Written by Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 02 December 2009 10:59107.5 KISSFM:
Vernon's rep in Victoria is fighting back over criticism he didn't stand up for his constituents during his first few months in office. 
The NDP issued a news release, saying Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster barely spoke in the legislature, and was silent on key issues affecting his riding like health care, education and local food production. Foster (pictured) tells KISS FM, "I spoke on a few of the issues that pertain to us here. That first go around (at the Legislature) for a lot of us was a learning experience, and I didn't get much of an opportunity to speak to it. I will be one of the first speakers on the Throne Speech when we go back in February."
The rookie MLA and former mayor of Lumby is particularly upset at criticism he hasn't put time into the meat inspection regulations. "It's probably the single largest issue I've dealt with. I spent more time on the food safety issue than I have on anything else and I continue to meet with local constituents to try and find a solution to it. The NDP introduced a bill in the House the last week of the session knowing full well it wouldn't go anywhere. They had already agreed to a timetable to end the session, so they're playing politics with this, and that's all it is."
Foster also disputes an NDP claim that he campaigned on a promise not to bring in the HST. "For me personally I had no involvement in the HST discussions prior to the election or even after the election, even up until June so where they come up with a statement that I promised not to bring it in, I have no idea where that came from." The NDP claims in the media release were attributed to Nelson Creston NDP MLA Michelle Mungall who says the tourism industry in Vernon can't afford the huge hit that's coming next year due to the HST, noting "the industry is facing up to 10,000 job losses because of the HST."
1 comment:
As a member of the BC Liberal Party, Eric Foster ran on their platform during the election. In a written response to a food industry survey during the election, the BC Liberals committed to not implement the HST. To suggest that he never made such a promise certainly shows Foster’s lack of knowledge about his Party’s promises made on his behalf, but makes him no less accountable. Once he did know, which was quite late in the game compared to his colleagues, he chose not to speak up for his constituents. Being new is no excuse. Several rookies have been speaking up against Gordon Campbell, including Liberal MLA Norm Letnick when it came to homelessness. In a democracy, Foster needs to explain why he tows the party line, but he hasn’t. We, as his constituents should ask him why. Robert Pettit
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