MP Richard Cannings.
US President Barack Obama was in the House of Commons last week where he took an overview of current events in a powerful speech, and that moment in history was observed by Oliver’s Member of Parliament.
Obama decided not to mention the presumed nominee for the Republican Party by name, but “there was certainly a lot of anti-Donald Trump rhetoric,” said Richard Cannings, MP for South Okanagan-Similkameen.
“There were various messages in the speech, mostly about fighting increasing isolationism in the world. That as a general theme, and also how the relationship with Canada and the United States has for the most part been very friendly.”
When asked his opinion on why Obama seems more friendly with Canada’s Liberal Government than the previous one, Cannings said Obama feels the Trudeau government’s policies more closely match his own.
“Like (Prime Minister Brian) Mulroney and (President Ronald) Reagan – those relationships are important. I don’t know how it will translate to benefits for Canada but it can’t hurt.”
But even though differing political philosophies sometimes cause contention, party stripes didn’t seem to divide the House during Obama’s visit, as he received a full standing ovation.
“It was a great event, a real festive atmosphere on the hill,” Cannings said. “But one thing I’m happily surprised at in going to Ottawa is how collegial the atmosphere is anyway. We have lots of other opportunities to talk with other MPs, speak about issues and get to know them. Obama’s visit didn’t add to that more than a usual day on the hill.”
He said that during any sitting of the legislature, it’s common for MPs to cross the aisle as sit with members of the opposition, even during debates.
During the final sitting before summer break, “Everybody wanted to say a have-a-good-summer type of thing.”
Because of the delegates that travelled to Ottawa for the special occasion, Cannings was able to meet a few influential politicians. He was most excited to have met Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, who was personally commended by man of the hour for her environmentally-conscious attitude in a region where the majority of Canada’s fossil fuels are extracted.
“It was very nice that President Obama singled her out for praise in his speech about their hard work and their bold plan to combat climate change,” he said.
“People think of Alberta as the antithesis of climate change, and Rachel Notley and her government are really becoming leaders on the continental level to fight climate change.”
Cannings also spoke with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, former NDP leader Ed Broadbent, as well as senators and First Nations leaders.
“People I always wanted to meet I got to go up and have quite extensive chats with them.”
Even though Cannings sits towards the back of the House of Commons, he said every seat in there is a good seat.
And despite going to watch one of the most protected people in the world, the security protocol for Cannings and other MPs upon entering the House was the same as any other day.
“Security guards know the MPs so we just walk in, and we wear special pins.”
But it was a little different for those in attendance who aren’t regulars at the House.
“The people who watched the speech as guests had to go to another site in Ottawa, get cleared by security, then get taken on a bus to the east block of Parliament, and then take a tunnel from east block to central block.”
Asked if he thought there was an ulterior motivation behind Obama’s decision to deliver a charismatic speech in Canada, Cannings had no skepticism, and thinks the president was simply happy to accept the invitation from Trudeau.
DAN WALTON
Oliver Chronicle
