Smith plans to open constituency office on Aug. 1
MPP’s swearing-in ceremony July 16 at Queen’s Park
Peterborough-Kawartha MPPelect Dave Smith says he’ll be sworn in on July 16 — only Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet were sworn in at Friday’s ceremony at Queen’s Park.
In an interview Tuesday, Smith also said he’ll have a constituency office open in Peterborough by Aug. 1 at a location that he didn’t disclose because he hadn’t yet signed a lease.
He didn’t have a government email or phone number yet, as of Tuesday. But constituents may still get in touch with him, he said, using the contact section of his campaign website
(http://www.davesmithptbo.com ).
“We’re still in the transition period,” he said. “As soon as I can give you more information, I will.”
Smith, a Progressive Conservative, was elected to represent Peterborough-Kawartha at Queen’s Park in the June 6 provincial election.
He knocked off four-term Liberal Jeff Leal, who had been agriculture, food and rural affairs minister and MPP for the riding since 2003.
Smith said swearing-in ceremonies for MPPs take place the entire week of July 16.
He said his first staff member will start work soon after he’s sworn in.
On Tuesday Smith said he’d selected a location for his Peterborough constituency office and the signing of the lease was imminent.
But Smith said he won’t be taking over Leal’s former office on King St., at the ground level of one of the Citi Centre apartment buildings.
Accessibility requirements have increased since Leal took office 15 years ago, Smith said, so Leal’s former office is no longer suitable (it lacks accessible washrooms, for example).
Meanwhile Smith is planning to have constituency offices open in Peterborough County on a rotating basis, with staff available to assist rural residents.
Status of Women Minister Maryam Monsef, the Liberal MP for Peterborough-Kawartha, does this: she has an office open one day a month in locations such as Warsaw, Lakefield, Apsley and Havelock.
Smith said he plans to co-ordinate with her so provincial constituency services can be available in those areas too on another day of the month.