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An
MP Vacation
Innisfil Enterprise
July 18, 2007
By Peter Van Loan, MP, York-Simcoe
What does an MP do on vacation?
I don't go on vacations very often. I didn't
before I got elected either. But this past
week, I went to Boston (where I had never
been previously) for a five day visit.
As I left the taxi arriving at the hotel, my
Blackberry fell out onto the cab's back
seat. It was only about 15 seconds later
that I realized what had happened - but by
then the taxi was gone. Without my
communications link to my e-mail and office,
perhaps this would be a real vacation!
Being a Member of Parliament has an effect
on what you do. The homes of American
Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams
(father and son) were a destination. So was
the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.
And the political theme was also reinforced
by visits to several sites significant to
the American Revolution, Your MP also can't
resist used bookstores where obscure
political volumes can be purchased! It makes
for heavy luggage.
I also took the opportunity in town to meet
with Canada's Consul-General in Boston, to
get his perspective on Canada's ties to this
area, and his work in promoting Canada's
trade and other interests in New England.
Before the trip, I learned that Cabinet
Colleague and my former seatmate in the
House of Commons, Christian Paradise was on
holiday with his family in the same area.
Naturally, we arranged to get together for a
visit.. Of course, despite it being
vacation, most of the discussion was about
our official public responsibilities.
I approach a trip anywhere as a disciplined
exercise in learning. I set a tight agenda,
and try to plan and complete visits to the
key destinations that interest me. Overall,
I was pleased that many of the spots I
wanted to visit, were covered, and time was
used efficiently.
And the Blackberry? Thanks to a sharp Taxi
driver, it was discovered and returned to me
at the hotel late the same day. My faith in
the goodness of humanity was strengthened by
his unsolicited gesture. The generous
unsolicited reward I gave the cab driver
probably did the same for him!
But with the Blackberry in hand, I was able
to stay in touch. On the day I wrote this
column during the trip, I also redrafted a
policy memorandum for the Prime Minister's
office, dealt with administrative issues for
my office, confirmed arrangements for four
events in the riding, and dealt with
arrangements for two government
announcements.
In this job, you may be on vacation, but you
are never on holiday. Indeed, you are always
"on the job"!
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