Something’s happenin’ here. We scored a bunch of high-quality, and unexpected, volunteers this week. The corner of Esther’s desk was piled high with emails of support she had printed off when I walked in tonight. I heard reports I was the little hero of a business gathering a few nights ago where the topic of conversation was Lebanon. And my push for property rights has hit a nerve in the south end of the riding where it will soon be illegal to cut a tree. Even if you planted it.
In short, I am feeling more confident, cocky and insufferable than usual. In fact I was so full of myself yesterday that I bought leather fringe for the handlegrips of my bike. Feeling all the world like Dennis Hopper, I pulled into the garage at home last night just in time for Dorothy to tell me I looked like a trailer park refugee.
But I recovered nicely today. One of the reasons was the editorial below, published in the three largest circulation papers in my riding. They are all owned, amazingly, by the Toronto Star.
Tomorrow I’m buying fringe for my saddlebags.
Turner delivering on his promise
Canadian Champion Editorial
(Also ran in Burlington Post, Oakville Beaver)
Jul 28, 2006
Roughly six months ago, shortly after being elected as a member of Stephen Harper’s minority Conservative government, Garth Turner offered a refreshing take on his role as an MP.
He spoke of an intense desire to be a public servant of middle-class Canadians and to interact and connect with them through town hall meetings and today’s rapidly-evolving computer technology. He also promised to speak his mind on issues — even if his point of view conflicted with that of the prime minister. Turner conceded that his unconventional approach would likely cost him any chance at a cabinet appointment. He was right.
Last week Turner was harshly criticized by fellow MP Omar Alghabra for suggesting residents of war-torn Lebanon who hold dual citizenship but haven’t lived in Canada for several years should have to pay for their own evacuation.
Turner’s words — while controversial — echo the thoughts of many Canadians who believe only permanent residents of our country should be entitled to hold Canadian passports.
The local MP’s open approach in his first 180 days back in Ottawa (he previously served as the MP for the former riding of Halton-Peel from 1988-93) has been met with opposition by some Conservative Party of Canada faithfuls who label him a brash maverick intent on stirring up trouble by routinely bucking the party line.
Some Halton residents have gone so far as to suggest that they never would have voted for Turner had they known he was going to oppose his own party.
We remind the naysayers who suggest that Turner should have run as an independent that the Conservative Party was only too willing to welcome the veteran politician with open arms when there was an election to win.
What’s most ironic about the criticism heaped upon Turner as he pursues issues that matter to ordinary Canadians is that he’s simply keeping the promise that Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party made in the lead up to the January 23 election — to return integrity to Ottawa.
Turner should be applauded — not punished — for delivering on the campaign and post-election promises he made. Those who voted for the MP with the expectation that he would blindly follow the PM’s every lead have only themselves to blame for supporting a candidate without reviewing his campaign platform.
29 comments ↓
Way to go, Garth!! A great write up that you 100% deserve!! I am not in your riding but definately appreciate your integrity (I am, unfortunately, stuck in a riding that has been Liberal since 1917 – augh)!
I am almost finished reading William Johnson’s autobiography of Stephen Harper and I see in him the exact same type of integrity as I see in you. Mr. Harper will definately NOT be a leader who governs by polls (such as Mr. Martin) but by principal, same as you!
3 cheers for Garth Turner!!
I voted for you last time because I didn’t have time for Carr and with Harper sounding and acting like a viable alternative,it was a chance to dump Mr.Dithers.
Now my voting preference would no longer be by default.
I like the fact that Harper makes decisions,and I like the fact that my MP has a voice as opposed to just being part of the Borg.
Keep it up!
Garth, I keep the spot where you stood in my home during your campaign visit last December cordoned off from my family (in spirit of course!).
However I do keep a Garth Turner election sign clean and prepared for display and I can hardly wait for the next election. You have done your constituents proud and we are so much better here in Halton having elected you as our MP.
Big slap on the shoulder and an “Attaboy” for you, Garth! I know this blogspace is a bit of a free-for-all sometimes but it’s always a good read. You are to be commended for having the patience to let the crazies rant, knowing that the not-so-crazies will always jump in to offer up something a little more thoughtful.
This is a real cool place to hang out.
Some of us hope for a day when property rights will be part of the constitution–to protect us from government. Until then, keep up the good work! Finally, the timid middle class is no longer overshadowed by politically correct interest groups.
well deserved, well written. Keep fighting for the middle class with tax, and more importantly, spending cuts Garth. No one ought to have the right to use the government to steal from me what they do not have the intelligence or initiative to provide for themselves.
BTW, on a completely related topic, when does the government plan on kicking all of the nation’s farmers off of the federal welfare rolls. Seriously I would love also to be able to produce as much as I possibly could of a good that nobody wanted and be sheltered from market forces by my mommy…er I mean the state, but that is simply unreasonable. So, Garth do you plan on standing up for middle class Canadians and calling for an end to this ridiculous waste? I understand that you come from a party of mostly rural socialists, but the time has come to take a stand. That is not their money, and they do not deserve mine.
Charley, keep reading. You may be surprised by a lot of the views that Stephen Harper has, considering that the media and opposition parties have quite often reported just the opposite of the truth. I developed a lot of respect for the man by the time I had finished reading the book, and I’m glad that he has held to those principles.
Letter to Editor: Hanover Post, July 28th.
Dear Editor: Well, we received our child care subsidy cheque today from our friends in Ottawa. This was the much anticipated “$100. per month for every child under the age of six”
Imagine our surprise when we opened the envelope and discovered that instead of $100. per month to help pay for child care, we receive $1.79 per month.
Truth be told we would have used the money to help fund an RESP.
Instead we what what amounts to a “HA HA WE FOOLED YOU” cheque.
Somewhere in all the press releases and “vote for me” info, they neglected to tell us the $100. would be indexed according to your family income.
The Conservative promise of $100. per month certainly fooled a lot of people. I believe this is called “BAIT AND SWITCH”.Is it any wonder that the majority of Canadians do not trust politicians?
Stephen Vanderkolff
Mildmay, Ontario.
Please tell me we are not paying government workers to issue monthly cheques worth less thatn 2 bucks.
Even the Revenue Canada people won’t refund/collect money for less than $2.00.
Hello Mr. Turner,
I regret that I did not vote for you as Halton MP – you and the
conservatives were actually the ones that I least wanted. However, your
actions since that time – and in particular the stances you’ve taken to
uphold accountability and sensibility on various issues – have changed my
mind [incidently, it was for the accountability issues that I didn't vote
Liberal either]. I am very pleased with your what you’ve done. It’s highly
commendable how you’ve stood up for what is right for the people, even when
it goes against your party line. Thank you for doing such a great job. In
hindsight, you would get my vote (although I’m still not sold on Harper or
the Conservative party).
Thank you for your time and keep up the excellent work.
JH
Oakville, Ont.
Maybe that dude has no idea what he talking about Judy. I haven’t seen my check yet — it’s only been a week since these things started getting mailed — I’m surprised he has his already — you know, considering Canada Post usually takes a week to deliver anything unless it’s sent expresspost. I think it was stated pretty clearly that the $100 is taxable in the hands of the lower income earning spouse. So I don’t know how that would amount to $1.79. Sounds like this guy needs to backup his claims with a litle more information. Maybe he’s getting it confused with something else and jumping to conclusions.
Also, Judy, I was just talking with my neighbour who has 1 child that is under six. She received her check in the mail yesterday and it was for the full $100.
Hi Garth:
First, congratulations on your victory at the polls. It was about time someone put the boots to Carr. He is one of those low principled individuals who should not have won once, let alone hanging around for so long. Good riddance.
I support your efforts re property rights. I have collaborated with Glen Herring on the Oakville “Tree” issue, so you can see we have hit your issue of property rights also. Your thrust could not be better timed.
Good Luck
Regards
Wilf Rudd
21 First St.,
Oakville
Hi Garth:
First, congratulations on your victory at the polls. It was about time someone put the boots to Carr. He is one of those low principled individuals who should not have won once, let alone hanging around for so long. Good riddance.
I support your efforts re property rights. Your thrust could not be better timed.
Good Luck
Regards
Wilf R.
Oakville
Judy is her own Department of MisInformation. The $100/month will be taxable at tax time – not on a monthly basis. Judy and her types, apparently don’t do their own homework and sky is always falling.
for everyone else – here’s the Q&A on the benefit….
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/benefits/uccb/faq2-e.html
I’m confused, and a little skeptical, about the child cheque for $1.79. We recieved a cheque for the full amount and it wasn’t indexed to either of our incomes. I’m not a tax expert, but wouldn’t Mr. Vanderkolff need to be in a 98% tax bracket to recieve a cheque under $2? Doesn’t that sound a bit absurd? Judy, was there a picture of the cheque with the article or did you just assume it must be true because it supported your own prejudices? I’d like to see his cheque, and I wonder if the “professional” journalist at the Hanover Post made the guy prove his claim prior to printing his complaint letter. If it’s real I’d be choked too, but at this point I’m thinking it’s either a mistake or a falsehood put into print (and by that act given “life”) by a biased media.
Todd
Garth
After the initial media reports on the federal budget, I wrote you a very rude, sarcastic and condesending email. Ten minutes later, I received a very sarcastic and condesending response. From that point on I knew that you were my type of guy!
As I’ve told you before, I find your straight talking and honest approach to politics most refreshing.
Thanks for the hard work.
ALW-I hope that the repairs to the basement are as painless as possible. What a drag. If I were the cat, I’d keep outta your way!
Garth
Let me begin by saying that I believe this is only the second time in my life that I have written to a Member of Parliament. Given that I am 55 years old you can see this is a pretty rare event!
Before commenting on the subject at hand I would like to say that I find myself in agreement with the position you have taken on most issues. I agree whole heartedly with your recent position on the exodus from Lebanon. You seem to have a common sense approach to most matters. Regrettably, I was unable to vote for you in the last election not because of your position on any matter but because of your party affiliation and their position on gay rights and in particular gay marriage. (I am one half of a gay couple living in your riding. Neither of us will ever be able to vote Conservative so long as the party does not stand equal rights.)
Getting to the point at hand, I simply wanted to let you know that I support you in your battle for property rights, enshrining them in the charter if that is what it is going to take. When I purchased this home it was devoid of trees. In the ten years that I have lived here I have planted five trees. While it is highly unlikely that I would ever want a pool in the backyard, I don’t ever want to be in a position where I am told that I can’t put one in because it would mean removing a tree that I paid for and put there. In the same sense that I resent being told by the Town that I can’t put any kind of pesticide on my fenced backyard because I back onto park land.
Yours Sincerely,
Doug W.
Oakville Ont.
Doug W
After reading your letter to Garth, I thought I’d write you to let you know that you and your partner have the support of at least one member of the straight community here in Oakville…me. Everyone in Canada should enjoy equal rights (that’s what makes them “equal”).
I do hope that Garth forwards your letter to Stephen Harper.
Keep me on the guest list Doug. Just because I won’t be at the altar doesn’t mean I can’t be at the wedding!
As for your right to chop down trees..let’s not push it. Just kidding.
Take care,
Andrew
Thank you and keep up the good work,im sure you have a very difficult job.Your honest common sense approach will reap rewards for us all!–thank you
John Mccormick
I didn’t say the letter from the fellow in Mildmay was accurate.
My footnote asked if this could actually be true!!!
Judy – actually your question was “Please tell me we are not paying government workers to issue monthly cheques worth less thatn 2 bucks.
Even the Revenue Canada people won’t refund/collect money for less than $2.00. “. You didn’t question whether this “man’s” claim that he received a UCCB cheque of 1.79 was true – you question whether CRA would send a cheque in that small amount? Big difference. Try again.
Just wanted to say that it is a pleasure to read and listen to a politician that speaks his mind and is not a puppet to his party. Those who would critcise you should not be representing Canadians if all they are going to do is follow party lines and party dogma. My hat is off to you. You are a breath of fresh air. Don’t let the nay sayers (the do nothing politicians) get to you. Stay the course Garth, You are a rare breed that the Canadian public needs so badly. Your position on the Lebonese question is right on the mark. Those who are resident in Canada and contribute to our society and pay their share of taxes and are loyal to this great country are good Canadians. Those who,by whatever means, were issued with a Canadian Passport and who have elected to live in Lebonen and are part of that country should have their Canadian status removed. When the going gets rough over there, they should be left to their own devices. They do not contribute to Canada, they are not Canadians.
Your Stand the tree cutting on private property is also right on the mark. We as Canadian property owners should have property rights and not be subject to a group of lame thinking municiple politicians who must lay awake nights dreaming up some way of screwing the public. I say to them GET OUT OF MY LIFE. If I plant a tree on my proberty and at some future time I want to get rid of it, no half witted counsellor/mayor is going to stop me from doing just that.
Good on you Garth, I am with you am all the way.
Ed B.
Oakville
Geez Trevor…did ya find a hair in your burger…you sound a little pissed.
Catherine: My, Please tell me this isn’t true was a question directed at the government. Governments have been known to spend money indiscriminately.
I was hoping the answer would be an emphatic “No, this is not true”.
BTW, on a completely related topic, when does the government plan on kicking all of the nation’s farmers off of the federal welfare rolls.
Good one, Trevor. The Conservative government just put 2 million Canadians on the welfare rolls with their $100 monthly stipend. Anyone who bought into the silly notion that conservatives hate welfare has a big shock coming to them.
Hey Garth:
Just wanted to say thanks for peeling back the curtain of this mysterious place we call Parliament Hill, and giving us a peek. Your blog makes for good reading, and interesting discussion.
It’s quite refreshing to see somebody that sticks what they say and stands up for their constituents. So, keep up the good work.
-Laura
Nice one Robby M.. Only someone like you can call helping families with young kids ‘welfare’. Of course you can’t concern yourself with such silly things as children. You are too busy spewing hate all day it seems…
Do you ever have anything positive to say?
I was hoping the answer would be an emphatic “No, this is not trueâ€.
Judy, did you read the link Catherine posted? Let me try again for you and point you to the exact question:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/benefits/uccb/faq2-e.html#q18
If you still can’t handle that, here’s your direct answer:
Can taxes be withheld at source on my Universal Child Care Benefits?
Income tax will not be withheld from Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) payments. You may wish to increase the amount of tax withheld at source from your other sources of income to compensate. To find out how, please contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-8281.
So no, it is impossible that Stephen Vanderkolff had any amount of money taken off his check. So he is either flat out lying, or to give him the benefit of the doubt, just very confused. It’s too bad the paper didn’t do a little research of their own before printing such a misinformed letter.
Our family received our check on Tuesday in the full amount of $200 for our two under 6 year old children.
There’s no point in singling out the farmers. Money for farmers is just another industrial subsidy. Bombardier, softwood lumber, blah-blah, you know the list. It’s all about corporate welfare.
As long as our trading partners subsidize the hell out of their ag sectors we will too. Free trade is expensive.