There comes a time... Some of you have asked why enter the arena of elective politics, not just activist politics, at this time. What are the ideas, not just identities, that are so important. The following is my answer. My record is public and known to you all. I have been on the front lines – in the media, in the streets and in the legislatures - on every issue of import so that we not only survive but thrive as a community. From language laws to Israel; from protecting individual rights from state abuse to reforming revenue and consumer legislation; from feeding the hungry to protecting our seniors to fighting racism. And it has been effective. But I have never forgotten - nor will I - that I come from you, and your concerns will always be my concerns. We have created a new advocacy combining media and social activism. A new paradigm. My work has been recognized with the Queen’s medal for community service, a Parliamentary certificate of recognition for contributions to Canadian democracy and a Martin Luther King, Jr. award for promoting human dignity. And more regional, national and North American journalism awards than I can count. Perhaps the most satisfying one recognized that advocacy journalism truly represents the fourth estate of government when The Suburban became the first Canadian weekly to win the SNA North American award for community service. So you may rightly ask why seek elective office? The reason is that this may be the most important election in recent history. Great issues have never been in more stark relief, nor the outcome of the vote more dramatic for all our futures. This race is not merely about opposing any man, but about supporting and assuring the continuity of policies vital to our communities. It is more than just about a victory of party, it is about a victory of principle. And we can make history here in Mount Royal, because our victory will be a clarion call for those principles that will resonate across the nation precisely because it came from Mount Royal. But we can only do this together. The primary duty of Members of Parliament is to be effective advocates for their constituents. To assure that their voices and visions are not stilled or neglected. To marshal resolve and reason; eloquence and conscience, so that our government makes our concerns at the grassroots, its concerns in the corridors of power. Never have we had a better ally than Prime Minister Stephen Harper to assure that partnership. There comes a time in the public life of a people and a nation where the most ardent activists must take their purpose and their passion inside the halls of government. The challenges are simply too critical and the consequences may be too dire. On one side, we have a Prime Minister who has set forth a bold and courageous path for Canada in the world. That this nation stands, unhesitatingly and unequivocally, with the family of free nations fighting an existential challenge to our very civilization. On the other, we have opposition parties and leaders who mouth platitudes that we should understand terrorists not only condemn them and too often choose the dangerous paths of moral relativism and political equivalency. Stephen Harper understands that multiculturalism is a compassionate element of the process by which our political principles and policies are carried out, but speaks clearly and candidly that Canada at home will remain loyal to the values of western pluralism. On the other, his opposition insists on compromising those very principles, policies and values by bending their universality to the particular demands of any group that will give them their suffrage. This Prime Minister has begun the undoing of that body of interventionist rule and regulation that has become suffocating to our individual lives. His opposition still insists that state engineering of each and every life of each and every citizen is legitimate fodder for bureaucratic control simply because they can prey on our fears and make it seem politically correct. Stephen Harper’s approach to Canada, and all provinces within it, is inclusive, despite what picture some in the media may choose to paint. He has been singularly attentive to Quebec, without capitulating to unreasonable demands that infringe on civil rights of Canadians. On the other hand, one opposition leader has suggested that “Quebecers make the best leaders,” and that he could embrace separatism rather than a Canada dominated by “Harperites” while the other would agree to Bill 101 applying to federal institutions in Quebec. This administration has recognized that working men and women need relief from the ever-growing taxes that rose for decades to support statist bureaucracy and has cut $30 billion in taxes to the middle class over the past five years, achieved a surplus in our national budget with another tax cut to accompany it, signed historic free-trade agreements with democratic allies India, Israel and the EU and made the stewardship of Canada’s economy the envy of the west through the financial crisis and beyond. The opposition speaks of respecting China’s “efficiency,” claims that too much attention is paid to balancing budgets because “budgets balance themselves” and would return to tax and spend policies wiping out the relief we have just begun to enjoy putting in jeopardy not only our economic recovery, but the ability of most to have any disposable income to meet our greatest domestic crisis. That crisis is the care of our seniors who, in a few years, will account for a third of our population. We in this riding have the greatest percentage of seniors – and particularly seniors in the non-francophone communities who are alone because their children, friends or family have left - than almost any riding in the country. There is a caregiver crisis that is here and growing, and without stable economic leadership in Ottawa we will not have the financial means to cope. Power is not an arena for dress rehearsals and learning curves. Lives of real people are involved. We in Mount Royal need the best advocate for them. But no one can do it alone. I ask not only for your support, but for your continuing engagement with me as we strengthen our communities that we love and afford them the protection and dignity they deserve. You know I will not flinch from challenge. This Prime Minister has charted historic changes to this land we love. He must be allowed to continue. And we as Montrealers need to have a seat at the table with him. I pledge to you that as your Member of Parliament I will always make this sacred position of trust the staff of the just and the shield of the innocent.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 21:05:58 +0000
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