IN TOUCH WITH MP EARL DREESHEN

June 14, 2016

Summer is fast approaching with students getting ready for a vacation from classrooms and families looking forward to spending more time together. In Parliament, we are also looking towards summer as the session is only a few weeks from wrapping up.

National Anthem

A Private Member’s Bill to change the English version of the National Anthem was in the news last week. The intent of the Bill was to remove a perceived gender inequality by replacing the phrase “In all thy sons command” to “In all of us command.” 

In 2010, our Conservative Government asked Canadians if they wanted us to change the lyrics to ‘Oh Canada.’ We were told by approximately 86% of respondents to leave it as is. When this Private Member’s Bill was introduced, my office received a fair amount of correspondence and that correspondence has overwhelming suggested that the anthem is an important part of our heritage and thus should not be altered in this way.

Adding to the concern is the fact that the Bill was rushed through committee without the appropriate input from Canadians at the committee stage.

I have always intended to vote against this Bill – and based on the feedback I have heard from the riding, I believe that is what will be most representative for Red Deer – Mountain View.

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

I have been asked to attend the Annual Session for the OSCE as a delegate of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association. It is a great honour to join colleagues from across the world to discuss some of the most important issues facing our society, safety and security.

The priorities for this conference will build on some of my previous work with ParlAmericas and at the Asian Pacific Parliamentary Forum in which I have dealt with issues regarding safety and global security over the past few years. 

Unfortunately, this also means that I will not be able to join the communities in Red Deer – Mountain View in celebrating Canada Day for the first time since being elected. I would like to offer my best wishes for the celebrations all across the constituency and look forward to taking part in other festivals and celebrations throughout the summer.

Mobile Office Update

The next mobile office will be on June 15^th at the Penhold Library and July 6^th at the Bowden Municipal Office. Both sessions will be open from 10-2. Please feel free to bring any questions, comments or concerns forward.

Sincerely your Member of Parliament,

Earl Dreeshen