Thousands of people across the northwest participated in a town hall with Skeena – Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen last night, something Cullen said was an overwhelming success.
“We had 8,500 people and most stayed on for a while...I was overwhelmed by the numbers, as were the folks who helped put this on. They came back with a reports saying 'this is stunning, people in the northwest obviously appreciate this kind of dialogue',” he said during a regional media call on June 13.
“They get to put their questions to me but also get to hear from their neighbours. It also is a way to try and unite a very large part of our country and find out what is on the minds of our neighbours...I love the process. The questions were excellent. People were very thoughtful about what they wanted to know and what they wanted to see, and I wish the government would listen in on these calls to see how much everyday people are aware and concerned about what is going on.”
As he and other MPs get set for a marathon debate and vote on amendments to the over 400-page budget document, Cullen said it was clear what was on people's minds in the riding.
“Changes to the environmental assessment process were top wrung of concerns for people raised for us, and that's obviously got to do with stripping of the Fisheries Act and the pipeline the government is trying to ram through,” he said.
“Increased post-secondary funding was also a number one topic, which is interesting in terms of where the government should invest.”
As for the round-clock voting, Cullen said it is something that has to be done in light of how the government is acting with bill C-38.
“We are going to push back even further and make them vote and feel the pain on each of and every one of these votes. Nothing should come free to a bully, and if you let a bully bully, they'll come back for more,” he said.
“This is a lot about trying to restore some basic democratic principles.”