Shoddy defence from MLA

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/11/2023 (707 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Whatever information was given to Mark Wasyliw when he chose to run for MLA, it should have included a disclaimer that it’s not supposed to be a part-time gig.

Wasyliw, one of the many NDP MLAs in Premier Wab Kinew’s newly formed government, has knocked the bloom off his own rose in record time. After being passed over for cabinet, the attorney-by-trade publicly snubbed his own leader, refusing to shake Kinew’s hand after he was sworn in to office. Then, he made a point of announcing he’d continue with his legal practice while serving on the NDP bench.

After a round of public criticism, Wasyliw has come out to defend his actions. In a letter to constituents, he justifies his decision by arguing that serving as a backbencher only requires him to be in the house 60 days a year (though the number of sitting days varies). He also compared himself to Kinew, who wrote two books during his time as opposition leader.

It’s an insulting tone to take for an MLA. Wasyliw’s behaviour after losing out on a cabinet post has been roundly criticized as immature and self-absorbed; his defence only serves to prove his accusers right.

By framing his responsibilities in terms of his requirements in the House, Wasyliw appears to embrace the idea that he need only do the bare minimum now that he hasn’t received the elevated post he wanted. If he can’t be in cabinet, it would seem, he’d rather do as little as possible, and focus on his legal practice in the meantime.

The comparison between a legal practice and writing books is a bizarre one. No one required Kinew to clock in a set amount of time at an office, or in a courtroom, for him to assemble a manuscript. That is a task perfectly achievable outside of the time he was required to put in for his provincial role. Wasyliw, however, will have much more serious and time-sensitive demands in dealing with his clients. Wasyliw will need to be on call during daytime business hours much more than Kinew was.

And being available is of chief importance,because an MLAs responsibilities extend beyond clocking in for Question Period. Wasyliw serves a constituency, one that, like all political constituences, will have nearly as many issues to address as there are people within it. The people of Fort Garry will need Wasyliw to be responsive to their concerns, their expectations, or even just their need for information.

It’s a heck of a lot more work than putting in a couple of months at the legislature over the course of a session. And, for that matter, an MLAs longevity in office can be directly tied to how much they are seen to care about issues at the level of the constituency itself. If Wasyliw doesn’t pull through for the people of Fort Garry, they’ll let him know at the ballot box next time around.

What’s strange is that Wasyliw seems to understand this. In his letter he wrote “We meet with stakeholders and attend community events. Our main job is to stay connected with our communities and bring back what we hear to our caucuses.”

So if Wasyliw understands at one level what his primary function as an MLA is, he at least seems to sorely underestimate how much of a commitment that is. More than that, his public behaviour and statements tell the tale of an MLA who can’t be bothered to be grateful for the opportunity he’s already been given by the voters of Fort Garry.

It was a rough way to start a term. If Wasyliw follows through on continuing to practise law, his clients should hope they get a better defence out of him than the one he’s given himself.