I just walked back to my hotel, past the Center Block. The wind tonight is fierce, and the flag atop the Peace Tower is tugging away at its poll and standing out straight. From the street it looks like a postage stamp flapping madly in the blast coming of the Rideau River, but in reality that flag is huge – eight by sixteen feet. Another example of things in Ottawa not looking as they really are.
So Stephen Harper announced his cabinet today which, as you know, did not include me. A reporter asked how I felt about that, and all I could think of was, “Relieved.†I don’t think that was the response she was expecting, but it was definitely what I was thinking. Esther tells me they were also busy fielding calls in the riding office today from people who were almost as ticked I did not make it, as they were upset the cabinet includes a floor-crossing former Liberal and an unelected Senator.
I have no doubt the prime minister is certain of what he is doing and when Parliament resumes on April 3rd, that his cabinet choices will meet the test. In the meantime, nothing has happened that will alter my agenda, for which I am – relieved.
In the media and political hothouse which is Ottawa, things like cabinet appointments, titles, the size of your office and your seat in the House of Commons occupy just about everybody. Opposition MPs troll the House of Commons corridors looking for microphones, while government MPs look to stay out of trouble. I have written here before how the oil of ambition in this place starts a slippery slide which can often end up with a tumble right off Parliament Hill. People come here and quickly learn that while being elected may make you important back home, here it means squat.
Hence the hoopla today, following all the speculation. Live TV. Media packs everywhere. Ministers at microphones. People jockeying for position. Parliamentary secretaries. Limos. Titles, titles and more titles.
But the title I am most proud of was not used much today, and that is “MP.†It’s why I am here. Why I was relieved to watch that spectacle, and not be part of it, from across the street as I let the cable guy in to hook up my new little apartment. Strikes me that when being an MP is not enough, as is clearly the case right now in Ottawa, then it is the voters who suffer. I know many people in Halton and elsewhere agonized over their ballot in the election, trying to sift through the claims and counter-claims of the leaders and make the right choice.
And I will not forget that.
So, here’s my pledge: First, I pledge to remember every day that my job is not to serve the party or the prime minister, but rather the people who sent me here. I am honoured and humbled to be the member of Parliament for Halton, for which I campaigned my butt off for eight months.
Second, I pledge to work for the empowerment of the position of MP, because when that happens, the voters are also empowered. In the 13 years since I was last here, disrespect for Parliament and politicians has only become worse. Surely the way to change that is for MPs to earn more respect, and then carry that with them onto Parliament Hill. They shouldn’t each be just one more vote in the House supporting the government, or one more name on a party ballot, but instead independent people who are here to reflect the views and hopes of those who sent them.
So, I am looking to this prime minister to finally start throwing the doors and windows of Parliament open, with more free votes, less party discipline and more power for MPs to create, craft and pass laws that the people want.
Third, I pledge to share my position with everyone who wants a piece of it. My power here is your power, and I pledge to find more tools to allow us to use it together. As I have told you, soon there will be a new Digital Democracy in Halton, which will provide you with a powerful web-based way to join with me every day. Vote on issues. Join discussion boards on legislative topics. Cast your ballot along with me in the House. Gain access to government services and departments, documents. And tear down the stone walls that keep you from being a part of this place every moment the House of Commons sits. It is, after all, your house.
Fourth, I pledge to advance the agenda you sent me here to talk about. Middle class voters in Halton and, I suspect, across Canada, are looking to this government to ease family finances, cut taxes, allow income-splitting, help with retirement savings, cut commuting costs, stabilize rising mortgage rates, get truly tough on crime and bring honesty and ethics back to Ottawa. I have written millions of words about the need for these things, along with the restoration of the right to own property and the reform of Parliament, and now is the time for Garth Turner to try and turn words into deeds.
I pledge I’ll listen to my neighbours at home, and that I will not forget them on the Hill. I pledge I’ll work to restore honour and respect to this job of MP. I pledge I will not lose my focus or sense of purpose chasing a title and a chauffer. I pledge to always represent you to Parliament, and not the other way around. I pledge to listen, then act. I pledge to think about what you have told me before I cast every vote and make every speech.
And I pledge that tomorrow morning, when I walk through the throng of media and into the caucus room, it will be with pride, as if you were with me.
9 comments ↓
Hey Garth
While you have set the tone and put us in the pledging mode – I pledge to participate on this BLOG and to keep checking in to see how you might need my help. I am just one consituent, but you have opened up the world of politics to me. So … reach out for me … and … I’ll be there!
Hey Garth
I seem to remember you during the campaign, constantly talking about as you refer to her as “what’s her name”, aka Belinda Stronach. You were always so quick to criticize her for leaving the Conservative and joining the Liberals. Why aren’t you saying anything about Emerson now??? Is it because it is advantagous to your party? Look how quickly things change….
Actually, I do not recall mentioning Belinda at all during the election campaign, except to say when an MP crosses the floor they should go back to the people for ratification or rejection. — Garth
From your news clipping: ” a strong physical presence in the Oakville-Burlington corridor. “The bulk of the population in this riding lives south of Highway 5,” Turner says, “and it is for that reason the MP needs to be there, every day. That is certainly going to happen.”" How are you going to make this happen? You were elected to be Ottawa reperesenting us, not hanging out in Oakville in Burlington…Are you planning on opening 3 MP help centres? Any why did you open as the MP help centre on Jan 25th, but you still has Garth Turner Conservative signs outside??? You are supposed to be a non partisan representative… awaiting a reply
We plan to establish a presence in the Oakville-Burlington corridor to help service consituents who live in that area – one which has been neglected in the past, and which will be properly staffed. I will be there, and at the Milton location, when not in Ottawa. Since the outgoing MP was supposed to be on the job for 17 days followig the election, but disappeared, our Help Cenre quickly moved in to fill the gap, even as the campaign signs were being cleared away as efficiently as possible. Say, you wouldn’t still be fighting the election, would you? — Garth
Garth worked non-stop for nearly a year campaigning tirelessly and relentlessly to win a riding in the all important “905″ area. Diane Ablonczy has given her heart and soul to the Conservative party and is widely acclaimed as having the knowledge, skills and abilities to be a first rate cabinet minister. … And we get “Belinda” Emerson?
Yesterday was supposed to be a fresh start for this country. Stephen Harper campaigned on ethics and accountability. The voters rewarded him with power, and with a caucus full of enthusiastic, intelligent and disciplined MPs. And Mr. Harper ignores each and every one of them and rescues Emerson from the sinking Liberal ship.
Never mind what this says about loyalty, and political expediency, what is truly worrisome is what this says about Mr. Harper’s judgement and leadership abilities. This was not a snap decision made in the heat and confusion of a crisis. This was something that took days of planning and offered ample time for reflection, reconsideration and the solicitation of the opinons of Mr. Harper’s most trusted advisors. … And we get Emerson.
I wish Mr. Harper the best. He has my support. I hope he proves me wrong. Throughout the campaign he looked and sounded like a leader. But yesterday was his first day as leader of this country. And it was not a good day.
Daryl
Garth,
I too am relieved you did not get appointed. Not because you wouldn’t make a great cabinet minister, but because this will allow you more time to put your concept of ‘digital-democracy’ in to action. I am very excited about this concept — and I hope this gets other MPs interested in doing something similar. What a great way it will be for each and every constituent to have a voice and feel like they actually have a say in day to day issues!
We have the technology, let’s put it to good use and get Canadians engaged! They won’t even have to get off the couch if they don’t want to, and still make a difference!
You deleted that?
For future reference what part of it was deletion worthy?
I don’t know what you are referring to. — Garth
I too like the idea of having digital democracy here in Halton more than having Garth bogged down in some cabinet post.
Garth would excel in both capacities (in cabinet and our digital MP), but I think breaking some new ground with digital democracy will be a much more exciting and durable experiment.
Mr Turner, I am not fussed by the Emerson appointmant, nor was I fussed about Ms Stronach’s. People do what they have to do to best represent their constituents. Emerson is emminently qualified and IMO, a welcome addition to the party.
“Crossing the floor” has a long tradition in parliament. Even the great Winston Churchill started as a Conservative, crossed to the Liberals, then back to the Conservatives, which led him to quip, “Anyone can rat [change parties], but it takes a certain ingenuity to re-rat.”
Emerson will face the voters again in 18-24 months, just as you will, and the people of Vancouver can either turf him or keep him, as did the liberals with Ms Stronach.
In the meantime, Mr Turner, best wishes.
Emerson.
If he wants to serve the public so bad why doesnt he go into the public service instead of changing parties.
You dont have to be a cabinet minister to serve the people. He can volunteer somewhere.
His move is purely ego, shameful and thats it.
This notion that he is the only person capable of speaking for Vancouver is embarrassing.
I find it very arrogant that Emerson thinks he is some sort of saviour to B.C. There are alot of good people around that can do a better job than him.
Ones that are principled and respected, for example John Cummins.