Kent withstands red wave to keep Thornhill riding blue

Transition to opposition may be tough, says political professor

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 20, 2015
By Simone Joseph

Peter Kent’s role and the amount of power he has will change in transitioning from government to official opposition, predicts Robert MacDermid, a York University politics professor.

“It is like getting a large demotion - nobody likes that prospect,” he said.

On Monday night, residents in Thornhill voted the former journalist and cabinet minister in the Stephen Harper government back for his third term as MP.

But with most of the country voting Liberal, Thornhill is now a minority rectangle of blue Conservative support amidst a sea of red Liberal ridings around Toronto and York Region.

Before 2008, Thornhill was home to two back-to-back Liberal MPs.

Liberal Susan Kadis was Thornhill MP from 2004-2008 and Liberal Elinor Caplan was MP for the community from 1997 to 2004.

Kent was first elected a member of parliament representing Thornhill in 2008 and sworn into cabinet as Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, responsible for the Americas.

In January 2011, Kent was appointed Canada’s Environment Minister and served in that role until July 2013. In Oct. 2013, Kent was elected Chair of the House Standing Committee on National Defence.

Now in opposition, Kent will likely have fewer staff, endure a pay cut and have less power, MacDermid said.

“Governments control things in the legislature. Opposition MPs have little influence on legislation. It is the government’s agenda that gets carried out,” MacDermid said.

On election night, while disappointed with the national results, Kent seemed determined about his new role.

“My intent is to go to Ottawa to work with Conservative colleagues to convince Liberals to moderate somewhat their extravagant promises made during the campaign,” Kent said. “We will try to convince the new government not to reverse some of the policies and legislation we have passed, that Canadians have chosen,” he said.

On election night at his after-party at the Thornhill Golf and Country Club, provincial ally Gila Martow was positive and optimistic about Kent’s role.

“Here in Thornhill, Peter Kent is adored ... I’m thrilled for Thornhill. I think he will have a strong, clear voice in parliament,” said Martow, a Conservative MPP for Thornhill.

The good news about the change in the balance of power is Kent may have more time for you, his residents, MacDermid said when asked how Thornhill will be affected by the change.

“They will have an MP that pays more attention to them,” he said.

A cabinet minister often has little time for constituent needs, he said, because of how busy they are.

The bad news? Helping constituents in suburban Thornhill may seem a lot less glamorous than being a globetrotting cabinet minister, jet setting around the world, MacDermid said.

Many former cabinet ministers who transition to the opposition are disappointed by their new role, he said.

Some in this situation move on to corporate work or search for other more interesting work.

A natural position for Kent, of course, would be as environment critic, MacDermid said.

Kent supporter David Zynoberg is not concerned about how much power Kent will have in his new position.

“He’s always been known for being a strong constituency MP and I have no doubt he will work with the new government to serve the best interests of Thornhill,” he tweeted. “Most of his achievements already were due to his ability to work with others across party lines. We’re lucky to have him.”