​One of the things that I have discovered during my time in Ottawa is how frequently any debate on crime related legislation often overlooks the devastating impact that serious crime has on the victims and their families.  Recently many citizens have contacted me to express outrage that a man who committed a brutal and senseless act of unprovoked murder on a Kelowna City bus will again be free to roam the streets in just four and a half years. For the family of the victim, Caesar Rosales, this sentence is a slap in the face and an injustice to the memory of a loved one. What can citizens do? It is important for people to reach out to elected officials – in this case both MP’s and MLA’s to express outrage over this tragedy.  Although our justice system is by design intended to be free of political interference, laws both in Victoria and Ottawa can be changed, something that our former Government in Ottawa tried frequently to do in the last Parliament.
 
As this was a decision in a BC Provincial Court, the Provincial Crown Prosecutor can appeal this sentence, the criteria is as follows: 
 

1. Appeal Against Sentence to the Court of Appeal
2. No appeal against sentence will be approved unless:

 
1. the sentence imposed in the trial court is either illegal or unfit; and
2. (a) the proposed appeal involves a serious offence or relates to an offender who constitutes a serious threat to the community;
2. (b)  the proposed appeal raises an important question of general application concerning the principles of sentencing; or
 
 
In this case I believe that there is adequate evidence that due to the serious and violent nature of this crime, both in terms of public safety and interest, that the Crown should appeal this decision immediately.  In my view it is important to publicly speak out against these disturbing acts of random violence in the hopes that an appeal will be submitted.  While the Criminal Code is put in place by the Federal Parliament, the administration of Justice is delegated to the provinces and I am hopeful that local MLAs will also denounce this act and support an appeal.
 
For more information on the Crown's policy to appeal:
 
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/criminal-justice/prosecution-service/crown-counsel-policy-manual/app-1-appeals-by-crown-to-ca-and-scc.pdf
 
As my summer listening tour is now underway I welcome the opportunity to meet with you. Please contact me directly at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll-free at 1-800-665-8711.

​The House of Commons was scheduled to sit for three days this week before adjourning for the summer recess, however, the vote to adjourn took place last Friday. This allows all MPs to return to their Ridings and spend the summer working locally and being in touch with their constituents. As this was the first full spring session of the 42nd Parliament I thought I would take the opportunity to provide some statistics as they pertain to the work Parliament has done in the last 6 months.
 
By the numbers, the Government has now introduced 23 Bills. Of those 23, 4 have gone through the House and the Senate and are awaiting Royal Assent while 7 more are currently in the Senate, meaning there are still 12 Government Bills remaining in the House when debate resumes on September 19th.
 
As for Private Members Bills there are already 99 what we call PMB’s, that have received at least 1st reading in the House. Of these 99 only one bill, Bill C-210 “An Act to amend the National Anthem Act” (for gender) has passed through the house onto the Senate while just 4 bills have reached 2nd reading.
 
Meanwhile in the Senate there are currently just two Senate sponsored bills and a further 25 Senate Private Member Bills. In total there are currently almost 150 different legislative bills proposed to date between the Senate and the House of Commons.
 
I often like to mention the volume of Bills being brought forward because I believe it is an important factor when discussing any proposed reduction of the amount of sitting time in Ottawa.
 
Few take note that less time in Ottawa will result in fewer bills being scrutinized and debated.
 
It should also be pointed out that Opposition Day Debate and Motions, as well as Parliamentary Committee review and other events such as Question Period also consume our time in Ottawa in addition to time spent debating various bills. It is for these reasons that I continue to remain opposed to a shortened work week or any reduction to the amount of sitting time in the House of Commons.
Later this month the House will reconvene back in Ottawa to hear a speech from our special guest, President Obama before Members of Parliament return to their home ridings.
 
For many MPs, and certainly in my case with a geographically large riding, the summer months provide an excellent opportunity to travel to all parts of Central Okanagan Similkameen Nicola to meet with citizens and groups to hear concerns and ideas first hand.  In some situations problems may be very specific and localized but in other cases I have found citizens often have good ideas that can be shared and in several cases even incorporated into government policy. This is part of what I consider “Democracy In Action” where citizens can directly share ideas that can be taken to Ottawa through a variety of different means.
 
It is extremely important and very much appreciated that citizens take the time to sit down and meet with their locally elected representative, and this applies to all levels of government. Getting information and feedback from constituents is an essential part of democratic representation. On that note I would encourage citizens to contact me directly so that I can hear your concerns and hopefully meet you in person over these next few months.  I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca  or toll free at 1-800-665-8711

In my June 1st MP report I referenced the opposition #FreeTheBeer campaign that ultimately means asking that the Liberal Government elevate the Comeau case to the Supreme Court for constitutional clarification. For a quick refresher the “Comeau case” was where the Province of New Brunswick charged a citizen, Gerard Comeau, for personally importing beer and some spirits across a Provincial border from Quebec.  What is unique about this case was that a New Brunswick judge found Mr. Comeau was not guilty on account that our Canadian Constitution clearly states in Section 121 that “All Articles of the Growth, Produce, or Manufacture of any one of the Provinces shall, from and after the Union, be admitted free into each of the other Provinces.” Regrettably a few weeks ago the Province of New Brunswick announced they will be appealing this ruling.
 
Elevating this ruling to the Supreme Court for constitutional clarification has the potential to open up our internal economy for all Canadian producers of other products aside from just beer, wine or spirits. This obviously includes farmers and other agricultural producers.  This week the motion I wrote on elevating the Comeau case to the Supreme Court was the subject of the Opposition day debate in the House of Commons – this was a first in my time as an opposition MP and I am pleased to report that both the NDP and Elizabeth May of the Green party joined with our Conservative opposition in support of this motion. It was only a whipped vote from the Liberal majority government that defeated the motion after some very good debate from all sides. I am reasonably confident had this not been a whipped Government vote it may well have passed.
 
Also occurring this week in Ottawa, and as I have reported in previous MP reports, is that Bill C-14, the physician assisted dying legislation, is now in the Red Chamber (as the Senate is often referred to) where the Bill has received some seven different amendments . As I reported last week the Liberal government has indicated that it will not be accepting of any amendments to this bill so a potential standoff between the House and the Senate seems inevitable at this point. Members of the Senate have also indicated they may reject the bill outright in the event the Government does not entertain some of the proposed Senate amendments. As this is a relatively rare and uncharted situation it is difficult to speculate on what will occur next however I will provide updates in my future reports.
 
On a local note I can now confirm that due to the popularity of the new mobile constituency service my office has offered in Merritt on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 9am until noon at the Merritt City Hall I will now be expanding this service to Princeton and Keremeos.  Mobile constituency services will now be available on the 2nd Wednesday of each month in Princeton from 9am until noon at the Princeton Town Hall.  Also on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 1pm until 4 pm the service will be offered in Keremeos at the Village Hall.  For further information please contact me at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll free at 1-800-665-8711.

Dan in the in the news this week:

https://ipolitics.ca/2016/05/27/the-liberals-are-blowing-a-chance-to-ease-internal-trade/

http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/matt-gurney-politicians-love-to-talk-about-liberalization-from-the-sidelines-but-lose-enthusiasm-once-in-power

https://ipolitics.ca/2016/05/30/tory-mp-albas-renews-call-for-a-supreme-court-reference-on-interprovincial-alcohol-transportation/

​http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moosehead-nb-liquor-competition-beer-quebec-1.3609583