The words of Glen Pearson MP London North

"When Parliament first began to function following Confederation, local MPs traveled sometimes for months or weeks to attend political sessions in Ottawa.They came as the extended voices of their ridings and they acted as though the House of Commons was there to look after the interests of their respective constituents. They knew there was more to it than that, naturally, and that the country of Canada couldn't survive without all regions cooperating in the national interest. But they were there for their communities primarily.

I just came from a meeting with numerous families who have been in the process of adopting overseas children through the Imagine agency that recently filed for bankruptcy. They gathered in reflection and pain and confusion as to what to do next. Some have $30,000 invested in the process and they are hurting. My wife and I were asked to attend because of our own adoption of three children from Sudan and we respectfully accepted the invitation. Following an hour of venting their frustrations and developing plans of action, they asked that I address them as an MP.

Walking to the front, I felt humbled and just a little incapable. What could you say to a group of determined and dedicated families such as these? Yet as I turned to speak to them I saw faces full of longing. They were at sea, slightly lost, with a sense they might be experiencing the end of a dream. Emotion ran through me as I comprehended that they were looking to government to make it happen, to bring about a successful resolution to the difficulties. What followed was a heart-to-heart, like few times I've experienced in politics, as we as human beings poured out our hopes and fears.

Parliament, the House of Commons, national government – none of these truly matter if we get times like these wrong. Like MPs of old, you learn that it is moments like these that form the substance of any democratic function. Question Period seems a million miles away and hugely irrelevant, which it truly is. Constituents, your people, are hoping for understanding … and action. And if it's handled properly, a fascinating exchange occurs. People burdened by problems and obstacles a plenty are given a small sense of hope that something can happen. And the MP? What he or she gets is remarkable and represents one of the most precious gifts of public service – the trust from their constituents that you will gather up their hopes and concerns and prompt the great machine of government to humble itself in the cause of even just a few of its deserving citizens.

All I could do was promise them by best, and as I thanked them for the great honor of just being with them, the respectful applause that followed reminded me why I got into politics in the first place. The exchange had succeeded and I was better for it. My wife and I drove back home and reflected on what a fine and committed group of people we had just encountered. They had looked to us in hope and given us trust and respect in return. If only Ottawa worked like this."

To see more of Glen's thoughts you can visit his blog at: http://www.glenpearson.ca/blog/