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In roughly two week’s time the House of Commons will resume sitting, and Canada’s 42nd Parliament will get down to work.
At this point, the legislative agenda remains largely unknown.
In addition to Government bills, the Private Member’s Lottery has now been held, which determines the order eligible MPs will see debate of their respective Private Member’s Bill or Motion in the House of Commons.
The majority of Parliamentary Standing Committees that review bills after they have reached second reading in the House of Commons have yet to be announced.
In summary, the next few weeks will remain active in Ottawa in preparation for Monday, January 25, which will be the first sitting day of 2016.
Some of the issues that are expected to feature prominently in Ottawa over this new Parliament include:
- The Liberal Government budget
- Responding to the Supreme Court ruling on physician assisted suicide
- Change to Canada’s current electoral system
- A new process for appointing Canadian Senators
- Changes to Canada’s current aerial campaign with our allies against the terror group ISIS
- Continued updates on efforts to resettle Syrian refugees
Amid these challenges, my priority has been to raise the need to engage with the United States Government on prioritizing a new Softwood Lumber Agreement. Given the importance of the BC lumber industry to many regions of our Province, including Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, this will be a matter of vital importance.
Aside from these issues, it is important to work with local communities in identifying infrastructure priorities to keep any important projects moving forward.
I am excited at the opportunity to represent the citizens of Central Okanagan- Similkameen-Nicola on these important issues. I invite citizens to share comments, concerns and questions with me. Over the past four years, I have found that input from citizens is of vital importance in helping to shape the direction of Government.
As one example, after my MP report on assisted suicide, the amount of response I received was both heartfelt and overwhelming. While many concerns were expressed, the majority of those I heard were generally supportive of physician assisted suicide, specifically, that no person be in a situation where they consider physician suicide out of a sense of guilt for being a burden caregivers. It is also clear that we must aggressively continue expansion of palliative care options.
As it is expected that the Liberal Government will, at some point, table legislation in response to the Supreme Court ruling, I will continue to provide updates and solicit feedback from constituents.
While I have provided only a few examples of the many subjects expected to come before the 42nd Parliament, I am enthusiastic about the importance of this work.
As has always been my commitment to citizens, I will continue to provide weekly reports on what is occurring in Ottawa, and welcome your comments, concerns and questions. Citizens deserve to be heard. On that note I would like to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2016. I can be reached at [email protected] or toll-free 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.
