Promotion

January 26, 2005

Last July it was with conflicting emotions and a sense of loss that I accepted the promotion to Official Opposition Whip. This return to a stressful, time-consuming and tremendously demanding position that I had loved twice before when privileged by leaders to be offered it, was a bit melancholy because I was leaving the best assignment I had been given since being elected in 1993.

The year I spent as Official Opposition Senior Critic for National Defence was a profound honour because of the deep feelings I have for the men and women who voluntarily put on a uniform to defend our country. Although I’ve never served myself, the proud history and heritage of our nation’s military has been a life-long passion for as long as I can remember.

So with the exception of the Conservative Party being elected government and personally being sworn in as cabinet minister responsible for National Defence, to have been granted the privilege of speaking daily in defence of Canada’s armed forces was a very special assignment indeed.

However, there was no comparable sense of loss on Monday as I graciously accepted the promotion from Whip to Official Opposition House Leader. That’s not to say that being elevated to the senior parliamentary post did not elicit mixed emotions.

Pride that Stephen Harper would entrust me with such a major responsibility, especially during the present minority government situation. Humility that a farm boy from northeast BC could rise to such a lofty perch. And trepidation that so much now depends upon my abilities and experience no matter how inadequate they may seem to me.

Yet, above all else, I am eagerly anticipating the challenge of serving in this capacity, especially during the present minority government situation when daily negotiations and honest communication between the parties is central to the survival of this Parliament. This is the central role of House Leader and so much will depend upon the relationships that are forged between myself, Tony Valeri, the Government House Leader, and the House Leaders of the Bloc Quebecois and the New Democratic Party.

I have big shoes to fill in replacing John Reynolds who will be chairing the Conservative Party campaign in the next election… whenever that will be.

Despite Prime Minister Paul Martin’s recent musing, I don’t believe Canadians want a federal election right now, whether it’s primarily based upon same-sex marriage or any other issue. That’s why I fervently believe that it’s not just the responsibility of the party leaders and the caucus officers, but incumbent upon all MPs from all parties to strive to make this Parliament work for the benefit of all Canadians.

This promotion is the latest confirmation of my late father’s credo that he never failed to impress upon me at every opportunity … “a job worth doing, is worth doing right.” That is the guiding principle I’ve continued to follow since first being elected as your MP and that is the work ethic I take to parliament every day on your behalf.

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