MPP Michael Chan Takes His Seat In The Ontario Legislature

(Mar.19.07) Michael Chan, Markham’s new MPP, and Minister of Revenue in the government of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, took his seat for the first time in the Legislative Assembly this afternoon, along with the two other new members elected in provincial by-elections on February 8.

Ontario’s Parliament reconvened today and at 1:30 p.m. the three new MPP’s, one from each of the three provincial parties, waited outside the main doors of the Assembly for their respective party leaders, along with the house leader, to come outside and escort them in. A centuries old parliamentary custom requires the new members to offer some token resistance to their first induction into the House.

The first to be called upon was Michael Chan. Premier Dalton McGuinty, accompanied by Government House Leader James Bradley, emerged through the ornate glass doors to summon the new Liberal member for Markham. They paused a moment to allow me to capture the moment in a photo and then escorted Mr. Chan to his seat in the third row of the government benches.

After the three new members had been introduced into the House, there followed a period for members’ motions, and then a spirited Question Period, during which Opposition members grilled the government on a number of issues, but did not test the new Revenue Minister.

After Question Period, the Hon. Michael Chan came out into the lobby to meet with the media. Mr. Chan spoke with GuidingStar.ca.

We asked him if he had found it overwhelming to go from private citizen to MPP, and then to member of the Cabinet, in a space of a few weeks:

“You caught the right word. It is overwhelming. Yes, that is the actual feeling but then, I am proud I am able to make a difference. And I am also grateful to the people who made it happen for me: the campaign helpers, my family, and of course, the Premier having trust in me.”

What will be his main duties as Minister of Revenue?

“The main duty, of course, is collecting taxes. I do have one big file to handle, which is the harmonization of the corporate tax with the federal level. It is expected to be in 2009 and, as you can imagine, now there is negotiating, in terms of the labour issue, in terms of the statute issue; because right now, when companies file taxes, they have to follow one provincial statute, and another federal statute. Sometimes it is a burden to the business sector. So, this harmonization, I hope, will streamline things and eventually will be good for the business sector.”

We asked him the question that many in Markham are asking. Will his membership in the Cabinet enhance his ability to bring about improvements for the riding?

“Oh, that is what people always perceive, that ‘you are in cabinet, you have power’ but, to me, it is something very individual, very personal. I have to work hard for the people. I have to work hard for the people of Markham, and with integrity. And, as I am now Revenue Minister, I have to work hard for all the people of Ontario. As I said, I am proud I have this opportunity, and, of course, I have every intention to work hard and help the people as much as I can, the people of Markham, as well as the people of Ontario.”

During the press scrum, Mr. Chan answered questions from a number of members of the Chinese-language media. I asked him if, in addition to his riding and ministerial duties, he felt also a responsibility to be a representative, in the legislature and cabinet, of the Chinese-Canadian community.

“We do have a large Chinese population in the GTA area, and in Ontario there are 800,000 people of that origin. But keep in mind we have 12 million Ontarians. So my job is really broad based. It is not just to one community but to all the community. Of course, I came from the Chinese community originally but ... at the same time I will work hard for all people because I was elected by all the people of Markham. So, my intention is to represent them all.”

He told us that his new constituency office will be opening in the next week or two and will be located at 450 Alden Road, Unit 5. He chose an address close to the location of the previous member’s riding office because constituents had become accustomed to their provincial member being located in that area. He said further:

“I look forward to the opening. I look forward to having my constituents come in to discuss things they are happy with and discuss things they have a challenge with. That is part of my job and I look forward to it.”

Grant Weaver