​One of the reasons why I write weekly MP reports is so citizens can be informed and follow events occurring in Ottawa and by extension hold myself and MP's from other parties to account.
 
As much as I would like to share events occurring in Ottawa this week unfortunately the House of Commons is still not in session. 
 
Despite the election occurring back in late October, Prime Minister Trudeau has waited until Thursday, December 5th to recall the House for a Throne Speech.

After the Throne Speech the House is not scheduled to sit again until Monday, January 27th of 2020.
 
The House of Commons was last in session in late June of this year and, with the exception of the brief throne speech on December 5th, it will have sat vacant for over half a year. 
 
While it is understandable that this is an abnormal time, as a result of the federal election, it is concerning that nearly three months will have passed, since the election, before the House assumes regular sittings.
 
I raise this because the BC Forest industry, as one example, is in a crisis situation.

Citizens in Kelowna are deeply concerned that 174 residents who worked at the local Tolko lumber mill are now out of work.
 
This week the BC NDP Government announced, in the fiscal update, that revenue received from the BC forest sector has decreased by $110 million.

That is government revenue that now must be made up either through reductions in spending or increased taxes elsewhere.
 
Also this week Canfor announced that 10 lumber mills will be shut down for a two week period, temporarily displacing over 2,000 workers.
 
These critically important points deserve to be raised on the floor of the House of Commons for response from the Liberal Government.
 
Not all problems in the forest industry can be solved by Government.

The current timber shortage and devastation from the mountain pine beetle are two examples of that.
 
However we also have to recognize that some BC forest companies. currently closing down lumber mills in BC. are not leaving forestry.

Instead they are investing in and opening up new lumber mills in the United States.
 
This is deeply concerning when BC forest companies leave BC to invest in other regions.

Many of the regions they are investing in have different government policies.
 
As an example, a lumber mill operating is some of these US jurisdictions does not have higher payroll costs such as increased CPP or the BC NDP created Employer Health Tax.

They also do not pay carbon taxes or are subject to added duties at the border due to a lack of a softwood lumber agreement.
 
These are some areas where the Federal Government can show leadership.

Unfortunately with the House not sitting, the ability to raise these issues and hold the government to account is denied. 
 
My question this week:

Do you think it is reasonable that the Prime Minister has waited until December the 5th to table a Throne Speech?
 
I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.

​On Wednesday Prime Minister Trudeau announced his new cabinet.

Anyone who thought having less seats and a minority Government would in turn result in a smaller cabinet will be disappointed to learn otherwise.

By the numbers the new cabinet now has 37 Ministers in contrast to the 31 Minister's announced by the PM after the 2015 majority.

In order to add so many new Ministers in some cases a new Ministry had to be created.

As an example we now have a Minister of Middle Class Prosperity.

This is perhaps the first time where a well-known political talking point has now become a Ministry.

At this point it is unclear what will be the mandate of this or any Ministry as the official mandate letters have yet to be released.

Not counting PM Trudeau, of the remaining 36 Ministers, 18 are female and 18 are male as the gender quota policy of the Prime Minister remains unchanged.

What has changed is the distribution of responsibilities.

In the last Parliament, women were appointed Ministers or leaders in areas such as the Environment, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Attorney General, House Leader and President of Treasury Board,

In the 2019 Cabinet, all of the roles mentioned above, including Finance, Transport, and National Defence are filled by men.

It is also of interest that the only two Ministers, successfully re-elected, and not returned to cabinet were both women. 

There of course is also considerable discussion over who was demoted and promoted however I believe these types of discussions tend to diminish the contributions of the Minister and the portfolio in question, often unfairly.

I will also add that there are seven new faces at the cabinet table and I am certain that there will be no dispute for them serving in cabinet is a promotion.

Regionally the big winner of this cabinet is the City of Montreal, who now has seven Ministers serving in Mr. Trudeau’s Cabinet.

17 Minister's are from Ontario and 11 are from Quebec, compared to 4 from BC.

Another significant change is that there is no longer a Minister for Democratic Institutions.

For those hoping that Mr. Trudeau would eventually honour his promise to end the first past the post voting system this seems increasingly unlikely as a result of this move.

Other Ministerial portfolios also no longer exist.

As an example there is no longer a Minister of Sport nor is there a Minister of Science.

This leads to my question for this week: 

Given that there is no longer a Minster of Science or Sport, are you supportive that there is now a Minister of Middle Class Prosperity?

I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-665-8711. 

By this time next week it is expected that Prime Minister Trudeau will have announced his cabinet choices for the upcoming 43rd Parliament.

In turn the Opposition parties will also announce their respective official critics in response.

​The first week of December, Canada’s 43rd Parliament will be convened to elect the Speaker followed by the Liberal minority government delivering its first Speech from the Throne- an outline of the Government’s priorities.

The content of the Throne Speech is still unknown, although this week the Prime Minister has been meeting with leaders of the other opposition parties as well as some Provincial leaders.

As I mentioned in last week’s report, it is important to recognize that the Prime Minister only requires the support of one of the three major parties in order to secure enough votes to prevent the government from falling.

For opposition parties, while it is easy to oppose, there must also be awareness that if all of the three major opposition parties oppose the Liberal minority government, it would fall and trigger an election.

I believe that Canadians elected a minority government in order to see greater cooperation and compromise in Ottawa.  

The Throne Speech presents an opportunity for the Prime Minister to reflect that sentiment or it may also be used to gain the support of one opposition party at the expense of others in a more divisive manner.

At this point, I am working on future private members legislation as well as preparing issues of local importance to raise with new cabinet ministers, once they have been announced.

It is also my intention to work with our Okanagan MP's on a regional level to address areas of common concern such as the threat of invasive species to Okanagan Lake from freshwater mussels.

The struggles of the BC forest sector and the loss of local lumber mill jobs is another concern, more so as we increasingly see BC forest companies investing and creating new jobs in the United States. 

These situations affect all of us and hopefully within a minority Government, front and backbench MP's can better work together across party lines to see more results being achieved and less photo-ops staged for political reasons.

This leads to my question for this week:

On the local or regional level. what challenges do you see where increased leadership from the federal government can play a role?

I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca  or call toll free 1-800-665-8711. 

This week I am back in Ottawa for the first time since the recent election.

It is a bittersweet occasion having to say goodbye to some colleagues who I have worked with for years who were not re-elected.

It is also an exciting time for those who are newly elected stepping into the House of Commons for the very first time.

Being in the House of Commons as an elected representative on behalf of the citizens we represent is an immense honour.

That we have, both departing and newly arriving Members of Parliament, is all part of a healthy democracy.

This is why honouring Veteran’s Week is critically important and on that point,  I encourage you to take part in your local Remembrance Day ceremony.

When I reflect on the great importance of Remembrance Day, I am reminded of a visit by former British Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011.

During his visit Mr. Cameron reminded the House of Commons that: “in the world’s toughest times and darkest hours, Canada has always defended democratic freedom and fought against tyranny.”

As Canadians we have been defined by the sacrifices of the brave men and women who serve in honour of our nation.

On this week, in what is the 11th month, on the eleventh day and at the eleventh hour, Canadians will give pause to honour and reflect on the sacrifice of those brave soldiers who have served.

Let us give thanks to our veterans for all that we have and may we never forget.

My question this week:

Will you be attending a Remembrance Day service?

I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.