Where is Mr. Ritz?

It is apparent Gerry Ritz feels that he does not need to campaign in our constituency, and has little interest in meeting with First Nation peoples. Recently, Mr. Ritz was at a complete loss as to why people in the constituency would want to criticize changes to the Canadian Wheat Board. I would like to ask a few questions of Mr. Ritz, but there will be little opportunity to do so as I will not see Mr. Ritz in the riding unless I attend an all candidates meeting. He attends Conservative party functions and reads statements that have been groomed for his presentations. Mr. Ritz keeps a low profile and seldom exposes himself to open questions where he might have to defend his party.

Would Mr. Ritz like to explain why Veteran Affairs no longer has an office in Saskatoon? Could he tell me why the Conservative government has moved the Canadian military from the role of international peacekeepers to a military at war? Perhaps he could explain why the Conservative government is putting the democratic process at risk by trying to tamper with the make up of the Supreme Court of Canada; why his party is changing the rules in Elections Canada; why they are creating omnibus bills that are passed in entirety; and why it is necessary to prorogue the business of government, thus derailing the democratic process by stopping the discussion on and passage of bills?

In our constituency there are many issues to discuss with people on the reserves, including the federal under-funding of education. In an article (Lloydminster Meridian Booster, Friday, August 21, 2015), Mr. Ritz takes a defensive approach to aboriginal people, saying that they are “just bellyaching.” He has no interest meeting with them, even though seven out of nine reserves are in good standing with the Conservative government. The article states he will go to reserves, but only if they are serious. On the other hand, I have tried to contact him at his office and he does not return his calls personally. Everything in our riding has been done by remote control for so long that he will not even open a campaign office. I would like to see a candidate that is available for questions. I hope that the people in our riding will put some thought into the consequences of another term of non-consultation should Mr. Ritz be re-elected.

Marilyn Richardson

North Battleford