In my relatively brief time both as a city councillor and a member of Parliament, I have come to greatly appreciate the diversity of opinion on many important issues. It is part of the democratic process that citizens at times will agree to disagree on certain issues.
I welcome the views of citizens like Mr. Bruce Turnbull, however, what Mr. Turnbull may not realize is that there are other citizens who do not share his views on certain topics. Perhaps Mr. Turnbull believes that his views alone should govern how an elected official votes in government, but I must respectfully disagree. While such thinking may appease Mr. Turnbull’s political leanings, it would unquestionably be unfair to those citizens who share a different perspective and voted accordingly.
This is the challenge in any democratic environment, and respecting that a majority of citizens at times may support policy that we may not personally agree with can be a difficult pill for some to swallow.
From personal experience I can relate to my time on city council and proposing that mayor and councillors receive no automatic annual pay increase. Without a fellow councillor seconding my motion that year it failed, and clearly I was in the minority. Currently in my new role as a member of Parliament, I have publicly made a commitment to vote in favour of changes to the MP pension plan that are more respectful to taxpayers. Not unlike with my experience as a city councillor, not all members of Parliament agree with my position on this issue.
However, in response to the allegations from Mr. Turnbull, I can confirm that the majority of the citizens who have contacted me have made it clear that they believe changes should be made to the MP pension plan and that is why I will support these views in Ottawa. I am accountable to the citizens of Okanagan Coquihalla and that is why I have taken a clear position supporting changes to the MP pension plan precisely as a majority of citizens in this riding have stated support for.
As another example, recently I voted in favour of ending the long gun registry. Not all citizens agreed with my position on this issue, however, an overwhelming majority of citizens contacted me weekly and at times daily in support of ending the registry.
Hearing the concerns of citizens is very important to me. When I was first elected to council I made a commitment to always return your calls. It was a commitment I was pleased to honour as a city councillor and is one I will continue to stand behind as your member of Parliament.
Dan Albas
Okanagan Coquihalla MP