I’m writing to you in response to Bruce Kay’s letter to the editor, “Derelict boat bill just lip service,” July 2. Mr. Kay expressed skepticism about MP John Weston’s decisions to submit a private member’s bill late in the Parliament sessions.
Contrary Mr. Kay’s assertions, Mr. Weston is one of the most productive legislators in the House of Commons.
Your readers might be interested to know that tabling a private member’s bill requires – as in this case – extensive research, meetings with stakeholders, engaging with officials at all three levels of government, working with Canada’s federal minister of transport and her staff, coordinating with the legislative clerks at the House of Commons, ensuring the accuracy of the French translation, and tabling the bill in Parliament.
In terms of the abandoned vessel bill tabled by Mr. Weston in June 2015, tabling the bill is only the first stage of the story. It is, however, a major step forward, laying the groundwork for town halls and other meetings he is planning throughout this riding during the next three months. The proposed bill would, for the first time, impose criminal liability (jail time for up to one year and fines up to $100,000) on those who dump their vessels – knowing that they are hurting our environment and industry.
Tabling this derelict vessel bill is consistent with MP Weston’s overall productivity as a legislator and his belief that MPs have an important and vital role independent of the executive. He worked with MP Michael Chong on his own private member’s bill, the Reform Act, and successfully passed two private member’s bills: one to combat the increase of crystal meth and ecstasy, and the other, with Senator Nancy Greene Raine, to promote healthy physical activity for all Canadians.
MP Weston has displayed determinism in bringing the needs of his constituents to Parliament in private member’s legislation, and he has outpaced all members of the House in this regard. Our Member of Parliament doesn’t just “pay lip service.” John Weston puts his money where his mouth is.
Ralph Forsyth
Whistler
