I am disappointed that our Liberal government has decided not to support Bill S-217, the reincarnation of Brent Rathgeber’s Wynn’s Law. I’m equally disappointed that our MP appears to be putting partisan politics ahead of a need to work with Liberals and the more supportive NDP, to address concerns about the potential impact on the bail process that this law might have.
I want to know how St. Albert-Edmonton MP Michael Cooper expects to be able to work with and gain support from hesitant Liberals and NDP representatives on any initiative when he has degraded their efforts and concerns about a myriad of issues from the time of his election.
There is still time to work respectfully to get this important legislation passed, and it is foolhardy to think that the Conservatives can’t gain perspective or make this bill more effective by collaboration with non-Conservatives.
Michael:
On October third, I responded to your Facebook post that asked people to “like and share” a juvenile meme. The question I posed, and the comments I made, stand: Can you please start being positive about something, or at least informative? I want to keep following you because you are my representative in Ottawa, but the negative rhetoric is exhausting. “Liking” a meme is not helpful, and neither is huffing and puffing. Talking calmly and respectfully about the proposal, and options, and your recommendation is what I expect from my leaders. I'm a fiscal conservative, but that doesn't mean I don't value different perspectives; I expect you to be open-minded and respectful, too.
I can’t find any comments where you’ve praised the work of non-Conservatives, or shown overt respect for non-Conservative initiatives. Where have you shown even cautious optimism for leadership that values industry?
Nonpartisan politics starts with you. Rather than criticizing a party, I ask that you are critical of policy, no matter if it is Liberal, Conservative, NPD, or independent. I also ask that you put your partisan pride aside and give credit where credit is due; the respect you will gain, and the relationships that you will be able to build when partisan politics are left behind will benefit your constituents, and all Canadians.
Catchy negative statements do not help our shared cause, and I suspect that they hinder your effectiveness in Ottawa. Please reconsider making these types of statements, as they do nothing to advance the discussion:
“I am extremely disappointed that the Liberal government…”
“Don't be fooled by the Liberals…”
“Hopefully the treats tonight are better than Trudeau's Carbon Tricks.”
“I recently spoke in the house about the new $38 Billion Liberal tax-grab…”
You’ve shown that you’re able to put aside politics, like when you said that you “participated in the Canadian Study of Parliament Group panel” to discuss your experience as the Co-Vice Chair of the Special Committee on Physician Assisted Dying, and that you “appreciated the thoughtful discussion.”
Comments like the one about assisted dying demonstrate that you are able to put aside partisanship, which gives me hope that you are capable of being a leader in the charge against blind politics. Please consider always using language that shows respect, even in the face of fierce debate and disagreement, and get Bill S-217 passed.
Natalie Joly-Mikus, St. Albert
