Local MPP says role won’t take away from focus on riding
Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
Hastings-Lennox and Addington MPP Daryl Kramp didn’t go to Queen’s Park with the intention of seeking a major job within the provincial government, but his peers looked in his direction.
Kramp was named Progressive Conservative caucus chair, meaning he’ll be responsible for directing the weekly meeting where all the party’s elected members gather with Premeir Doug Ford and the members of his cabinet and executive council.
Having been elected four times to the federal House of Commons and a part of a party forming government for nearly 10 years, Kramp said his political career will serve him well in his new role. He’ll draw from time spent previously as chair of Canada’s Treasury Board Advisory Caucus and Public Safety and National Security Committee as part of the Harper government.
“This role lets me use the experience I have gained in ensuring we have a caucus that’s efficient, effective, and works in a co-ordinated fashion. Obviously, my role is to impart a sense of direction so we can be very, very effective,” he said. “Being how we have a new government and we have been in opposition basically for 15 years, having a person engaged as a caucus chair who has been there and done that will add stability and cohesion to where we’re going as a group.”
Kramp said he work to forge an environment of openness in caucus meetings and ensure that members are able to freely represent their constituents and not be dictated to. Thus far, with what he’s seen from Ford and his team, both on the election circuit earlier this year and since taking office, he doesn’t believe that will be an issue.
“We’re very fortunate the leadership and campaign team has been open to thoughts, ideas, and concerns. I think it’s going to work pretty well.”
While some may see the role of a chairman as one that could limit their voice, Kramp says serving should actually help his ability to represent Hastings-Lennox and Addington in Toronto.
“It puts me in a good position to know and meet consistently and regularly with everyone from the premier’s office, to cabinet ministers, to the house leader, to the party whip,” he explained.
The veteran politician also said he’s pleased that while there is preparation that goes into planning the once-weekly meeting, he has time for his primary commitment, which is the concerns of the riding.
Asked about his feelings on the start the government has made, Kramp said he’s been pleased with what he’s calling a “pretty aggressive start” with the legislature recalled in the summer to go to work.
“For people saying it’s business as usual, we’ve made a very strong point that no it’s not. Dramatic changes have to be made for the long-term future of the province,” he said. “We made a commitment and we made a promise. We can’t treat it lightly.”
One priority Kramp was pleased to see addressed was the call for an independent audit of the Province’s finances.
“We definitely had to get a handle on that financial situation, we cannot make long-term commitments unless we know where we stand,” he said. “By naming an independent auditor to work with the financial officer and auditor general will give us a really honest starting point.”
He also defended the path the government is taking on the energy file and on sexual education.
With respect to the 758 renewable energy projects about to be cancelled, Kramp said he understand the concern of people who would benefit from the projects moving forward, but added Ontario does not need additional energy generation and it is coming at a cost to the public.
“This is not government money, it’s taxpayer money paying for energy we do not need. It’s not efficient and it’s not effective.”
Kramp stated the government made a commitment to fully evaluate the sexual education curriculum after party members “heard time and again from thousands of people” about the lack of parental engagement when the current curriculum was introduced.
While Minister of Education Lisa Thompson announced the government would look to revert to the previous curriculum, Kramp said there is a recognition that times have evolved and changes to that document are necessary.
He indicated the planned aggressive consultation would allow the ministry to determine and accept what is working currently and consider changes members of the public identify.
Looking closer to home, Kramp confirmed he will have two constituency offices — one in Napanee and one in Madoc.
“We made a commitment to have an office in each county and we’re going to do just that,” he said.
Kramp indicated he has office locations, furnishings, and initial staff in place. He’s now waiting for the government’s information technology staff to connect those offices to a secure provincial system. Announcements on locations, opening dates, and hours are expected soon.