Let’s hold our local MPs’ feet to the fire
As politicians across party lines lick their wounds and contemplate what might have been in the wake of an unsettling federal election, there were no surprises in Ottawa, which voted overwhelmingly for the Liberals.
Across the land, the election has raised serious questions and concerns about the calibre of our leaders, the toxic nature of political dialogue and, indeed, the future of a divided nation, all important issues for a national conversation.
But here in Ottawa, there is only one question that matters: What do we get for handing Liberals 11 of the dozen seats in or near the capital, just as we did five years ago, and have done for decades? What do we tangibly get for this unflinching loyalty?
During elections, party leaders hardly show up to campaign here, knowing that we will vote Liberal. How do we stop being taken for granted?
There is nothing against Ottawa voting Liberal. Some regions vote Conservative, others NDP. It is part of our democratic choice. But our vote has to mean something.
We should not be electing MPs who disappear into thin air only to emerge during an election. If ever there was a time to hold our MPs’ feet to the fire, this is it. We now have a Liberal minority government and there is never a better time to press MPs to be accountable, especially when the likelihood of another election in about two years is real.
The reason we hardly see our MPs taking up the capital’s causes is that there really is no strong regional caucus that speaks with one powerful voice for us. There used to be once, but no more. As a first order of business, our Liberal MPs should establish a formal caucus that holds regular meetings and discussions on important local issues.
These issues should be clearly defined by mayor and council in order of priority and taken up by the caucus. To ensure accountability, there should be regular reports and briefings with the mayor or full council to keep citizens abreast of what is happening. Governments respond to pressure, and advocacy by the combined voices of our MPs could have an effect. We have local MPs such as Catherine McKenna, David McGuinty and Steve McKinnon, a former party president, who have considerable weight and should use it on our behalf.
Talking about priorities, there should be nothing bigger than Stage 3 LRT. If climate change is an existential problem and Trudeau has a mandate to deliver on it, there should be no argument over funding LRT 3. Commuter rail is the quintessential climate-change beater in big cities, and that’s also why our politicians should rethink the use of Prince of Wales bridge.
We don’t need to waste
$10 million to repair it for cycling and walking. We need the bridge to link Ottawa by rail to Gatineau, and it is surprising that McKenna, of all people, is not beating this drum. Think of what a difference Stage 3 LRT and a Gatineau link will make in the fight against climate change. Gatineau is considering commuter rail on the Portage Bridge, but what Ottawa mayor will countenance tearing up downtown for a link to Lyon or Parliament stations when Prince of Wales can be refurbished and Bayview expanded to do the job?
The National Capital Commission is very important to Ottawa and ministerial responsibility should be handed back to a local politician who understands what’s at stake. Someone like McGuinty, whether or not he is in cabinet, has the drive to do a great job. If McKenna retains the environment portfolio to ensure continuity, she may not have time to double up as NCC minister. McGuinty, of course, chairs the important National Security and Intelligence Committee, but there is no reason why that should be disqualifying from local responsibilities. He won’t be discussing national security with the NCC.
The bottom line is that in probably two years our MPs will be back asking for our support. We should have a yardstick to measure if they’ve earned it.