What Makes An MPP, A Great MPP?

MPP's play a role both in their individual constituencies and at the provincial legislature. The best MPP cares about problems/situations in the community and works very hard to resolve them.

One of the most important things that an MPP can do is to be willing to meet with his or her constituents. When people actually get to meet with the MPP it helps people in two ways. Firstly, it provides people with a glimmer of hope that, now that they have the ear of the MPP, their situation will start to get better. Secondly, it provides the MPP with first hand knowledge of this person's situation and in most cases makes the MPP work harder to help this person.

Another thing that makes a very good MPP is one that frequently attends public events in his or her own constituency. This provides the public with the chance to meet and talk with their local MPP which is surprisingly very important to people.

However, an MPP must not be completely absent from the events and daily proceedings of the provincial legislature. It is important for them to attend frequently in order to make his constituents views known. It is also required that they perform "house duty" when they must put in time in the legislature during debates, as well as regularly be present for question period.

In addition, there are many things that MPP's do at Queens Park that the public sometimes doesn't know. MPP's don't just meet with their own constituents but with people from all over the province. If an MPP is assigned a portfolio (a certain Ministry to manage ie. Environment, Health, etc.) then the MPP must also meet with people that have questions and concerns with provincial legislation relating to that ministry. An MPP can sometimes find themselves in a tough position when their assigned portfolio has a issue that is of a particular interest to his or her constituents.

One of the most important things an MPP can do - and it could be said that it is should required in order to become an MPP - is their ability to listen. Listening to people is a huge part of the job and sometimes this is all people are asking for - a chance to tell their story. They say we have one mouth but two ears, so we should do twice as much listening as talking. This is especially important for MPPs.

An MPP should put aside their personal political goals and concentrate on his or her community and how to better it. They should be hard working. They should not be afraid to express their opinions, because an MPP that sits on the fence is not an MPP that will fight for their constituents.

In closing, an MPP should be able to represent his constituents before all else. Easily, the hardest part of being an MPP, they must chose their constituents over themselves.