EDITORIAL – Kudos to Caputo – an articulate voice in Ottawa for his riding

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

BRACE YOURSELF, I’m about to say something nice about a politician. Not only that, it’s a federal Conservative.

You might want to mark this day in your diary.

I’m talking about Frank Caputo. In his year and a half as MP for this area, he’s been impressive. Being a bit of a wonk on politics, I follow what our MP is doing in Ottawa. Each time he speaks in the House, I receive an email alert from a service I signed up for years ago.

Caputo can’t help that he represents a party that in some respects is mired in the dark ages, and that its leader is an arrogant windbag. Despite that, Caputo conducts himself as a gentleman.

He’s is one of the most articulate MPs in Parliament. He speaks respectfully but forcefully on issues he is either responding to in his capacity as a member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights or that he raises himself.

“Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise on behalf of the people of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo,” he will often begin when he stands.

But he doesn’t mince words when it comes to criticizing the government, from the $13.5-billion Volkswagen deal to budget items to strengthening the law on sexual assault.

Social disorder and bail reform have been high on his priorities. And here’s a recent snippet from an exchange on China: “Mr. Speaker, I do not know what is not clear for the government. It seems to me that it is abundantly clear that there is a problem. There is such a problem and this government has governed by obfuscation. That is part of the problem.”

At home in his riding, Caputo conscientiously attends local events and, based on my own limited interaction with him on constituency issues, is responsive to concerns.

So, there you have it, some positive political vibes. I’ll try not to make a habit of it.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.