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In a wide-ranging interview with KelownaNow, Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray had plenty of offence on display as she questioned government inaction on lumber and Indigenous affairs.
She's also critical of the government's attempt to extend federal control over internet-based content.
But she also finds herself on the defensive over her decision to vote against a bill that could make conversion therapy a crime in Canada.
Bill C-10
Gray has dug in her heels on the controversial legislation that aims to expand the Broadcasting Act to include internet-based content.
"This is probably the legislation that I've received the most amount of correspondence on," said Gray. "A lot of people are really not happy with it."
Lumber
Have you noticed the price of lumber these days?
Gray argues the Liberal government is partly to blame by failing to negotiate a new softwood lumber agreement with the United States.
The last agreement expired in 2015 and new tariffs at the U-S border are making matters worse.
Conversion Therapy
Gray may have lost some support among the LGBTQ2S+ community with her contrary vote on the bill that would make conversion therapy a crime in Canada.
"Conversion therapy is abhorrent and it should be illegal," said Gray. But she voted against the bill.
At issue is the practice of putting young people into programs or treatments aimed at changing their sexual orientation or identity.
She suggested the definition of the offence is too broad in the bill as it's written.
Gray points to arguments raised at the committee for swaying her to vote against the legislation that she had previously supported.
"It would equate conversations at the same level as the abhorrent act of conversion therapy," she said.
Residential Schools
Gray argues the Liberal government to put its words into action on Indigenous affairs.
The recent discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves at residential schools in Kamloops and Saskatchewan have highlighted government inaction on the recommendations stemming from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
"We've called on the government to put together comprehensive plans to action those items," she said.
We also discussed the generous pension and expense account for disgraced former Governor General Julie Payette, and a Conservative private members bill that could make it easier to become an organ donor.
This was our first full interview in studio since the recent relaxation on COVID-19 restrictions.
Here it is, in its entirety.
Election coming?
Recent polls suggest the Liberal government with a healthy lead over the Conservatives with a chance to form a majority government, and pundits say we could be going to the polls as early as September.
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