Albertans are notoriously apathetic about politics, but the debate on the government's ridiculous Bill 44 has been lively and encouraging. Even high school students banded together to express their opposition to the bill, which passed earlier this week. Bill 44 discussion also thrived on Twitter. There was plenty of healthy dissent.

Too bad the Conservatives don't see it that way. In the legislature June 1, Edmonton Tory MLA Thomas Lukaszuk not-so-subtly suggested all this public discussion was worthless. Here's what he said after he saw NDP leader Brian Mason updating his Facebook page throughout the debate:

This debate has devolved, not evolved but devolved, into a bit of a mockery.... This entire debate right now is being narrated by various members in this Chamber on Facebook, on their computers, just showing how this debate is really not about the subject matter but how it is about showing what big heroes we are to our supporters.... 

It has nothing to do, Mr. Speaker, with the debate, and I know that they want to now stop – there’s an amendment on the floor to stop this bill from passage. This debate has nothing to do with what’s in the bill anymore.  It has to do with getting the crowds out there riled up, and it’s just about spin and PR right now because, frankly, this bill does nothing.  It does nothing for either side....

In fact, the debate focused very much on what's in the bill and what it could mean in the future. Lukaszuk's comments provoked the wrath of several Twitter users. (He amused others by saying the long-awaited bill "does nothing.") Here's a sampling of Twitter responses:

DonBraid: Lukaszuk devolved long before Twitter. #ABLeg #Bill44

britl: @Paulitics Social Media brings the constituents to the #ableg. It's important to get them involved. Shouldn't we discourage apathy? #bill44.

bingofuel: @Paulatics Maybe Lukaszuk doesn't like being scrutinized by constituents so closely? #ABleg #Bill44

amanda_krumins: Lukasik: 'frankly, this bill does nothing.' Wow. great reason not to vote for it!! #Bill44

It's also worth noting that opposition MLAs aren't the only ones using Twitter and Facebook while the legislature is in session. A number of Tory MLAs do the same.

Look at Calgary-North Hill MLA Kyle Fawcett. He regularly uses Twitter to mangle the English language. My favourite example occurred during the all-night Bill 44 debate May 26 after Dave Breakenridge, a Calgary Sun columnist and editor, called Bill 44 "bad legislation."

Fawcett replied: "it would seem to me you are editorizing quite a bit."

Anyway. The point is that the debate around Bill 44 was, for the most part, a healthy one, and Albertans who joined the discussion deserve respect, not contempt, from MLAs.