North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney would like the status quo to be maintained by the federal government and for no early election to be called.
Blaney, in an interview with the Peak following the summer recess of parliament, said minority governments, although challenging, are a little more fair.
“There have definitely been some moments we’ve been able to push and negotiate with the government because of the minority situation and have actually been able to get things delivered for people who really reflect the needs I’m hearing in the riding; I’ve been really grateful for that,” said Blaney. “Some of the things include making sure we extend some of the programs that needed to be extended, especially for small businesses. There was definitely some give and take.”
Blaney said one of the major challenges is the constant threat of a federal election, which she does not want.
“You’re put in these hard positions where you really want to fight for something and the government isn’t bending,” said Blaney. “Do you vote against, call an election and have people get nothing during that time? That’s what it felt like, especially with one of the last bills we voted on, which was the budget implementation legislation. There were a few things I had concerns about. We remedied a few but not all.
“That’s always the hard part. One of the things that concerned me was the programs for small businesses only extend until September and that leaves some of the businesses in our riding in a precarious spot, especially tourism-based businesses.”
Blaney said she keeps saying, and has been saying since the pandemic started, that the government needs to stabilize facets of the economy, because if they are not there when the pandemic is over, then how is rebuilding undertaken?
“It’s been some hard decisions a few times,” said Blaney. “Different parties have supported the government in different times and so it’s about working those relationships. It’s too bad we’re hearing a lot of push that there’s going to be an election in the fall. Sometimes, Canadians just want us to do our work, even if it’s a bit harder when it’s a minority. I think it’s worthwhile. I find the prospect of an election a little bit frustrating.”
Blaney said looking at recent provincial elections across Canada, every single one either built a bigger majority or took a minority and made it a majority.
“The polling is high for the Liberals,” said Blaney. “It’s not in the majority territory but it’s close. It’s for political issues rather than what it should be, which is serving people.”
Riding matters
In terms of issues in her riding, Blaney has been working recently on fisheries and oceans matters.
“That’s always the big one in this riding,” said Blaney. “There’s a lot of concern about the management of our ocean.”
She said her office worked closely with prawn fishers in terms of being able to freeze their catch at sea.
“It’s that whole part of making sure food is local,” said Blaney.
She has also been working on fish farm issues and the uncertainty facing people in that industry. Blaney said she has been a supporter of moving toward more sustainable aquaculture and closed containment.
“Unfortunately, what we are seeing right now is a lot of uncertainty,” said Blaney. “Decisions have to be made, but we also need to know the plan. For me, that clarity, especially for workers, is absolutely key.”
Blaney continues to push for the government’s plan on aquaculture, which was scheduled for spring, to be released. She said aquaculture is a divisive issue and there are a lot of different perspectives, but the government has pledged to move toward more sustainable aquaculture and what that looks like really matters.
Blaney is also the NDP’s spokesperson for veterans affairs and said she spends a lot of time talking to veterans all over Canada.
“What I know is there are some major concerns,” said Blaney. “A lot of people are still on the wait-list for their disability pensions, so veterans and their families are really struggling.”
National issue
In the latter stages of the parliamentary session, Canada’s residential schools became a significant national issue.
“We’ve heard a lot from indigenous communities and leaders trying to identify what schools their communities went to, and trying to work with the other communities to find ways to do the searching for bodies,” said Blaney. “It’s been a heartbreaking time. People are really hurting.
“We’ve also heard from a lot of non-Indigenous people who have called our office and been appalled. They knew there were schools but didn’t understand the extent of the violence and abuse and they are really struggling to wrap their heads around this Canada they now belong to, where they had a vision of what Canada was. It’s a very challenging time. I know people who are survivors are really struggling with this.”
Blaney said she thinks this is going to be an extremely painful time.
She said she was adopted when she was four into an Indigenous family and didn’t find out until she was in university that her grandmother had gone to residential school.
“She’d been there in my life but nobody told me about that,” said Blaney. “What’s hard now is people who have been silent are feeling like their voices are being unlocked and it’s very painful for everyone.
“I’ll continue to work on this. I do believe this is genocide and I really do believe that Canada needs to own that. It’s a painful thing to own but it’s absolutely imperative that we recognize that.”
In terms of her time away from the parliamentary session this summer, Blaney spent a couple of days in Powell River, meeting with constituents in a careful manner, hearing from stakeholder groups, going to a couple of schools and being a flag person during the “amazing graduation parade” that was held through city streets.
“I’m hoping to get out into the communities,” said Blaney. “We want to respect the rules as they unfold. I’m looking forward to touching base with people.”
