Local MP will focus on local and national issues
By William Lin
Ed Broadbent jokes that he is the only MP who can walk to work on Parliament Hill from his own house. But when he talks about what he sees on his way there, it’s no longer a laughing matter. Every day, he passes panhandlers on the street, poor children, and homeless – people he rarely saw two decades ago.
“It’s been getting worse in Ottawa, not better. One of the reasons why I went back in (politics) was all these indicators,” Broadbent says, citing homelessness, rising university tuition fees, and child poverty as issues of personal interest.
“I had an income position that was quite comfortable . . . I would be insane to go back into politics if these things weren’t a real concern to me.”
Broadbent, who led the federal NDP to a 43-seat record in the 1998 election, was elected in Ottawa Centre in June, ending 16 years of Liberal dominance. He won by nearly 3,000 votes over Liberal challenger Richard Mahoney. And just days before Parliament reconvenes, he’s already busy fighting social problems that he says are plaguing the capital’s centre.
For example, through talks with Mayor Bob Chiarelli and Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes, the National Capital Commission’s guidelines for affordable housing at LeBreton Flats was passed this summer. Twenty-five per cent of the housing will be affordable there, and as a result of his suggestion, Broadbent says, nine per cent of affordable housing will be set aside for low-income families.
But, LeBreton Flats is only the beginning of an uphill battle.
Fifteen years ago, in his final speech in Parliament, Broadbent proposed a motion in the House of Commons to abolish child poverty by 2000. Despite a unanimous decision, it’s just getting worse four years after the target date, he says.
“In 1989 (panhandlers) didn’t exist,” he says, but now Broadbent sees them “every day of my life.”
Broadbent has scheduled a meeting with other opposition MPs to discuss poverty-combating strategies, and says partisanship shouldn’t be a factor on common issues, alluding to the NDP’s influence in a minority Liberal government.
Past governments who have mismanaged budget surpluses should be blamed for the increased social problems, Broadbent says.
But the Ottawa Centre of today is unlike that of the past and, as the city becomes more diverse, a new “disturbing” problem has cropped up.
“We have over 100 immigration cases that we’re involved in. I had no idea that the problem was as serious as it is,” Broadbent says. Delays in immigration processing – some have had to wait several years for an answer – have become a “disturbing” trend.
“They’re told that’s normal. It should not be normal. We’re a country that welcomes immigrants; we should not be taking three years to process an application.”
Public transit is also high priority for Broadbent. He wants to see the multimillion-dollar rapid-transit project completed, which would create an east-west link across the city.
Along with local issues, Broadbent will likely take on an influential role in Parliament as he tackles national issues such as democratic reform. While he would spend more time in the House, he doesn’t see a problem in balancing local and federal duties.
“I think a lot of my work for my constituency, which I take very seriously, is not done in public – it is not done in the House of Commons – but behind-the-scenes. I certainly will be spending a lot of time on (local issues).”
And although the NDP traditionally does not make businesses a priority, Broadbent points out that he worked with big businesses before and is willing to listen to their concerns.
Gerry LePage, executive director of the Bank Street Promenade, says he will look forward to working with Broadbent. Members of the association are seeking a meeting to discuss issues such as tax deferrals and other economic stimulators.
“We’d have to wait and see what leadership Mr. Broadbent will provide,” says LePage.