Bruce Hyer Could Shift the Political Compass in Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer is hosting a press conference on Friday. There is massive speculation that the environmental activist is going to join the Green Party. Hyer states that as an independent MP he feels he is far more effective to represent the riding. Hyer, along with Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty were sanctioned by NDP Leader Thomas Muclair over their votes to kill the federal long gun registry.

Hyer then resigned from the NDP caucus.

One of the issues raised in the current parliament in Canada is just how effective any Member of Parliament can be. The system has shifted increasingly to centralize power in the hands of the party leader, and in the government’s case in the Prime Minister’s hands.

Conservative MPs have stepped out of the party to sit as independent Members as well. The main reasons include a lack of their ability to represent their constituents, as the PMO has, in the view of a growing number of MPs on the government side.

Independent MPs Are Limited by Legislation

As an independent Member of Parliament, the ability of an MP to raise money to fight the next election is seriously limited.

Elections Canada which enforce the rules. state that as an independent candidate or Member of Parliament, the rules set forward in legislation severely inhibit the ability to collect and raise the funds to fight a election campaign.

If Hyer were to join the Green Party he would through the Riding Association or EDA be able to fundraise and collect money and issue tax receipts.

In the House of Commons, if Hyer were to join the Green Party, it would not impact the party in terms of official party status. The Parliament of Canada Act requires that a party must have a minimum of 12 members in the House of Commons to gain official party status. Official party status grants each party certain funding and parliamentary privileges.

Although Elizabeth May is a Green Party MP, she is in effect under the House of Commons rules treated the same as an independent Member of Parliament.

Hyer is not talking all that much about his announcement this coming Friday.

NetNewsLedger GO-LIVE© will carry the announcement live so as they say, ‘stay tuned’.