Duane Hicks
Local MP John Rafferty is looking forward to working with retired air force officer and new Veterans Affairs minister Erin O’Toole in 2015 after Prime Minister Stephen Harper ditched former minister Julian Fantino on Monday.
“I don’t think that anyone in Thunder-Rainy River, or across Canada, is that surprised that Julian Fantino is gone,” Rafferty noted.
“This is leading up to an election year and certainly Mr. Harper could not afford to have Julian Fantino as his minister of veterans affairs going into a campaign, so it’s not surprising,” he added.
“I think everybody knew he would be gone over the holidays sometime.
“I’m not sure of the circumstances, whether he’s indicated he’s not going to run again, sort of saving some face on the way out,” Rafferty remarked.
“But I think Erin O’Toole is a good choice,” he said. “I’ve only had a couple of dealings with Erin but he’s a veteran first and foremost, and he’s also very well-spoken, and I think he’ll be passionate about veterans’ issues.
“I’m hoping this is a very positive step by Mr. Harper.”
Rafferty said he’ll continue his work with Veterans Affairs with O’Toole.
“I look forward to working with the new minister to make sure that veterans get a fair shake in this country,” he pledged.
“Most of my work in 2014 has been with veterans and Veterans Affairs, and I am hoping this is going to be very positive change for veterans in Canada,” added Rafferty.
“But it doesn’t mean that because there is a new minister that the problems don’t exist anymore,” he warned.
“They still do.”
Meanwhile, Rafferty feels Harper will abide by the fixed federal election date of Oct. 19, 2015.
“It’s going to be a tumultuous year in Parliament as people jockey for position with the election coming up,” he remarked, noting he plans to run for re-election.
“I think it’s also interesting with some of the court cases that are coming up in 2015, particularly Mr. Duffy,” Rafferty added.
“I think lots of people are going to be following those sorts of events with great interest.
“It’s also interesting to note there are a number of vacancies now in the Senate and it’s going to be interesting to see what Mr. Harper decides to do,” he continued.
“The Senate and senate issues will be on my radar, and think probably most Canadians right across the country.”
Rafferty suspected that Harper will make Senate appointments but this won’t take place until Parliament rises for the summer.
In light of ISIS activity in Iraq, Canada’s foreign affairs also likely will be an issue in 2015.
“There may be pressure for Canada to expand its role,” Rafferty speculated.
“That will be an interesting debate in Parliament when that comes up because Mr. Harper has promised to make sure these things are discussed in Parliament before decisions are made.”
Rafferty said he also will continue to fight for the needs of seniors.
He noted that when he was visiting the Fort Frances area over Christmas, “it was pretty clear that seniors are getting stretched financially.”
“This continues to be a serious problem,” Rafferty stressed. “I was chatting with someone today—a senior who is 85—and he said, ‘I just got my raise and it was a dollar and something a month.
“‘This doesn’t really help me much.’
“There’s lots of seniors on fixed incomes who are entering 2015 not really sure about the financial and economic standing,” Rafferty added.
“I think that’s a serious issue that should be front and centre in 2015.”
