OSHAWA

January 25, 2010

 

Dear Constituent:

 

Since the Prime Minister announced his intention to prorogue Parliament and introduce a new Throne Speech and Federal Budget during the first week of March, I have received a number of letters, emails and phone calls from constituents expressing their disappointment over this decision. I appreciate that some constituents may have strong views on this matter. As one of my constituents you have every right to know where I stand on this issue. I would like to take just a few moments to address the most frequently asked questions I have received from Oshawa residents.
 

“Why did the Prime Minister do this?”

The Prime Minister stated that proroguing will allow the government to ‘re-calibrate’ its agenda and properly prepare a new and very important budget for Canadians. Despite the success of the Economic Action Plan, Canada has had to increase its spending and run short-term deficits. The Government is seeking an additional 22 days to consult with Canadians to ensure we stay on track. As you are reading this letter, the Finance Minister and other government officials are crossing the country to gather Canadians’ input.

As a minority Government we are expected to work with other parties in Parliament. I was initially pleased when our government’s ‘tough on crime’ legislation passed unanimously in the House of Commons. We were disheartened when Liberal Senators defied the will of their party and gutted this legislation. In this respect, proroguing Parliament was necessary to establish a new legislative session and enable a rebalancing of several Senate committees. Had Parliament not prorogued, key Senate Committees will continue to hold up the Government’s agenda. Recent history has shown that the Senate is unwilling to enact legislation as passed by the House of Commons – even to the frustration of the opposition parties at times.

Several constituents have commented that because Canadians did not give the Conservatives a majority in the last election, the appointment of new Senators defies the will of the electorate. In fairness, though, Canadians did not elect a Liberal majority or minority government either. In October 2008, Canadians elected a minority Conservative government. Yet, the Liberal senators continue to act as if there is a Liberal majority government. They continue to obstruct Government legislation at nearly every opportunity. We feel this is unacceptable to all Members of the House of Commons who are working together to get things done for all Canadians.

Believe me; we would prefer to have Senators elected to fixed terms. Yet, the stark reality facing our Government is this: In order for the Senate to reflect the Government the people of Canada elected, and to pass legislation, it must be reorganized. In the near term, we must return parity and fairness to the Senate with any future appointments. With the Prime Minister’s upcoming selections, we may finally have the votes in the upper chamber to enact meaningful Senate reform.
 

“Parliament was prorogued because of the Afghan detainee issue.”

Despite the claims of the opposition, proroguing Parliament will not allow the Conservatives to ‘dodge’ questions on the Afghan detainee issue. A new session does not remove the requirement for the tabling of orders or reports in the House of Commons. Similarly, the Government's obligation to respond to committee reports and petitions on this issue continues to stand.
 

“Proroguing Parliament is unusual and undemocratic.”

No; proroguing Parliament is not unusual or undemocratic. Former Liberal Prime Ministers, Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin prorogued Parliament four times. Furthermore, a typical Parliament is composed of several sessions and therefore includes several Throne Speeches. On average there are three or four Throne Speeches per Parliament, although some Parliaments have heard as many as six or seven. Despite the claims of the opposition, the decision to launch a new Throne Speech with the same Parliament is routine, having occurred 104 times in the past.


“You’ve shut down Government. What’s not getting done in Ottawa?”

Government continues to operate for significant periods each year without Parliament sitting – as it does during summer, Christmas, and election periods. When Parliament is not sitting, MPs continue to work in their ridings. Certainly, you will notice some changes:

• The most visible change will be the delay of daily Question Period until early March. You can judge for yourself if this delay will have a serious impact on Canadians’ daily life. Like you, my colleagues and I are often disgusted by level of acrimony, insults and cheap rhetoric hurled around during Question Period, most of it designed to gain headlines or embarrass others.
• A delay of various House Committee meetings, usually two per week.
• Regional and national weekly caucus meetings have been replaced by a national caucus meeting which will take place weekly in Ottawa.
 

“You’re on an extended vacation. You don’t work if you’re not in Ottawa.”

Not true. MPs do schedule vacation time away, usually around Christmas or during summer. When the House is not sitting, MPs are in their constituencies working – even on weekends and holidays. It is what you pay us to do. This is what I do. Here is a sample my activities when not in Ottawa:
 

     1. Meet constituents and local organization – I receive frequent requests from constituents or organizations to asking to visit with me in person. Ironically, when MPs are in Ottawa doing their job, they are often accused of hiding from their constituents. You simply can’t please everyone at all times.
 

     2. Advocacy/project work – Whether I am in Ottawa or Oshawa, I work aggressively to advance Oshawa’s interests in Ottawa. In 2009, our government returned an unprecedented level of your federal tax dollars back to Oshawa riding in the form of new programs and major infrastructure investments. We also created the Southern Ontario Development Program (SODP) which will invest $1 billion over 5 years into Southern Ontario, particularly in economically hard-hit areas like Oshawa and Durham Region. I am currently seeking new proposals which may qualify under this program.

     3. Budget planning – As I write, the Finance Minister is preparing the 2010 Budget. I have requested input from community stakeholders and will prepare Oshawa-specific recommendations for his consideration.
 

     4. Functions – As the MP, you may be surprised at the number of events I am asked to attend in the community. I could receive many as 20-30 invitations per week. While I cannot accept every invitation, I do my best to attend as many events and meet with as many constituents as possible.
 

“This is a dictatorial Prime Minister. MPs can’t speak their mind.”

Since my election in 2004, I have had the opportunity to work with Stephen Harper as Opposition Leader and Prime Minister. I consider him to be a very honourable, talented and insightful individual who makes every effort to balance the rights of the person with the obligations of the state. I have always worked well with Mr. Harper and have never found myself in a position where I was unable to speak my mind or accurately represent our community’s interests and concerns. Mr. Harper is a serious, no-nonsense person with a decisive and clear vision for Canada. In this time of global economic turmoil, with the potential for American protectionism looming, I am thankful that he is our Prime Minister.

If you are not a fan of our Prime Minister, our Government – or even me for that matter – I may be unable to change your perspective. But given that several constituents have asked for my thoughts on Parliament, I am hopeful that this letter provides another perspective on these recent events. With a new Budget just ahead of us, I am confident that Canada will be among the first countries to exit the global recession and be better-positioned to take full advantage of the opportunities in front of us.

I am grateful for your time and consideration. If you would like to speak further, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or by telephone at 905-440-4868.

Yours sincerely,

 

Colin