B. C. Tory MP backs down on opposition to Bill C- 38

Wilks flip- flops day after saying he’d ‘ stand up’ to own party

OTTAWA — A B. C. Conservative MP’S flip- flop Wednesday on whether he’ll support Bill C- 38, the federal government’s huge budget implementation bill, serves as a bleak reminder of the weak status of ordinary parliamentarians in Canadian democracy, say experts.

David Wilks, MP for KootenayColumbia and a former RCMP officer, made a stunning statement to about 30 constituents at a meeting in Revelstoke Tuesday: “I will stand up and say the Harper government should get rid of Bill C- 38.”

Wilks, who delivered a speech in the Commons earlier this month in favour of the bill, apparently knew he was being recorded Tuesday. The video was widely viewed on social media Wednesday, and featured city residents upset about provisions of the bill such as the watering down of the federal Fisheries Act.

Wilks said he shared their concerns about the need for the 425- page bill to be broken up into several different pieces of legislation. “I think you’ll find a [ group] of Conservatives that do hold your concerns. And I am one of them.”

But Wilks issued a statement Wednesday “in response to a media report” after the video sparked enormous interest on Twitter.

“I wish to clarify my position with regard to Bill C- 38, the Jobs, Growth and Long- Term Prosperity Act,” Wilks said. “I support this bill, and the jobs and growth measures that it will bring for Canadians in Kootenay- Columbia and right across the country.”

The flip- flop underscores the strict control party leaders have over ordinary backbenchers, said Queen’s University political scientist Ned Franks, an expert on Parliament and democracy.

In the United Kingdom, MPS are beholden to their riding associations, not their leaders or party brass, he said.

“Our whole system has been developed to privilege the party leaders over the constituency representation rule of the MPS. And that’s what you’re seeing here.”

An MP who takes orders from party leaders rather than constituents is probably acceptable for the minority of Canadians who support the MP’S party. “But for the rest of them, they look at the MPS as trained seals. And it’s unfortunate,” he said.

The University of Victoria’s Norman Ruff said Wilks’ apparent empathy for his constituents’ concerns melted under the weight of political reality. “MPS who struggle against party discipline forfeit any ambitions they might have to rise above backbencher, or worse, settle to be still more of a non- entity as an independent member.”

Wilks was initially cautious at the Tuesday meeting,

“If Canadians want it changed, then enough Canadians have to stand up to their MPS and say ‘ no’ … I will stand up and say the Harper government should get rid of Bill C- 38.” “I wish to clarify my position with regard to Bill C- 38, the Jobs, Growth and Long- Term Prosperity Act. I support this bill, and the jobs and growth measures that it will bring for Canadians in KootenayColumbia and right across the country.”

explaining “how Ottawa works” and saying if he voted against the bill he would be forced to sit as an independent — a prospect at least one participant said would be worthwhile to send a message about democracy.

The MP said he hadn’t participated in a free vote since his election.

“If I stand up and say no, it still passes,” Wilks said. “Canadians collectively have to put enough pressure on at least 13 members of Parliament.”

A young man who filmed the meeting then interjected: “I’m filming you right now. Will you allow me to put that message to all Canadians, through Internet networks, so they know what your message is for Canadians?”

Wilks looked into the camera and said: “If Canadians want it changed, then enough Canadians have to stand up to their MPS and say ‘ no’.”

A call to Wilks’s office in Cranbrook wasn’t immediately returned.