While the Legislative Assembly of Ontario adjourned for summer recess in June, the work of provincial representatives continues at Queen’s Park and in local ridings across the province in many different ways.
Legislative committees continue to sit to consider proposed bills and caucus members continue to meet to discuss legislative plans for the fall session when the Legislature Assembly will formally reconvene.
Intergovernmental conferences with federal and municipal partners continue throughout the summer with events such as Federal-Provincial-Territorial Tables, as well as the Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, providing important opportunities for elected representatives to collaborate with local communities. Legislators also remain active advocating with cabinet ministers and various branches of government for local projects and concerns. However, one of the most important functions of the summer recess is what is known as “the barbecue circuit” and hearing from local constituents and members of the community on the ground about what they need to see addressed.
It is important for provincial legislators to consistently engage with their constituents, the people they have been elected to represent — to hear ideas and concerns directly from those they serve and bring those ideas and voices back to Queen’s Park. This helps MPPs keep in touch with the local needs of their constituencies. As I have often said, MPPs must bring the voice of their local communities to Queen’s Park, not the voice of Queen’s Park to their local communities.
This summer I have been active as your local elected representative attending a number of events across Niagara West, including Annual General Meetings of not-for-profit organizations, business association meetings, service club events and municipal forums. These events serve as valuable opportunities for me to hear directly from the people who are impacted by the result of provincial decisions and inform my advocacy and input on legislation that comes before the Legislative Assembly. Putting it bluntly, hearing directly from the people helps me know what to fight for, whether its our economy, healthcare system or education.
Although I am always open to setting up meetings in my constituency office to discuss specific issues that need to be addressed or to provide support and assistance in accessing provincial services or grants, I believe there is a unique value to the spontaneity of informal interactions while travelling throughout the riding.
Often, I will run into someone at a community event who will tell me that they had been planning on setting up a time to meet to discuss something important to them or their family but did not have time to schedule an appointment. However, because they saw me at a local event, they were able to bring the issue directly to my attention. This is a great way of hearing about what is going on in the riding.
Staying in touch with my constituents around the barbecue circuit is important for improving accessibility and accountability and ensuring that the issues I am raising in the Legislative Assembly are not just my own opinions or perspectives, but reflective of the needs and concerns of the people I have been elected to advocate for.
This Saturday, August 5, from 12-2 PM at Cherry Avenue Farms in Vineland, I will be hosting my annual summer barbecue with Dean Allison, our local Member of Parliament for Niagara West. You are more than welcome to attend the barbecue, enjoy a complimentary bite to eat and directly connect with me about what might be on your mind!
