Parliamentarians of the Year, as voted by Parliamentarians

Last night I was a fly on the wall as Maclean's announced the results of its annual Parliamentarians of the Year awards, as voted by their peers. The overall winner was John Baird, which drew a few surprises from those in the room, as well as on the Maclean's site. 

But Baird's speech was gracious and paid testament to his seventh-grade teacher, to whom he attributed his interest in politics, and to his colleagues in all the parties.  Maclean's profile on his is also worth a read.

The other winners included: Gilles Duceppe (BQ) as the most knowledgable; repeat winners Peter Stoffer (NDP) as most colleagial and Bob Rae (LIB) as best orator; Robert Bouchard (BQ) as best constituent representative; Ted Menzies (CPC) as hardest working and Kelly Block (CPC) as rising star.  This is the second year this category went to a woman (Megan Leslie from the NDP won it last year).

I believe this is the fourth year Maclean's has done this.  The categories have changed a bit, but here are links to the 2007 and 2009 results (I couldn't find 2008):

• 2009, when Jason Kenney (CPC) was the overall winner.
• 2007, when Bill Blaikie (and exit interviewee) won.

Interesting to note that across all the categories and all the years, women have only won twice, and both times it was in the best rookie/rising star category. 

Quibbles aside, I really like this series, because it's one of the few positive media pieces about politicians I ever see.  So thanks to Maclean's, and thanks to the MPs for their service.