The appearance of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the recent investment summit in Toronto likely upset a few federal Conservatives and federal Liberals. Conservatives because it was a signature event of Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney and Liberals because more than a few still likely harbour ill feelings to the man who was Canada’s last Conservative prime minister. But, in reality, Harper was fulfilling the role that former prime ministers or premiers have filled for decades, coming together across party lines at times when it was most needed by a province or a country.

We have seen the same type of cross-party support in times of financial crisis or attacks such as those that happened on Sept. 11, 2001. At times when the national unity of the country has been challenged, such as during past Quebec sovereignty referendums, there has also been a coming together across political party lines. That is also the case currently in Alberta ahead of their vote on issues of sovereignty where former United Conservative Premier Jason Kenney and former NDP Premier Rachel Notley have put aside past differences to speak together about the importance of Alberta staying in Canada.

In fact, this is something that current Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also recognized after Mr. Harper’s appearance at the investment summit. He noted that it was the right thing for Mr. Harper to be at the investment summit because Conservatives have always put Canada first. That is the right response, even though Mr. Poilievre is in a difficult position in the current political environment.

There is little doubt that Canadians feel that the current economic threat that has been created by the U.S. administration moving away from the decades long broad agreements on free trade is among the most serious that Canada has faced in a long time. And most Canadians would value seeing their political leaders come together during this time to meet this challenge. But it is also the job of the Official Opposition to ask important questions and to ensure there is transparency and accountability for the very serious decisions that are being made. Holding the government to account while still maintaining a team Canada posture is a difficult line to walk for any opposition.

Steinbach churches are conducting their annual youth group food drive from Oct. 5-8 to support South East Helping Hands, the food bank located in Steinbach.

It is a decades-old tradition in which more than a dozen churches come together to raise donations for the food bank with hundreds of teenagers going door-to-door in Steinbach and Blumenort, delivering flyers and later collecting food donations.

Grace Mennonite Church co-pastor Kyle Penner said 14 churches are collaborating on the food drive.

“In the next six days, everybody in Steinbach and Blumenort should receive a little piece of paper hanging on their door telling them which church and which night of the week will be collecting the food,” Penner said.

As summer winds down and fall approaches, the community of Oakbank prepares for another season of harvest. While the leaves begin to turn and the fields near their final yield, local farmers are working hard to bring in their crops. This time of year, often invites reflection and for our community, it also marks the end of a significant chapter in Oakbank’s agricultural history.

After more than a century the Bredin family farm has ceased operation, and has rented the land out to other area farmers.

The farm’s legacy dates back to 1891, when Michael Ruttig, a newcomer from Eastern Europe, settled in the Oakbank area and began cultivating the land. Just a few years later, in 1895, he became one of the founding members of the Oakbank Baptist Church, a congregation that remains closely connected to the Bredin family today. The original farm encompassed a significant portion of land between Vernon Road and Main Street, an area that has since evolved into residential neighbourhoods, schools, and commercial developments.

Later in life, Michael passed the farm on to his daughter Hulda, who married into the Wilde family. The Wildes carried on the family farm.

This past week marked the return to Parliament after the summer recess. Members of Parliament spent the summer reconnecting with their communities, meeting with constituents, and listening to the concerns Canadians are facing.

There is always a certain buzz in Ottawa when Parliament resumes— a feeling I have experienced every fall since I entered politics over 12 years ago. Fall can bring a sense of new beginnings and renewed hope. But this year, that anticipation is accompanied by something else: a growing sense of trepidation.

I returned to a new committee this fall and will now be serving on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Its role is to provide parliamentary oversight of how the government manages and spends public money. At our first meeting, our sense of concern was reinforced.

We examined the Auditor General’s report on RCMP recruitment and learned that during the six-month period under audit, there was a net increase of only 62 officers with some departures outpacing new hires.