By Parry-Sound Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison
It has been a busy time recently in the House of Commons. Over the last few months, your Members of Parliament have debated and discussed momentous and timely issues for our country. From the Emergencies Act, to Bill C-11, which is an Act to amend the Broadcasting Act, to debates on the many challenges facing the world right now including the ongoing heartbreaking situation in Ukraine, Parliament has been busy working for you.
In all my time in public office, I have never seen the level of public engagement and interaction as my office and I have experienced over the past number of weeks. We’ve received thousands upon thousands of phone calls, all expressing a wide range of perspectives on a multitude of issues.
I’m proud to represent our communities in Parry Sound-Muskoka. Around here, folks know that we can disagree without being disagreeable—we know that we can have a great debate about the challenges facing our country, but we can do so in a respectful and constructive way. Recently in the House of Commons, I spoke about the need for the divisive rhetoric and politically opportune platitudes to stop, and the need for fewer politicians in favour of more leaders.
You see, leaders lead by inspiring those around them to greatness. They inspire a hope that tomorrow will be brighter than today. They lift everyone up, not just those who agree with them. They seek to bring people together, to give the voiceless a voice and a seat at the table. Leaders stand up for every citizen: every Canadian, urban, rural, rich or poor, white collar, blue collar, right and left, regardless of their faith or creed and regardless of their place of origin. A leader gives every ounce of their being to ensure a legacy of prosperity and success for their fellow citizens.
As I write this message, I’m mindful of the opportunity we all share to contribute to our societal and public discourse in a real and impactful way. We all have an opportunity to roll up our sleeves and help build a better country. In the coming weeks and months, I’m looking forward to sharing my ideas for how we can continue to build our great country up. At their core will be the goal of renewing Canadian hope, optimism and pride in our country, in instilling the belief that every child from coast to coast to coast will inherit a brighter future than we ourselves received. I firmly believe that Canada’s greatest days still lie ahead, but it’s going to take some hard work from all of us to get there. I know we are indeed up for the challenge.
This is a country where a person can be anything they want to be and do anything they want to do. We can give a job to those without one; we can ensure that our next generation can afford a home; we can eradicate poverty; we can come together again; we can break down the walls that divide us and help heal this broken nation, all with an understanding heart and an undying hope in the future and belief in each other as Canadians.
For now, though, I write this note to simply thank the thousands of residents in Parry Sound-Muskoka who took the time over the last number of weeks to share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas. I want to thank you for trusting me to represent you in Parliament. And I want to ask you to keep joining the discussion, keep contributing to the debate—because your voice makes us better as representatives, your voice makes us more informed as a society, and your voice makes us stronger as a country.
(Photo of Parliament Hill by festivio on Pixabay. Photo of Scott Aitchison courtesy of Scott Aitchison.)
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Easy shot Robert Zimmerman, but too true. Provincial and Federal we have Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail, all spouting verbal pap to get a vote.
But, measure that against a situation that is much worse; Russia for example. That man’s name could be used to describe all that is evil, vile and repugnant.
Maybe the new scrabble dictionary will include ‘putin’ as a word. It would describe a person, act or thing that elicits international revulsion. The man qualifies in all three categories.
Where is that righteous bolt of lightening, when we really need it?
Imagine how delusional one must be to think that any of the current “leaders” would inspire hope in anyone.
Gerry Flaherty, I agree with your comment. What is sad is the lack of understanding (of Conservative politicians and some in the public) concerning the need for directive action, e.g. public health emergency, which is at the heart of backlash and counter-movements.
People unfortunately have not experienced community outbreaks of illness and disease to the extent of a pandemic, therefore have little investment as Canadian citizens in combating a contagious illness that affects Anyone.
The individual pride and self-delusion of thinking that one is invincible to COVID attests to some changing values of “common good”. The enemy is not the measures taken to prevent illness, disease spread, and to restore order – the enemy has always been the virus. A virus that has no political allegiance.
I think we all agree that peaceful protest is part of freedom of speech that we all enjoy
However when peaceful protest turns into an occupation where “protesters” thumb their nose at the law then something has to be done
I heard a number of retired police chiefs defend the emergency measures act as facilitating outside police forces to join local forces without the need to swear them all individually
For this reason I supported the implementation of this act to move the “protesters”
In view of the conservative leader contest this was a perfect time for Scott to separate himself from the terrible way the conservatives supported the blockade
Instead he voted along party lines opposing the use of the act
In addition he voted party lines to carry on with the inequitable MP representation allowing Quebec to have more MPs than their population deserved
He missed two great opportunities to prove that he represented his constituents more than his party
I won’t vote liberal or ndp but I may find it difficult to vote conservative
In my view anyone who supported the emergency act is not much of a Canadian and sure does not believe in freedom and likely would like to see the Charter of rights and freedoms scrapped so govt could do anything they liked even freeze your bank account just because you said something they did not like or maybe arrest you and throw you in jail just for the fun of it.
In a ‘dark horse’ Doppler comment, David Harrison set out the rather idyllic criteria for a Conservative leader. Such a person, ‘ticking all those boxes’, I’ll follow to the gates of hell; hoping the place has been given a bum rap; no matter what flag he flies. Would be Liberal leaders would shudder at the ‘small, fiscally responsible, no debt’ portion of the qualification, but if the vote seeker can choke it down, I’m in. I’ve always been a conservative (small c ) though I haven’t always voted for the party. Ontario today is a case in point. I’m not a Trudeau trooper either. But I will vote.
The full, unequivocal truth is important for me, and a statement like ‘I think Mr. O’toole worked hard for the party’ was better left unsaid. You think!! That is a bland and nothing comment. I suppose we all work hard at what we do.
My question would be “Did you support and vote for him?” Not that I need to know now, but it would have been enlightening then.
But whose ego wouldn’t be jigged a bit, having a P.M. from our town? Aman who has grown up among us and is of us.
Good for you Scott Aitcheson: for you to feel you can be that man and ride that ‘do what you want to do and be what you want to be’ attitude; although I think there are a lot of qualifiers and not-with-standings that come into play there.
But if the effort is just to glean a few votes and cast in with a front runner, in the hope of a better job? That may be politics, but I won’t be impressed. Too many of David Harrison’s qualities will have only been struck a glancing blow.
But good luck to you Scott. Make it so that I can actually support the party. I’m only one vote, but hell, it’s a start!
When it comes time to vote for a new leader I shall not support you! Anyone who did not support the Emergencies Act does not deserve support
Thank you Scott for reinforcing my belief and hope that you will run for the leadership of the conservative party and become the next prime minister of this once great country we call Canada. I have always been proud of this country until the last few weeks when I watched with horror the police use of force on the people for no reason other than they were in someone’s way. And the Liberal Govt did not like to be pushed or listen to the people in their view they were all racist idiots that knew nothing and had to be punished. But that is all another story I guess. I heard the speech you gave at the debate over the emergency act and it made me proud to say that is our M.P speaking up and about the only one that made much sense. Keep up the good work and maybe your message will make a difference down there in parliament.
Bravo for your courage M. Aitchison.I hope you find other Conservative voices to join with, along with non partisan politicians to work together on our needs for truly affordable housing, climate change adaptation with truth and reconciliation as foundation.
Hi Scott, the question for me is in the political party you represent as well and, where it is heading federally and provincially. In political landscape as we have seen, the party moves forward by consensus in platform and action. Best image = united front; worst image = clapping seals.
Consideration for the person who represents a district is fine. But it is party and platform that set the agenda that affect Canadians and Ontarians.
Party awareness of today’s issues and concerns, one who can read social issues progressively is key.
The basics of party platform is fine – but the need to change and nuance in immediate and long-term planning is a layer above the regular party rhetoric. That requires a party with talented, well-informed MPs who can build or change direction as needed to pilot the country.