Make government work for you
As the Member of Provincial Parliament for Parry Sound Muskoka, I am committed to addressing the interests and concerns of my constituents. During my time in office,
I have dealt with a number of issues including: the backlog and delays of processing birth certificates; concerns with various government programs such as Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works, the Family Responsibility Office; complaints regarding rising hydro rates; insurance issues and property assessments.
Voicing concerns
Most notably, my constituents have continued to voice their concerns regarding a number of important health care issues: doctor shortages, delisting of chiropractic services; and the inaccessibility of the Northern health Travel Grant program for many Muskoka patients who are now ineligible for re-imbursement of travel expenses to specialists in urban centres.
These are only a few of the issues that I deal with on a continual basis; this is the role of a Member of Provincial Parliament.
There are also instances where constituents call or write to raise concerns about issues that are municipal in nature. Occasionally community residents are dissatisfied with the decisions made by municipal councils on matters such as capital expenditures, waterfront projects, by-laws or other municipal projects.
Limited opportunities
I appreciate hearing these concerns. However, as a provincial representative there are limited opportunities for me to assist with municipal concerns.
Municipal councils are duly elected for a finite term.
They are accountable to you for their decisions and actions. This is the foundation of our democracy.
No policing
While there is no policing authority that oversees councils; allegations of criminal activity are subject to investigation by police.
Over the past months I have heard many times from constituents who are unhappy with provincial decisions to enact a health tax and the delisting of chiropractic and optometrist services from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.
Constituents have asked if there is anyway to throw out the government. For better or worse this is not possible. Through the democratic process of elections voters can change their elected representatives and they frequently do.
The best way to affect decisions made by governments, whether federal, provincial or municipal is to communicate concerns in writing to the elected representative at the appropriate level.
There is strength in numbers so I encourage like-minded residents to communicate their concerns.
Elected representatives are supposed to act on behalf of the needs of their constituents and constituents must take the initiative to express their views.
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