Archive for November, 2005

As I write this column, it appears inevitable that we will be going into a federal election in January. Since this will probably be my last column for a little while, I thought I’d reflect on my first term. What did I learn in my first term? And what can I do better next time?

First, as an MP I can’t change the world. I can’t solve the rotten farm prices, or snap my fingers and create jobs. But I can and have helped make things better in my little corner of the world. I’ve worked with other Conservative MPs to stand up for cattle producers in the Montana courts during the BSE crisis. I helped stop regulations that were set to attack bison ranchers. I’ve straightened out problems with unemployment insurance. And I am definitely the voice of Saskatoon-Humboldt on the gun registry, crime, agriculture and getting a fair deal for Saskatchewan in regards to an energy accord.

What can I do better next time? Well, the one thing that every MP needs to do is to listen and communicate better. I need to respond faster when people contact my office –and do a better job of letting people know where I am in the riding.

I anticipate being back after the next election and plan to keep doing my best for you. I consider it a privilege to represent the people of Saskatoon-Humboldt.

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament, and I welcome your feedback. Write or call my offices.

I was watching the release of the Gomery report the other week, and I thought to myself: How does something like this start? What causes this kind of behaviour?

Well, I can’t answer for the whole system but, I can give you an example of how lobbyists try to influence people like me. (For the record, most lobbying is on the up and up, people stating what and why they support or oppose certain legislation.)

Late last week, my office got a phone call. Would Mr. Trost like to attend a NHL hockey game (Senators vs. the St. Louis Blues)? He can have a free ticket to a corporate luxury sky box, courtesy of a large corporation. They even offered to pick me up for the game.

Now, you need to understand that I’m on the House of Commons Industry Committee, and most of the legislation that affects business comes through my committee. There is nothing illegal in accepting the ticket. Being that they were under $200, I don’t even have to report the gift.

But I knew that I wasn’t getting the tickets because I’m a great sports commentator. The company wanted to influence me in their direction on key issues. So I refused them even though I would have loved to go.

Now, I know that it is not fashionable to mix religion and politics, but the Bible has a point when it says: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (Some politicians have problems with the verse that says “Thou shalt not steal”.) I just didn’t like the way it looked. It could have led to a favor being asked of me in return someday. In the end it is better to be on the safe side.

I’m not saying I’m perfect or that the other MPs who went to the game did something wrong. I’m just saying we would have a lot less corruption in Canada if everyone went the extra mile to keep the lobbying of government completely clean in both deed and appearance.

I’m Brad Trost, your MP. I welcome your comments and feedback.

One of the pleasures I had this summer was speaking at various centennial celebrations which honored Saskatchewan’s veterans.

These ceremonies always brought back the following question to me: What could I do, (not just as an MP, but as a citizen) to recognize and remember in a substantial way those Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice? After all, one can never say thank you enough to a person who gave his or her life for you.

The only answer I keep coming back to is this: In order to value the gift of freedom which our servicemen and women purchased at such a dear cost is to honour their gift by making my community, my province and my country a place worthy of their sacrifice.

Some years ago, the Government of Saskatchewan instituted a unique program to honour our fallen soldiers, sailors and aviators. Various geographical features in the north of the province (lakes, islands, eskers, etc.) were named for servicemen and women who died for the freedom we all enjoy. This was a tangible and long-lasting tribute to these brave Canadians.

Each of us can make our own personal tribute by taking a moment to acknowledge and thank the veterans that we know in each of our own communities.

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament. I welcome your feedback. Write or call my offices.