The first time I met Ron Cannan (left), the rookie MP from Kelowna-Lake Country, he was running as fast as he could at me trying to steal the soccer ball I was trying to advance up the field. Cannan was on the ‘Conservative’ team and I was on the Press Gallery team in a match the PMO organized last June on the front lawn of Parliament Hill.
We’ve since met often under slightly less arduous circumstances.
And while there are a few in his caucus who try to avoid the media, I don’t get the sense that Cannan is one of those for the simple reason he goes out of his way to say hi when you pass him in a hallway and, when you ask him a question, he does his best to provide an honest and forthright answer. I e-mailed him the other day about the “Scott Ross” video taken at an open house his electoral district association (EDA) organized back in Kelowna. Cannan, who looks and runs too young to be a new grandfather (his first grandson is just six weeks old), sent along this reply:
My Riding Association held an Open House for my constituents on Saturday, March 31 from 1-4 pm. I spoke with several constituents for about an hour about all kinds of budget and political issues.
I gave a brief address to the group, thanked the volunteers for organizing the open house and indicated I looked forward to continue meeting with the people that had come out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to ask questions.
Shortly after I finished speaking one individual stood and demanded to make a political statement to the participants, he was reminded that it was an Open House.
Another individual, Mr. Scott Ross, brought a camcorder to the meeting. The footage was posted on YouTube.
I am always available to my constituents to discuss any matter they wish and have made myself available to Mr. Ross.
Also, I look forward to the opportunity for political debate in a forum designed for that purpose.
A few constituents made appointments so we can discuss their specific cases further.
I want to thank my EDA for hosting the function and for those who came to meet and speak with me.