NDP MP Bill Siksay just announced his intention not to run for reelection (and I’ll be interviewing him tomorrow about that decision). We spoke yesterday, before he made the announcement, and here’s what he had to say.
Q: What were your highs and lows of the fall sitting?
A: The high point was the passage at report stage of Bill C-389, the trans rights bill. That was great news. The low point of the session for me was the continuing presence of Canadian troops in the war in Afghanistan. I don’t think the switch to a training mission is anything but continuing Canada’s commitment to the war in Afghanistan, and our troops should be coming home. So that was a major disappointment.
Q: And same again, but for the full year.
A: It’s the same for both.
Q: This is probably self-evident, but biggest accomplishment of the fall sitting for you?
A: Again it’s the trans bill. It’s the first time we’ve debated this issue in the Canadian Parliament, and to have a majority of MPs stand and support the bill was a huge success for the trans community, a huge vote indicating awareness of the situation of trans people and a determination to improve the lives of trans people.
Q: And what about your holiday plans?
A: I’m going home. Mostly Burnaby, family, that kind of stuff. Nothing more exciting than that.
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