Brent Rathgeber, MP for Edmonton-St. Albert and a federal parliamentarian since 2008, has recently raised eyebrows with his pointed criticism of wasteful government spending, gold-plated MP pensions, and the controversial supply management system that protects dairy and poultry farmers from competition.
He argued Thursday that MPs like him are in many cases better-positioned than the opposition to question government policies.
“The Opposition’s constitutional mandate is to criticize and oppose. However, sometimes a critique from the Conservatives’ own benches will be more effective, as opposition barbs are frequently written off as partisan gamesmanship,” he wrote in a blog posted Thursday.
He said the NDP in particular lacks credibility on fiscal prudence issues.
“With a socialist Official Opposition, how realistic is it that a critical examination of spending, social programs or the CBC is going to originate from the side opposite?”
Rathgeber noted that some commentators have described him as a maverick and a rebel who has “gone rogue,” with one suggesting that he is speaking out with the blessing of the prime minister’s office to test out controversial ideas.
“I assure you that PMO has no such confidence in me,” he wrote.
Rathgebe vowed to continue speaking out in favour of limiting the size and role of government.
Neither Rathgeber nor the chief government whip, Gordon O’Connor, were available for interviews Thursday.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Peter O'Neil
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