Queen's Park

What does an MPP do?

Every MPP performs three main roles

1. Serving his or her constituency

• represents their views and helping them deal with the vast bureaucracy of government
• meets with constituents and attends local events
• For more information check out my “Constituency Office” page

2. Working as a lawmaker at Queen’s Park

• holds the government to account through questions in Question Period
• debates legislation in the house and committees
• introduces private member’s bills and resolutions to promote policy ideas and effect change
• presents petitions from constituents on important issues

3. Promoting his or her party and its ideas

• This is the political role of the MPP
• promoting a political party, fundraising and campaigning
• this job has to be kept separate from the those functions paid for by the taxpayer
• For more information, just google your favourite political party!

Two specific roles I hold at Queen’s Park:

Chair of Government Agencies Committee

Since 2006, I have served as Chair of this important committee. Most of the other committees are chaired by a member of the governing party, but an opposition member chairs Government Agencies since it hold the government to account. Its chief roles are to review intended appointments – men and women the government wants to appoint to agencies, boards and commissions, and to conduct agency reviews – ensuring the taxpayer is receiving value for money from government agencies such as Hydro 1. When I am in the chair I must remain impartial, ensuring all voices are heard and that the committee operated effectively.

To find out more about the committee and its work:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/committee-proceedings/committees_detail.do?locale=en&ID=142

PC Critic for Culture and Children and Youth Services

Each opposition party appoints critics who shadow particular government ministers. Critics lead the opposition response in debate to bills within their portfolios. As critic for Culture and Children and Youth Services I follow the important issues in the media, meet with stakeholders and citizens who have concerns or suggestions about these ministries and their work. Frequently, I question the government in the house on these issues. Critics also help prepare policy suggestions for their parties, as I did before the last election as our party prepared its ideas for Culture. MPPs as critics work with Ontarians from across the province to ensure that no issue of importance is missed.