2010-06 (June)
Blaine Calkins MP Report
June 22, 2010
Spring Sitting Wrap Up
I am often asked if minority Governments really work. In the last six years, Canada has had three minority governments and with each session, they have become more politically adversarial.
We started off the spring session with a Speech from the Throne and year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, including $19 billion in new federal stimulus spending. These strong actions designed to help build jobs and growth across Canada have helped make our country weather the global recession.
While our Conservative Government remained focused on the economy, we showed that we are serious about getting tough on crime. We introduced legislation that would protect the most vulnerable, keep law-abiding Canadians safe, and crack down on criminals by putting citizens first.
The past sitting was marked by political partisanship as the Liberals, Bloc Quebecois and NDP schemed and plotted to form a coalition government. Their political games extended into all aspects of the legislative process. Even the Standing Committees of the House of Commons that have long been considered an area where MPs rolled up their sleeves and worked together have become another outlet for political gamesmanship.
Despite all the ill will, some positive, meaningful measures were implemented. The new refugee program that will help deal with the thousands of counterfeit claims that are clogging up the refugee system was passed. Now, a new system for hearing refugee applications will ensure faster decisions and quicker removals of people who make bogus claims thanks to a rare show of co-operation.
The Prime Minister, like most Canadians, was appalled when he heard reports that on July 5th Carla Holmolka would be elgible to apply for a pardon for her vicious crimes. He asked Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews to draft changes to the law as quickly as possible. The Bill was introduced on May 11th but since some Opposition Parties were aganist some of the tough provisions, he broke the impasse by splitting the bill.
The key amendment extending the time period that a person convicted of a serious personal injury offence -- including manslaughter, violent assault and sexual assault -- has to wait before applying for a pardon was passed in the final hours before the summer recess. The second part of the legislation that will complete the overhaul of the pardon system will be debated in the Fall. With the quick passage of this new provision, Parliament ensured that violent criminals like Carla Holmolka will not have early access to a pardon.
In another example of co-operation, a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by my colleague, Joy Smith (Kildonan-St. Paul, Manitoba) imposing minimum sentences for child trafficking became the only Private Members’ Bill to be passed by Parliament since the last election in 2008.
Sometimes common sense and the need to do what is right trump differing opinions and political interests showing that even the most adversarial minority Parliament can work. One thing was certain in the final days of this sitting – MPs wanted to go home to their Constituencies to be with the people they represent.
I am looking forward to attending events throughout the Riding over the summer and I hope to see you but in the mean time for assistance or for information on federally related matters contact my Constituency Office, postage free at: #6, 4612 - 50th Street, Ponoka, T4J 1S7. Tel: (403) 783-5530; toll free: 1-800-665-0865 or visit my web site: www.blainecalkinsmp.ca
-30-