By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chatham-Kent council won’t be weighing in on the matter of political floor crossing.
This coming at the May 11 meeting following the defeat of a motion put forward by North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville. Five councillors voted in favour of the ask and 11 were opposed.
As part of the motion, Jubenville asked that a letter be sent to Ottawa, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and other government agencies in support of petition led by Middlesex-London MP Lianne Rood. The petition is seeking an amendment to the Parliament of Canada Act asking that a byelection be called if an elected Member of Parliament crosses the floor to another party. However, if the MP decides to leave a party and serve as an independent, no byelection would be held.
The 110,000-signature petition was presented to the House of Commons on May 6.
Prior to the vote, Jubenville pointed out the motion was non-partisan, stating most people vote for a party, not an individual, noting MPs who cross the floor betray the constituents who voted for them.
According to Jubenville, floor crossings “can erode voter trust amid rising political corruption and scandals.
“We are the grassroot politicians that are closest to our constituents,” Jubenville said. “Sometimes we need to advocate on provincial and federal matters.”
Jubenville said her motion was prompted by the recent floor crossing of long-time Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu who crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party. The move helped secure a majority government for the Mark Carney Liberals.
Jubenville said Gladu’s actions have angered voters in the S-L-B riding, with many calling for the MP to resign.
But other members of council are of a different opinion. South Kent’s Trevor Thompson said that while he doesn’t agree with crossing the floor, voters technically vote for the person, not the party.
“I don’t like floor crossing at all, but we vote for the person here, no matter what party they represent,” Thompson said. “And I have to believe that if someone crosses the floor, they don’t make that decision lightly and they’ve got some pretty good reasons to do it.”
In speaking to the motion, West Kent Coun. Melissa Harrigan cited the results of a Nanos poll, noting Canadians are “truly split” regarding floor crossings.
Harrigan said it’s important that C-K has good relationships with upper-tier governments, adding that weighing in on the issue could erode such ties.
“I don’t know if I want to risk those relationships over what is really a procedural process at the federal level,” she said, but noted she appreciates the conversation.
