By Krysta Krupica
The offices of Mac Harb and Richard Patten are some of “the busiest in the region.”
Patten says the phones never stop ringing and the invitations to public events never stop coming.
“I’m out so much my wife says I’m never home,” jokes the Ottawa Centre MPP.
Harb, a fellow Liberal and MP for Ottawa Centre shares Patten’s sentiment.
“I wish I had extra hours in the day,” he says.
Last year, the provincial riding was expanded to 108,000 people, slightly less than the federal riding and almost the population of the province of P.E.I.
But neither Harb nor Patten would give up their role in the heart of Ottawa, despite the size of the ridings.
“Centretown is vibrant, unique, diverse, exciting and never dull,” says Harb.
After the interview, Patten has four other meetings planned. He says he will be in his office late into the evening. But he says it isn’t an unusual event.
“There’s always phone calls to return, and events to go to,” he says. “Sometimes on weekends I go to as many as seven or eight community events.”
Harb says staying in touch with his constituency is a vital part of his political role.
He says it means returning every call, meeting with all constituents who request meetings and “taking action on behalf of people, both individuals and collectives.”
Accessibility, Harb says, is one of his strengths.
Despite their busy schedules, both men are active in an areas of politics that are not rated high on the political agenda, says David Millen. Those are children and youth issues.
“Harb especially is somewhat of a lone voice,” says Millen, executive director of Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa.
“Health care, transportation, poverty, and sometimes education rate high on the political agenda. Children and youth issues rate about fifteenth.”
On April 3, Harb raised the issue of making the first week of May ‘National Youth Week.’ He says he’s been pushing for the week for some time.
Millen says although the Ontario Liberal party is committed to kids, Patten is not in a strong position since he’s the opposition.
He says the Liberals poled Ontarians about what they felt should be on their political agenda and found issues about children and youth low.
Millen says since young people and children aren’t high on the priorities of Ontarians, it isn’t a priority on the political agenda.
“Let’s face it,” he says. “It would look pretty silly if you went out and said my cause is the seal hunt, or some other issue not high on the political agenda.
“Harb gives a lot of credence to child and youth issues. He certainly doesn’t do it for political mileage since youth can’t vote.”
Small business owners on Preston Street and Somerset Street have benefitted from Harb and Patten’s influence.
Peter Harris says Harb founded the Preston Street Business Improvement Area with merchants as city councillor.
Harris, executive director of the area, says Harb continues to be active in supporting Preston Street development.
“He reacts immediately and gets us federal support and funds,” says Harris.
Industry Canada data shows that Centretown has received $1.1 billion in grants.
“I’m thrilled Centretown is dynamic enough to tap into those resources,” says Harb. “But I say it’s not enough.”
Harris says Preston Street has “never benefitted from any provincial funding.” He says it’s the only business improvement area in Ottawa that hasn’t received provincial redevelopment grants.
But he said Patten was more influential in the creation of the Somerset Heights Business Improvement Area.
Patten insured the province paid one-quarter of the redevelopment bill, while the federal government paid one-half and the merchants paid the additional one-quarter.
“In general, the Liberals have been pro-small business,” says Harris.
Both Harb and Patten have other issues close to their hearts.
Harb has the largest number of private members’ bills in the House with six. He’s working on one to legalize prostitution to keep “peace and quiet downtown.”
He wants to create an ombudsman for gasoline companies so people can have someone to direct their complaints about gas prices to.
His Whistle-Blower legislation became law, which protects the identity of individual’s making price-fixing complaints.
Patten, with three private members’ bills, consulted with Ottawa April 5 about amendments to the Mental Health Act.
He says his private members’ bill will be used in the new legislation. He is also concerned about health care.
Patten says people from outside the Ottawa Centre riding have been bringing him their concerns also.
“They know I don’t give up on something; I won’t give up,” he says.
That means that, like Harb’s offices, Patten’s offices will also be very busy. He says he’s glad the community can come to him.
“I only wish I could get out more to exercise,” he laughs.