By Parry-Sound Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison
It has been a busy time recently in the House of Commons. Over the last few months, your Members of Parliament have debated and discussed momentous and timely issues for our country. From the Emergencies Act, to Bill C-11, which is an Act to amend the Broadcasting Act, to debates on the many challenges facing the world right now including the ongoing heartbreaking situation in Ukraine, Parliament has been busy working for you.
In all my time in public office, I have never seen the level of public engagement and interaction as my office and I have experienced over the past number of weeks. We’ve received thousands upon thousands of phone calls, all expressing a wide range of perspectives on a multitude of issues.
I’m proud to represent our communities in Parry Sound-Muskoka. Around here, folks know that we can disagree without being disagreeable—we know that we can have a great debate about the challenges facing our country, but we can do so in a respectful and constructive way. Recently in the House of Commons, I spoke about the need for the divisive rhetoric and politically opportune platitudes to stop, and the need for fewer politicians in favour of more leaders.
You see, leaders lead by inspiring those around them to greatness. They inspire a hope that tomorrow will be brighter than today. They lift everyone up, not just those who agree with them. They seek to bring people together, to give the voiceless a voice and a seat at the table. Leaders stand up for every citizen: every Canadian, urban, rural, rich or poor, white collar, blue collar, right and left, regardless of their faith or creed and regardless of their place of origin. A leader gives every ounce of their being to ensure a legacy of prosperity and success for their fellow citizens.
As I write this message, I’m mindful of the opportunity we all share to contribute to our societal and public discourse in a real and impactful way. We all have an opportunity to roll up our sleeves and help build a better country. In the coming weeks and months, I’m looking forward to sharing my ideas for how we can continue to build our great country up. At their core will be the goal of renewing Canadian hope, optimism and pride in our country, in instilling the belief that every child from coast to coast to coast will inherit a brighter future than we ourselves received. I firmly believe that Canada’s greatest days still lie ahead, but it’s going to take some hard work from all of us to get there. I know we are indeed up for the challenge.
This is a country where a person can be anything they want to be and do anything they want to do. We can give a job to those without one; we can ensure that our next generation can afford a home; we can eradicate poverty; we can come together again; we can break down the walls that divide us and help heal this broken nation, all with an understanding heart and an undying hope in the future and belief in each other as Canadians.
For now, though, I write this note to simply thank the thousands of residents in Parry Sound-Muskoka who took the time over the last number of weeks to share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas. I want to thank you for trusting me to represent you in Parliament. And I want to ask you to keep joining the discussion, keep contributing to the debate—because your voice makes us better as representatives, your voice makes us more informed as a society, and your voice makes us stronger as a country.
(Photo of Parliament Hill by festivio on Pixabay. Photo of Scott Aitchison courtesy of Scott Aitchison.)
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Well spoken Scott. You are showing the leadership qualities I was so hopeful you would. I trust you to carry on and continue getting the message further and as clear as you do. The President of Ukraine is a fine example. Press on Leader.