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2009.01.22 – Western News
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Sharp learning curve for rookie MP
By Paul Mayne
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Web Consortium standards, please visit our Web standards page.In
the Canadian political arena, labeled by many as being crammed with
way too much personal drama and showboating, Ed Holder would seem to
be the exception to rule.
Western alumnus and former Board of Governors member Ed Holder (BA
’76) has had an eventful few months on the job as the new MP for
London West.
Having won the riding of London West in the October federal
election, it’s been a riotous first few months on the job for the
Western graduate (BA ’76) and former Board of Governors member.
"It was right into the deep end," says Holder. “It wasn’t the
planned way to do it, but ultimately I think it’s learning by doing.
That’s what this job is about.”
In fact, Holder’s London constituency office has already experienced
its first sit-in protest.
Four local residents, including University of Western Ontario
professor David Heap, staged a sit-in last week, demanding the
Canadian government denounce the continuing conflict in Gaza. After
what has been characterized as a respectful discussion, the four
were arrested by city police for refusing to leave and escorted from
the office. They were released less than 15 minutes later.
A much more sizeable problem greeted Holder and fellow Conservatives
just six weeks into the new job.
Anger over the finance minister’s economic statement provoked
threats of a motion of non-confidence from the opposition parties.
Then followed a period of national debate when the opposition
parties formed a coalition with the purpose of unseating the
Conservatives. Almost as quickly, the Liberals named Michael
Ignatieff as their new leader. And, following a request from Prime
Minister Stephen Harper, Governor General Michaëlle Jean prorogued
parliament until January 26, when a new budget is expected to be
presented.
Holder says the spiteful back-and-forth between the parties is
“unnecessary high drama.”
“I think Canadians have been exceptionally disappointed in the
conduct of members of parliament and how things were handled from
the standpoint of the coalition and from the perceived plotting of
the opposition by the government,” he says, noting the Conservatives
plan to budget for a large, but hopefully short-lived, budget
deficit to rescue a struggling economy.
“What you’ll see on January 27 will be a very pointed budget,” adds
Holder.
“And you’re going to see probably spending upwards of $30 billion,
which is unprecedented in Canada.
"And that’s not because, in my view, we’ve been provoked, as much as
it’s been a function of the reality of what is going on in the
world.
“Now is the greatest need and with the greatest need comes the
greatest opportunity to set the conditions to help. I think it comes
down to the philosophical question and that is government’s role vs.
individual’s roles and there is a delicate balance there.
“Canada is being engaged more in the business of business than I
think you would traditionally imagine if the economy were stronger.
Fundamentally you want to get back to the business of governing.
Create the conditions for business and let government govern.”
Holder is no stranger to making a difference in his community.
Throughout his career Holder has volunteered an average of 30 hours
a week with various charities and groups. At this point he has
served on 56 different committees, roles, and functions – everything
from the Rotary Club and United Way to the Grand Theatre and
Western’s Board of Governors.
While he has pared back that time because of his new job, he is
holding three tasks close to his heart: Celebrate London - New
Year’s Eve, the Business Cares Food Drive and the Y Fore Kids golf
tournament.
“Community service is the price you pay to live somewhere,” says
Holder, who has already agreed to be part of two federal committees
- International Trade and Library of Parliament.
“It keeps you close to your community, which I think is really
important. There is a grave misconception that when Ottawa is not
sitting you are not working. At times you find yourself working
harder within your own constituency.”
Holder has also learned his new job comes with some unwanted perks.
“One of the big surprises to me is that people put you up to a
different level,” he says.
“I don’t mind the different level of accountability, but I’ve never
been overly comfortable with being presumed to be more than who I
am. People elevate you because you have an elevated position, I
understand it, but I’m not comfortable with it.”
What also makes Holder uncomfortable, despite having only just over
two weeks in parliament under his belt, is the soured relationship
that cuts along political lines and that spills out in the House of
Commons.
“I’ve been surprised by the level of rancor among members between
parties,” admits holder. “What I’m trying to determine is, is it
political gamesmanship or is it posturing? Is it visceral and real?
I’m surprised and saddened by that kind of conduct. We have an
obligation when we were elected to try and find ways to work
together.”
On this point, Holder and London-North-Centre MP Glen Pearson
(Liberal) are bucking the animosity trend. They have joined forces
for local initiatives such as the London Food Bank and bringing
Canada's first HIV vaccine manufacturing facility to Western.
Holder plans to share his mantra of cooperation with fellow MPs when
giving his maiden speech in the house, expected to be sometime in
the first quarter.
“I’m going to take the theme of parliamentary decorum and this whole
theme of working together for the greater good of Canada,” he says.
“Anyone who would disagree with my position has been in politics too
long. Politics should be a passion, not a career.”
Holder hopes to take advantage of learning his way around parliament
by writing a how-to book for new MPs - 70 of the 308 seats are
first-time MPs. The early working title of this book is SWAT (So
Where Are the Toilets?).
Beyond that, Holder says keeping London and Western front and centre
during decision making is a key part of his job.
“The role is all about making efforts to influence government policy
for the greater good of Canada, in another respect it’s to represent
your constituency and your city, being at the table of the federal
government, to do good things for your community and your
constituency,” he says.
“If there’s one thing I learned already, it’s there’s no votes in
Ottawa - and it means you have to stay close to your constituency.”
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