When Parliament reconvenes in September, I will return to Ottawa to represent the Yorkton-Melville riding for the nineteenth consecutive autumn. In spite of that work history, I can relate to the Eastern Indian folk tale that tells of several blind men who wished to “see” an elephant. Led to the beast, each touched the portion before them. “It’s like a tree,” said one. “No, a rope,” said another, and so forth, until an argument broke out.

At times, the institution of Government can be very much like that elephant. One thing, yet many—depending on your perspective.

A constituent who planned a trip to Ottawa dropped by my riding office recently. Having never been to Canada’s capital, he hoped to take a tour of the Hill, and perhaps gain a better understanding of my work there.

That too, finds a parallel in standing close to the elephant. However, I should note that any of my constituents are always welcome in Ottawa. If my schedule permits, I make time to say hello, and if a Debate period is scheduled my staff can provide passes for you to sit in on it.

When visitors to Ottawa leave the Hill, they have a slightly better understanding of the headquarters of the multi-faceted institution we call “Government,” and the place where I work towards legislation that benefits the Yorkton-Melville riding, our province, and our country.

With my nineteenth return to Ottawa—our first fall with a majority government—I remain confident in my belief that Canada has all the resources, the skills, the humanity, and most important, the spirit, to keep us on the right track in the world. As a member of its government, my perspective always includes a resolve to carry out my duties to the best of my abilities. I will return to Ottawa with that resolve, and with gratitude to those who have elected me to “stand beside the elephant.”

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