Dan's final column, for now

Since the federal election has officially started, this will be my final MP report of the 42nd Parliament.

I am running for re-election and I am hopeful to resume my weekly MP reports once the 43rd Parliament is elected.

That is, however, a decision for the people of Central-Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola.

I would like to thank you for reading my weekly reports and responding frequently with your comments, questions and concerns.

Your feedback has been invaluable to me in the work that I do as a member of Parliament.

I would like to share an example of that.

Over this past weekend, at an all candidates forum, I was asked my personal view on the medical assistance in dying legislation that was passed early in the 42nd Parliament. 

My answer was a simple one for me.

From my perspective, being a member of Parliament is not about imposing my own view, but expressing the will of my constituents who I represent.

When the topic of medical assistance in dying came before the House of Commons, I wrote several MP reports on that topic and provided information about the proposed legislation and how it would work.

Although many considered it to be a controversial issue, the feedback I heard locally from a diverse range of citizens was overwhelmingly in support of medical assistance in dying.

People shared many personal and heartfelt stories as to why and also some concerns.  

I voted in support of medical assistance in dying knowing that the most citizens I heard from were also in support of the proposed legislation.

I also heard from those who were opposed in principle or that felt the government’s legislation was too constraining in who could access it and under what terms.

More recently, I have heard concerns from citizens relating to some flaws with how the legislation was drafted and the challenges that has been created for those facing life’s most challenging situations.

As all of us will eventually face these situations, this new legislation is important and I am hopeful to have the opportunity to address these and other challenges when the legislation is reviewed in the 43rd Parliament, if I am re-elected. 

I would like to thank all local citizens for the great honour of being their member of Parliament for the past four years. 

I would also like to thank the various media organizations that  run my weekly reports that help citizens to engage with and hold me accountable.

I have one question as I close this week’s report.

• Will you be voting in the upcoming October federal general election?

For more questions on the upcoming federal election, Elections Canada can be reached at 1-800-463-6868 or by visiting elections.ca.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.