Parliament's First Week Back
Upcoming Meet and Greet, Conservatives challenge government on MP vaccine mandate and continued concealment of Winnipeg Lab documents, thoughts on the Throne Speech, and more
Auburn Bay Parade of Lights
As Christmas approaches, I welcome all constituents to take part in the Auburn Bay Parade Lights this Saturday from 5pm-7pm. I will be at Auburn House, 200 Auburn Bay Blvd SE, passing out hot chocolate and will be happy to take questions and listen to your concerns during this time. For those who cannot make it, I will also be attending the Mahogany Parade of Lights on December 4th. Further details will follow in the next newsletter.
If you are interested in learning more about how the parade will proceed, find out more at the link below.
Conservatives challenge the government on vaccine mandate and the Winnipeg Labs fiasco
On the second day of the 44th Parliament, Conservatives raised questions of privilege challenging the improper conduct of the Board of Internal Economy in deciding its mandatory vaccination policy imposed on MPs. Conservatives also challenged the federal government’s defiance of Parliament in failing to turn over unredacted documents related to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.
Questions of privileges are when MPs raise issues directly with the Speaker when their rights as parliamentarians are threatened or undermined. We use those rights to obtain documents, talk to whistleblowers, detect wrongdoing and do the overall job of holding a government accountable. It is the nitty-gritty stuff that usually does not make the news.
Parliament is the cornerstone of our democracy. The Board of Internal Economy is composed of a small group of MPs chosen from all parties, with half being from the governing party. This board takes care of operational decisions, building management, human resources, payroll, and other duties affecting the Parliamentary precinct. A small group of Parliamentarians cannot make binding health decisions that stop MPs from entering the House of Commons, where debates and votes are held. A vaccine mandate by this Board potentially limits the ability of some MPs to access the Chamber and represent their constituents’ interests. The Liberal House Leader Mark Holland has already given away his partisan game by calling into question medical exemptions received by some MPs. The House Leader was one of the voting MPs on the Board and set the original rules that all MPs have now complied with and abided by. He has now pushed the issue further because he has magically assumed the role of a doctor, a “spin doctor”, by making up facts and rules and questioning the independent work of parliamentary precinct staff and independent doctors outside of Parliament.
The Winnipeg laboratory documents the federal government has continued to refuse to disclose is another troubling cover-up. All opposition parties and one Liberal MP voted in the last Parliament to release these documents. Ignoring this, the federal government decided to put forth legal challenges on the issue of releasing unredacted documents to the parliamentary law clerk to hand to MPs after careful review. The Speaker at the time, Anthony Rota, was even taken to Court by the government so that the documents would not be disclosed. The continued obfuscation and obstruction of Parliament is the legacy of this Liberal government.
In these matters, Parliament is supreme. MPs are elected to keep the Government of Canada accountable to its citizens, and not the other way around. Conservatives have now made the best arguments we could to the Speaker and will abide by his decisions when he renders them or by a majority vote of Parliament, if both matters come to that again.
This is how seeking accountability works.
Throne Speech: my thoughts
Yesterday’s throne speech is simply more of the same from the Liberal government. Full of vague promises, the Prime Minister’s political priorities do nothing for Albertans worried about the cost-of-living crisis instituted by his government’s reckless spending, supply chain constraints, and stagnant wages for everyday workers. It’s clear that families in Alberta are not a priority for the government as the province was not even included in his economic plan. Canada’s Conservatives are the voice of Albertan small business owners, of energy, of farming families, of parents and seniors. And we will be the voice for the millions of Canadians left behind in the federal Liberals’ economy.
International tennis star Peng Shuai goes missing
I joined many lawmakers and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in expressing my concern for the safety and wellbeing of tennis player Peng Shuai, who disappeared following her sexual assault allegation against the former vice-premier of China. Canada must undertake a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Olympic Games in solidarity with those living under the tyranny of the government in Beijing. A diplomatic boycott would mean political leaders in Canada would refuse to attend the games in Beijing.
Flooding in British Columbia
In recent weeks, severe rainfall in British Columbia has caused catastrophic damage in many parts of the province, flooding entire communities and leaving thousands displaced from their homes. My thoughts go out to the families and communities facing the horrific floods and I applaud the efforts of first responders, civic workers and citizens that have helped save lives and protect property. Many of my Conservative colleagues represent ridings in affected areas and have been advocating tirelessly on their behalf, urging the government to hold an emergency debate on the situation in B.C. Parliamentary collaboration is critical to help the province rebuild, and British Columbians deserve to see that we stand resolutely with them during this difficult time.
Some initial, trusted organizations accepting donations are listed below. Please remember to perform your due diligence and verify the legitimacy of any organization or online donation page before donating.
The Red Cross has also set up a donation portal here: www.redcross.ca
Abbotsford’s Archway Community Services is a local organization also accepting donations: www.archway.ca