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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 2, 2007 - 3 Flynn named Parliamentary Assistant to Environment Minister It's not a cabinet position, but Oakville MPP likes new assignment By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Still beaming from his recent election victory, Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn received more good news on Tuesday when the Liberal government appointed him to the position of Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of the Environment. The appointment, which was part of Premier Dalton McGuinty's post-election Queen's Park shuffle, will require Flynn to work with Ontario's Minister of the Environment John Gerretsen to carry out the expectations McGuinty places on the ministry. "It's an exciting opportunity for me because I've always had an interest in environmental issues, even before it was popular to be inclined that way," said Flynn. "Climate change, conservation, endangered species, global warming and those sorts of things are what I think people are extremely concerned about." The experience Flynn has for the position is extensive, as Flynn has served as a Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy, the Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal and the Minister of Labour. Besides experience as a parliamentary assistant in other ministries, Flynn's environmental initiatives have also won him praise. During Flynn's time as MPP he and the Ontario Liberals created the Greenbelt, a 1.8-million acre mass of protected green space. The creation of Oakville's 650 acre Glenorchy conservation area, the expansion of Bronte Provincial park by 168 acres and the protection of more than 24 acres known as wildflower woods were among the other environmental initiatives championed by Flynn. "I think we've got a pretty good track record in this area. In the first four years we were able to take a lot of steps forward and I'm looking forward to the next four years," he said. "I'm looking forward to a process that is as rigorous, if not more rigorous, than those of the past, but that can be done in a more timely manner." Flynn also noted that Oakville's environmental groups can expect the same inclusive relationship he has enjoyed with them over the past few years. "I am in contact with them anyway, that's why this position comes quite naturally to me," said Flynn. "I'm in fairly regular contact with groups like Oakvillegreen and the conservation authority. In the past I've gone on walks through the woods with Paul O'Hara, who is a local ecologist." As happy as Flynn is to have the opportunity to assist in the implementation of province's environmental policy, he admits that a cabinet position would have made him happier. With a number of cabinet positions coming up for grabs, "It's an exciting opportunity for me because I've always had an interest in environmental issues, even before it was popular to be inclined that way." Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn as McGuinty jostled the Queen's Park positions, it was widely rumored Flynn would be on the receiving end of one of them. This was not the case. "I was disappointed, obviously, that I wasn't picked this time around, but I'm happy to see that the premier is open to appointing new members of his caucus to cabinet and that he's open to new ideas," said Flynn. "I'm also really happy that I'm serving in a caucus that is just so talented. McGuinty had his pick of 70 people and each and every one of them could have been in cabinet." As far as his constituency work is concerned, Flynn says it comes first and foremost. "I look after the people who elected me," he said. 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