Angry in the Great White North

On the floor of the House of Commons yesterday:

Mr. Lee Richardson (Calgary Centre, CPC): Mr. Speaker, in the past two weeks, Calgary and southern Alberta were hammered by torrents of rain, with creeks and rivers rising to levels not seen in decades.

Thankfully, the worst seems to be behind us and the efforts of countless volunteers and emergency workers helped to reduce the damaging impact.

With both the Bow and Elbow Rivers flowing through my riding of Calgary Centre, I saw firsthand the risk that the rising waters posed. A state of emergency was declared.

True to our western heritage, these challenging times also brought out the true spirit of Calgarians. It was truly inspiring to see neighbour helping neighbour, pulling together to lend a hand.

As a Calgarian, I offer my sincere thanks to all those who volunteered their services, as well as the numerous city officials, Mayor Dave Bronconnier, Alberta Emergency Measures and Premier Klein, for their leadership and support throughout.

No mention of the only Liberal MP from Alberta, Anne McLellan, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. And no mention of the Prime Minister. No acknowledgement of any federal leadership in this country.

It's no wonder. Suddenly the Liberals have become the guardians of provincial rights:

Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan said it's up to Alberta -- not Ottawa -- to decide whether federal flood assistance dollars will start flowing toward the waterlogged province.

So far, she said, the federal government has heard no calls for help.

Like you need to be invited to get on a airplane to fly to Edmonton and personally deliver a message to Albertans that whatever level of help they need, including none at all if they so choose, will be forthcoming as soon as they give the word.

Well, the sensitivity of the Liberals has been duly noted and is now part of the Parliamentary record.