Cannings holds open house

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

MP Richard Cannings shook hands and chatted with enthusiastic supporters at an open house at his Penticton office, Saturday afternoon.

The MP for the South Okanagan-West Kootenay recently opened the doors at the new office on Main Street, which has housed other MPs before him. 

The open house was just to let people know he and his staff, Andrina Iliffe and Joy Newton, are all moved in, he said.

"We wanted people to know we are here and that people can come and talk to me and meet my staff," he said.

The MP said he has been busy in the months since he took office.

He has been largely focused on helping people with issues they have with the government, in addition to getting his offices up and running in Penticton, Castlegar and Ottawa.

"The big ones are immigration, EI and pensions, things where people really intersect with the government," he said.

On another level he has been working with groups on broader issues, such as bringing Syrian refugee families to the Okanagan and West Kootenays, building seniors' housing and trying to end homelessness in Penticton.

He has also met with all mayors and councillors to talk about infrastructure issues across the riding.

Cannings said spending time in Ottawa has made for a steep learning curve. Committees are also starting up this week, and he will be busy as the NDP member of the natural resources committee that covers mining, forestry and pipeline issues.

"I am just working on ways of making real change  that I myself can bring forward," he said.

People at the open house, think he is doing a good job so far. Summerland resident Janet Lacy even showed up with one of his books, "Birds of Interior BC and the Rockies," for Cannings to sign.

The MP was happy to oblige, signing the book, "Happy Birding Dick Cannings."

The open house for his Castlegar office will be held on March 13.