While various fans and critics of the proposed softwood lumber deal with the U.S. continue to dog it out, one industry group has seen fit to honour David Emerson as “Lumberman of the Year” at their annual roast, despite him having left the lumber business years ago.
No doubt an image consultant or spin doctor thought it would be a good idea to boost Emerson’s image.
The people of Emerson’s riding have another idea. A twin-roast will take place just outside the industry’s celebrations at the haughty Vancouver Club. June 8th – plan to be there!
Last week on CBC‘s Almanac show the former MP John Reynolds made a brief appearance, the day after he was lauded for his political career.
When asked about the Emerson controversy Reynolds dismissed continued protests as the work of just a handful of angry people, and, using the black-tie and tiara crowd who attended his dinner the night before as evidence, said that everyone else is behind Emerson. The Almanac host let Reynolds get away with this crass dismissal of reality.
Over the weekend in the neighbouring riding of Vancouver South we watched one of our sons perform with his class at the South Hill Festival. Like last year I ran into MP Ujjal Dosanjh, and cornered him on an issue.
Last year Dosanjh was in the news for his role in the distasteful Gurmant Grewal affair, where the former Conservative MP made an abortive attempt to defect to the Liberals (with a hidden tape recorder running all the while). No one, least of all Grewal, came out of that smelling nice.
This year I rather thought Dosanjh might redeem himself with voters and support legislation which would prohibit floor-crossing such as what Emerson has subjected voters to. His answer? No.
Dosanjh is leaning on the lame argument that a floor crossing bill would only result in giving party leaders even more power. This is nonsense. Any reasonable legislation can deal with this, and no leader is going to risk public outrage by forcing members out of caucus willy nilly.
MP’s ought to be accountable to their constituents first. They work for us, not for party leaders or prime ministers.
Why do only a handful of Liberal and Conservative MP’s appear to get this?