A couple of the area’s rookie MPs say there’s been a lot going on behind the scenes, as they get set to start work in Ottawa.
The NDP’s Shiela Malcolmson of Nanaimo-Ladysmith is still waiting to be sworn in, but in the meantime she’s been talking strategy with the other Island NDP MPs.
“We are going to be spending some time, the six of us, over the few weeks to map out a bit of a strategic plan,” she says. “Identify how we can work well together, and make sure we’ve got critic areas within our Island.”
Malcolmson says issues at the top of the list are the economy, the environment, electoral reform, and supporting local governments on infrastructure needs.
Pam Goldsmith Jones is the new Liberal member for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky. She says the province’s Liberal MPs are hoping to get together this week. “15 of the 17 of us (have been together) in the new MP orientation,” she says. “And then we’ve been in our first caucus meeting… we have a great opportunity to have a strong voice from BC – no doubt.”
She says at the top of her list are working on equality in federal support for BC Ferries, and re-opening Coast Guard facilities closed by the previous government.
Malcolmson, Goldsmith Jones and the other MPs will take their seats in the Commons on December 3rd.
