Should citizen files go to newly elected MPs or be shredded?

Some new NDP members of Parliament are complaining that their predecessors have left them with nothing but empty filing cabinets and shredded paper.

The New Democrat MPs say defeated members from other parties destroyed constituent files instead of passing them on, potentially delaying ongoing cases involving citizens in their ridings.

"It's not punishing the new MP as much as it's punishing citizens and honestly they don't deserve to have that happen to them," said NDP Quebec caucus chair Guy Caron.

There are no rules about handing over constituent documents after an election, so it's up to defeated MPs to decide whether to pass them down or destroy them.

House of Commons spokeswoman Heather Bradley said most MPs opt for the shredder because they consider citizen information to be personal, but it's not always the case.

"I know in some offices the office staff actually give the information back to the constituent... Then they (the citizens) take up the file with the new member (of Parliament)," said Bradley.

Caron himself received documents from his Bloc Quebecois predecessor, who told him he had been left with nothing when he first took office.
"I think it really affected him and he didn't want me to experience the same thing he experienced," Caron said.

Caron argues that since an MP represents all citizens, files should move along seamlessly, regardless of political stripes.

Do you think there should be rules about how constituent files are handed over to new MPs after an election? Should the files be passed down to the next MP automatically, or should citizen privacy be considered in each case? Let us know what you think.



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