Findlay settles into riding
It’s been almost three months since Kerry-Lynne Findlay was elected MP of Delta-Richmond East and she’s finally getting a chance to settle into the riding.
Parliament recessed for the summer on June 24 and the Conservative MP moved into her new Ladner constituency office in mid-July.
After installing new carpets, removing the existing bright pink blinds and slapping on a fresh coat of paint, the second-floor suite at 202-5000 Bridge St. is ready for business. Findlay is inviting the public to an open house on Tuesday, Aug. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m.
“It’s geographically central,” Findlay said when asked why she chose Ladner as the site of her office. “I assume that’s why my predecessor (John Cummins) chose Ladner as well.”
When she’s not organizing her new workspace, Findlay says she’s busy packing boxes at home. The Vancouver resident has been planning to move into the Delta-Richmond East riding since she was elected, and recently made an offer on a house in Tsawwassen.
The Leader sat down with Findlay this week to hear how things are going since being sworn in as a Member of Parliament.
“Just after that I got the call that the Prime Minister wanted to see me,” she said. “I went to meet with him personally and he told me he was going to appoint me Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice.”
The appointment came as a surprise to the rookie MP, who believes she was selected because of her 30 years experience as a lawyer. Now considered a legal advisor to the Crown, she has had to give up her job at her former law firm.
“It would be a conflict for me to be having any private clients,” she said.
During Findlay’s first session in Parliament, one major piece of justice legislation—the mega trial bill—received royal assent.
“Because the minister had to be away due to a death in his family, I was the one who did the second reading of that and introduced it,” she said.
She also gave her first speech in the House of Commons in support of introducing back-to-work legislation for Canada Post employees.
When Parliament resumes Sept. 19 Findlay says she will continue to support legislation put forward by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson.
“We have a strong law and order agenda. We want to emphasize the protection of families and emphasize victim’s rights,” Findlay said.
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