Lethbridge’s 'Man Who Wasn’t There' heads to Ottawa as Tory MP

[Oleg Bach]

Ask your right wing friend betsy...she's a frequent abuser.

I've seen more of it from the Harper Conservatives and to a lesser degree, the Liberals.

Ah so they must not be allowed to bring a fresh ideas into the old boys club...democracy be dammed..they must be silenced at all costs.

The Taliban would likely agree with you on this.

So basically what you're saying is you support welfare for MP's?

What else can you call it. By the time these young newbees and ameteurs figure out the sytem their tenure will be over. We hand over big bucks to senators who are usually old corporate heads and figure heads. Why not give a few hundred thousand to some assistant bar manager? Or a student with a loan hanging over their head...besides - the rich get bail outs - think of this as a lottery bail out for a few select young. Why not? We give Pakistan money for harbouring terrorists and training them - to kill our young people in military service. May as well take care of our own...Besides do the "experienced" parlimentarians make a difference? When they get lost in their thoughts and don't have a clue how to proceed they parogue parliment.. One thing though...I suggest that the newbess cancel their face book accounts.

[capricorn]

All MP's should be required to speak both languages if they which to serve this country.

You are aware that Canada has 2 official languages aren't you or is Alberta's bigotry that deep that you feel having an MP capable of speaking both languages shouldn't apply to it..

You really should educate yourself on language issues. A good start would be reading the Official Languages Act.

22. Every federal institution has the duty to ensure that any member of the public can communicate with and obtain available services from its head or central office in either official language, and has the same duty with respect to any of its other offices or facilities

a....

b. in Canada or elsewhere, where there is significant demand for communications with and services from that office or facility in that language.

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/O-3.01/page-8.html#h-7

In its 2010 municipal census, the City of Lethbridge reported a population of 86,659

---

According to the 2006 census, more than 85 percent of residents spoke English as a first language. More than 4 percent spoke German, well over 2 percent spoke Dutch and almost 1 percent each spoke French, Chinese, and Spanish as their first language.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethbridge#Demographics

A French population of less than one percent of 86,659 does not translate into significant demand. No significant demand = no legislated requirement for federal services in French. Logically, the same test applies for services from a Member of Parliament.

[Oleg Bach]

My sister in law has been a French teacher for 20 years and can not speak French. The language issue should be put aside forever! Nothing more stupid than a politican speaking French to a crowd of Anglos and Asians in Vancouver. What the heck is this all about? It's like forcing an Eskimo to take a course on how to treat heat exhaution.

[Evening Star]

For this reason, I believe the objection to PR on the grounds that there's no local representative does not work. There is very little, if any local representation now anyway.

What if I have reservations with both systems for this reason?

[noahbody]

And I'm betting she can speak a great deal more French than the Conservative pizza boy from Alberta.

If you'd take 20 seconds to google "Jim Hillyer" you'd find out he does speak French. If you want to argue the green NDP candidates are more qualified than Hillyer, good luck.

Born and raised here in Southern Alberta, Jim Hillyer is a family man, with a wife and four children. He is also active in the community, volunteering with Minor Hockey, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and as a leader with Scouts Canada. He sang with the University Singers and played violin in the Lethbridge Symphony. Having overcome aggressive leukemia himself, he was also a spokesman for the Canadian Cancer Society. He speaks French and has lived and worked in all but the Maritime Provinces in Canada.

Jim Hillyer is an educator, business consultant and personal advisor. As a consultant he has held many upper management positions with different companies, giving him experience in diverse fields – including sales and recruiting, health and wellness, public relations, education, and financial services. He is a published author and an inspiring speaker. He has a BA in Philosophy, an MA in Political Economy, and has completed advanced PhD studies in Constitutional Law.

[Evening Star]

Have you looked at the qualifications of the new NDP MPs from QC, aside from the handful that the media likes to pick on?

[jbg]

Have you looked at the qualifications of the new NDP MPs from QC, aside from the handful that the media likes to pick on?

Do tell. How many would you want as your MP?

[Evening Star]

Do tell. How many would you want as your MP?

Punked linked this elsewhere: http://www.canada.com/technology/know+your+edition/4747908/story.html

I'd be proud to have many of those as my MP.

[jacee]

I thought the Quebec NDP 19 year old student conducted himself well in the interview. So did Vegas lady. Both did better than Thomas Mulcair.

What are the odds that Alberta Con pizza man might be allowed to speak to his constituents sometime?

[cybercoma]

All MP's should be required to speak both languages if they which to serve this country.

I disagree. Our country has TWO official languages, that is to say each language individually is an official language. Canada is not officially bilingual, so I don't think it ought to be a requirement that the MPs are.