Commentary

June 22, 2010

by: Ross Kentner

Boy of boy, this has sure been the year to beat up on our MPs. We kicked up an awful fuss when Parliament prorogued back in the winter. It was all the Prime Minister’s doing but we still had a "mad on" for our representatives because they weren’t on the job, at least, not in Ottawa. Then we raised a hew and cry when they resisted attempts by Auditor General Sheila Fraser to check over their expense accounts. And when haven’t we complained about the party propaganda that passes as a newsletter?

I know we would all like to see MPs turn a new leaf by buckling down and getting to work on the real problems…forget the Question Period shouting match! But let’s be honest. Who do we run to when we need a new passport or when we have a problem with Employment Insurance, Canada Pension or Old Age Security? As a broadcaster, I have often relied on our MPs for advice and support in dealing with government.

I can also tell you from my years of experience that neither you nor I would be willing to make the personal sacrifices that a majority of Members of Parliament do by participating in a never-ending stream of public and private events in their ridings.

So I’m going to step out on a maple tree limb to endorse the "Proud to be Canadian Campaign" outlined in your MPs newsletter, assuming your MP is a Conservative. There’s a flag for you to cut out for your door or window and a reply form with the espoused purpose of finding Canada’s most patriotic riding. As we show our pride, we’re encouraged to indicate if our local member is on the right track, which political party best represents our views and a few more personal tidbits. Well, they’re politicians aren’t they?

You don’t have to answer those questions to get counted, and that’s something I don’t see a lot of harm in.

We Canadians are certainly a unique breed. We love our country but we’re a bit short of flag wavers. We’re passionate about democracy but most of us avoid politics. With Canada Day just around the corner, let’s put these flags up and let our MPs count us in. Being Canada’s most patriotic riding wouldn’t be bad publicity at all.

Commentary, with Ross Kentner, can be heard on 560 CFOS Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7:08 am and 5:08 pm