Contacting your MP

The interior of BC now has four new, and two returning, Members of Parliament, one with the incoming government, three with the official opposition, and the two remaining with the third party (as it is frequently referred to within the House of Commons). 

In some situations, the electoral boundaries between these different MPs may be geographically well-defined, but may not be convenient for citizens due to different MP office locations, or how the electoral boundaries commission arbitrarily applied riding borders that may have separated closely linked communities. 

Such situations often create a challenge for citizens to decide which MP they should contact for assistance in the event the MP, who is closest and most convenient, is representing a different electoral region.

Wherever possible citizens should contact the MP who represents the electoral region they reside in, since MPs have unique legislated rights and protections under various acts of Parliament to represent citizens specifically located within their electoral region. 

In addition, MPs are provided with generous resources to assist citizens, even those in remote areas of a riding. On the same theme, citizens also have a right to contact MPs from other electoral regions for assistance that may or may not be provided, depending upon the circumstances and the discretion of the MP in question. 

From my own experience, it is common for MPs from other parties and/or regions to refer citizens to their own MP, as this respects the intent of Canada’s single-member, simple-plurality voting system.

From my perspective as the MP for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, my office will continue to assist citizens to the best of our ability, and will look forward to working with other MPs in our region, regardless of party affiliation. 

Ultimately, assisting citizens remains my top priority, and I expect our newly elected MPs will share this sentiment, as they work towards opening up new constituency offices as soon as is reasonably possible.

Unfortunately, there is little news to share from Ottawa at the moment, as the transition period will be under way for many weeks. It is still unclear when the House of Commons will be recalled by the new Government, once in place.

Next week will likely be more active, as it is expected that a new cabinet will be announced, and potentially a date will also be revealed on when the House of Commons will resume. Normally in a non-election year the House would sit for five weeks at this point, with another five weeks’ schedule prior to the end of the year.

On a closing note I would like to thank the many citizens who have taken the time to share thoughts and comments with me over the past ten days.

The volume of feedback has been significant, and is greatly appreciated. I welcome your input, and can be reached via email at [email protected] or toll free at 1.800.665.8711

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