérick and Henri Lacoste
Inside the more than a century-old heritage building, students climb the old wooden stairs, cross the corridors decorated with official portraits and enter the Blue Room, where they sit with a bird’s eye view of the elected officials. , who are preparing for question period.
Henri, the most seasoned of the three in politics, president of his school year and future president (he hopes) of his school next year, is struck by the decorum and respect for traditions that permeate the place.
Everything is really straight, classified. It turns out that there are really a lot of traditions. The protocol is rigid. You can even feel it from the balcony. THE [pages] always greet the president, even when they are just serving glasses of water!
Henry
“It’s not every day you see a setting like this. In the Blue Room, there are lots of people, but you feel really small,” adds Anthony.
What is a good debater?
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
Anthony Daigle, Ariane Lussier-Frédérick and Henri Lacoste
Before the discussions begin, they are asked what they think makes a good debater, as they will witness for the first time a democratic oratory contest which will, they hope, be of a high level.
“A good debater is someone who listens, and a good debate answers a question. Otherwise, we just yell at each other, but we can’t find a solution,” says Henri.
“If they don’t listen to each other, they repeat the same things and it doesn’t move forward,” warns Ariane.
In a debate, you have to respect your opponent and want to really move things forward, rather than blocking your idea.
Anthony
A noise rang out in the room. ” Madame President. » Silence falls, like when the curtain opens in the theater. It begins.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
The three students observe the start of the question period.