Federal Accountability Act

NDP MP Peter Julian just now stood on the floor of the House of Commons and rightly criticized the government for ignoring electoral accountability in its accountability act, bill C-2, citing Vancouver—Kingsway’s legitimate grievance with David Emerson.

Its a simple issue. A member in the House sitting on the government side can’t stand up and say one thing and then the very next day immediately do the opposite without being rightly blasted out of his position.

That’s what Emerson has done. Emerson ran his election campaign on the back of one set of policies and positions, but shouldn’t be permitted to remain in the House now that he’s decided to vote against those polices including Child Care, Kyoto, Missile Defense and other areas where there are legitimate and profound differences between Conservative and Liberal positions.

My riding didn’t vote for those policies – quite the contrary – and Emerson owes his constituents the opportunity to tell him, via a by-election vote, if they approve or not.