January 2009 - Parliamentary Report
PARLIAMENTARY REPORT
By Stephen Woodworth,
MP for Kitchener Centre
Constituency Office
Much has happened since the October 14th Federal Election.
Locally, constituent work began immediately, initially handled by converting my former law office into a temporary constituency office. After an intensive search and suitable finishing touches our permanent constituency office officially opened on December 19, 2008 at #12 -300 Victoria Street North, Kitchener.
Staff Selection
In the meantime, qualified assistants were hired. In Ottawa, my Legislative Assistant is Roberta Martin and my Executive Assistant is Patti McConville. In Kitchener, we have two Constituency Assistants full-time, George Orlowski and Jeff Warnock, and part-time assistant Mary Dentinger.
40th Parliament
Parliament opened barely a month after the election, with two main events - the Throne Speech and the Fiscal Update. I delivered a ten minute address to Parliament in reply to the Throne Speech and a twenty minute address in support of the Fiscal Update. I also had an opportunity to commemorate Restorative Justice Week in Kitchener and congratulate Mark Yantzi and Judge Gordon McConnell for their recent awards.
Prorogation
Parts of the Fiscal Update were vigorously opposed by the Opposition. Although these elements were quickly withdrawn, the Liberals and the NDP, supported by the Bloc Québécois, announced their intention to vote against the Fiscal Update and to ask the Governor General to install Stéphane Dion as Prime Minister at the head of a Coalition Government.
To permit the Conservative Government time to prepare and present a 2009 Budget in response to the global economic slowdown, Prime Minister Harper asked the Governor General to prorogue, or adjourn, Parliament. The Governor General agreed.
Some concerned citizens organized a rally on December 6, 2008 in Victoria Park to express their opposition to the Bloc supported Coalition plan to form government. I was invited to address the group, as was my colleague, Harold Albrecht.
Budget 2009
Although Parliament adjourned, the Conservative Government and all Members of Parliament continued to work - addressing constituent concerns and participating in budget consultations.
The Prime Minister has met the new Coalition leader. He will also be meeting again with Provincial and Territorial Leaders. Finance Minister Flaherty has formed a national economic advisory panel and initiated a Canada-wide consultation process.
Local MPs Harold Albrecht, Peter Braid and I had a preliminary meeting with the Finance Minister to discuss the Budget. We planned a series of consultations for early in the New Year. I arranged a public Town Hall meeting on January 5, 2009 to gather input from Kitchener Centre residents.
Next Steps
The 2009 Budget will be presented to Parliament January 27, 2009. It will then be in the hands of the Bloc supported Coalition to support or defeat it.
If the Budget is defeated by the Coalition, the Government will fall and the Governor General will again be asked to install a Coalition government. Alternatively, she might grant a request for an election.
If the Budget passes, the Government will begin presenting its legislative proposals to Parliament. Will they be permitted to pass or will ways be found to work out differences? We all hope for the latter.
Stay tuned......