Listening
May 14, 2013 / 5:00 am
This week the focus across Canada will be on British Columbia as the Provincial general election will have occurred by the time you read my weekly report. At the time of my writing, the election outcome is unknown, however one thing I can guarantee is that there will be no shortage of pundits,...
Taking over the CBC?
May 7, 2013 / 5:00 am
Each week I look forward to hearing from dozens, sometimes even hundreds, of different citizens on issues and concerns of importance to them. Although common issues may often parallel events in the media, others may be unique or related to an unreported matter that many citizens share a common...
MP mail outs explained
Apr 30, 2013 / 5:00 am
Over this past weekend a local newspaper ran an editorial that ultimately questioned the use of tax dollars for partisan purposes, more specifically for “ten-percenters” allegedly being used for partisan political “attacks”. Ultimately the editorial succeeded in...
Legislation seeks a balance
Apr 23, 2013 / 7:00 am
In light of recent events, this week our Government has moved up 3rd reading debate on Bill S-7: Combating Terrorism Act. Although the Liberals have indicated they will be supporting this act, the NDP made the disappointing accusation that the move to bring this act into law in an expedient...
Reflections on recent events
Apr 16, 2013 / 6:00 am
The House of Commons resumed session this week and what began on a feisty note with the anointment of a new leader for the Liberal Party of Canada has very quickly become a reflective one, given Monday's events in the United States. In times of immense tragedy, words often fall short to...
Temporary foreign workers program
Apr 9, 2013 / 5:00 am
Hearing the concerns of citizens is, in my view, one of the most important responsibilities of public office. Why I make a point of personally returning phone calls and attending a great many meetings is that, as taxpayers, you deserve to be heard by those you elect to represent you. There may...
Member's Statements
Apr 2, 2013 / 5:00 am
Last week was a somewhat unusual one in Ottawa as much of the focus was on SO-31's, otherwise known as "Member's Statements" and the ability of Members of Parliament to engage in these 60 second statements delivered in the House of Commons directly before question period....
Economic Action Plan 2013
Mar 26, 2013 / 5:00 am
If there is one thing I have learned in public office, both during my time at City Hall and now as a Member of Parliament, it’s that you will hear from critics and those who disagree with Government policies and direction far more frequently than from those who are supportive. However when...
What is a citizen's arrest?
Mar 19, 2013 / 8:00 am
One of the trends I have observed with a number of bills and private members bills in Ottawa is that many propose to limit, penalize or otherwise restrict, actions which occur in our day to day to lives. Very few bills enhance the rights of citizens however, on March 11th, Bill C-26 came into...
Wireless services in Canada
Mar 12, 2013 / 6:00 am
Recently it was widely reported in the media that Canadians currently face some of the highest wireless cellular rates in the world. Wireless communications is increasingly becoming part of our daily lives– it is how so families keep in contact and also how many in the small business...
Imitation not sincere form of flattery
Mar 5, 2013 / 6:00 am
Last fall I had an opportunity to tour one of the South Okanagan’s largest private sector specialty manufacturing plants. In summary, I was extremely impressed not just at the size and scope of the operation and the many important well paying jobs that it provides, but also by the many...
Supreme Court and the Senate
Feb 19, 2013 / 5:00 am
One topic that has been very actively discussed recently both on Parliament Hill and in Okanagan-Coquihalla is the Canadian Senate. There are generally three main perspectives that I hear from local citizens and from other Members of Parliament in Ottawa that include reforming the Senate,...
Public safety & victims come first
Feb 12, 2013 / 5:00 am
As a first time Member of Parliament I greatly value the advice and wisdom that is often shared with me by more senior and veteran elected officials from all levels of government. In particular, a recent MLA report from Speaker of the House Bill Barisoff really hit home for me. In his December...
The Clarity Act & farewell to the penny
Feb 5, 2013 / 5:00 am
The Clarity Act is not one that is referenced very often in the cafes and coffee shops that I visit on a regular basis throughout Okanagan-Coquihalla. However, it is a topic that has been very prominently part of the discussion on Parliament Hill this past week. For those of you unfamiliar...
Issues and debate
Jan 29, 2013 / 5:00 am
As you may have heard, this week the House of Commons will resume sitting on Parliament Hill for what is expected to be another robust session of debate and discussion. Some of the already identified items on the projected order of business for this week include Government Bills C-48 and C-52....
Taking action on Red Tape
Jan 22, 2013 / 5:00 am
This week will be the second term inauguration of President Obama. As much as there is often talk on the importance of diversifying Canada’s international network of trading partners and related markets, we should not overlook the importance of Canada’s strong economic relationship...
First Nations diversity
Jan 15, 2013 / 5:00 am
This week I have had a large number of requests for comment regarding the ongoing challenges of the Attawapiskat First Nation, and related events that have occurred recently in Ottawa. To be clear, it is relatively easy to criticize the financial management practices at Attawapiskat. At a time...
Talking taxes
Jan 8, 2013 / 5:00 am
January of each year is the opening of “income tax” season– the period of time up until April 30th of 2013 when 2012 income taxes must be filed with the Canada Revenue Agency. Recently I had a constituent request federal income tax rates from the year 2000 in order to compare...
2012: A busy year for Federal Gov't
Jan 2, 2013 / 5:00 am
As 2012 comes to a close I would like to highlight some of the political milestones that occurred during the past year. While some of these events may not have received much media attention, they are in my view important to take note of and are presented in no particular order. The House of...
Replacing our aging fleet
Dec 18, 2012 / 5:00 am
I have always been a strong believer in the principle of accountability. It is why I make every effort to ensure that my MP expenses are amongst the lowest in Western Canada, why I spoke out in favor of changes to the MP pension plan that were more respectful to taxpayers, and is why I do not...
The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet presents its columns "as is" and does not warrant the contents.
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