Motz heading to Ottawa
New MP won’t be made official for another week or so, has plenty to do to be ready to serve
It is off to Ottawa this weekend for Glen Motz, who won Monday’s federal byelection in this riding, but it may be another week or so before he is officially sworn in as an MP.
The swearing-in takes place only after Elections Canada makes official the results of the byelection in Medicine HatCardston-Warner.
”The writ will then be sent to the clerk of the House of Commons,” said Motz. “Until that happens there can be no arrangements made on a swearing-in ceremony.”
It is not clear how long that process will take but Motz said he is hoping for a week or less.
The House of Commons will have a “break week” Nov. 7-11.
“I would like to have my swearing-in done before that so that when the House resumes on the 14th I can join my colleagues in the House of Commons on that day,” said Motz. “That’s my hope but I don’t know. It is out of my hands.”
Motz will not be allowed in the House of Commons until he is sworn in, he said.
From the beginning of next week Motz will have two days of orientation for a new MP on Parliament Hill. He will undergo training on reviewing a budget and the parliamentary process, legal services, hiring of staff, and leases for a temporary residence in Ottawa, said Motz. Information services will assist with technical aspects such as getting a phone and an iPad.
“That will be at least two day other orientations that happen as well.”
Motz will need to sort out accommodation for himself while in Ottawa.
“I hope to be home every weekend, as much as possible, and I will try and do that all the time,” said Motz.
Regarding a constituency office in the riding, the current one on Third Street downtown will remain in place possibly until January, said Motz.
“Then we intend to move to a location that will have better access, better parking, more accessibility,” said Motz. “The location we are considering I think suits better. Some people don’t like to go downtown.”
Motz is considering having only one permanent constituency office in the riding, Medicine Hat. He would then regularly go to other communities to meet with constituents, perhaps in a townhall or library.