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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 19, 2015 | 16 Oakville's two new MPs sworn in on Parliament Hill by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Oakville officially has two new Members of Parliament (MP). Oakville MP John Oliver and Oakville North--Burlington MP Pam Damoff were sworn in during separate ceremonies on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Saturday. Both said it was an experience to remember. "It was moving. It was humbling. The oath that you take is the same oath that has been used since 1867," said Damoff. "I actually had to take a breath before I signed my name. Just thinking about the people who had come before me, and the trust the people of my riding have placed in me. It was really quite something." Oliver, who was sworn in earlier the same day, echoed Damoff's remarks. "I was filled with a sense of honour, duty and gratitude. I'm honoured to be representing the community of Oakville and have a strong sense of duty and commitment to the people of Oakville, to represent them well and to bring the issues of Oakville forward," said Oliver. "I also have a strong sense of gratitude for the people who have worked with me for the last year and a half to reach this point, and to my family, and others, who helped me and assisted me and, quite frankly, tolerated a lot of times where I wasn't home because I was doing Oakville MP John Oliver campaign work." Damoff said MPs are sworn in individually in the presence of a clerk for the House of Parliament and a group of family and friends. She was sworn in using a Gaelic Bible, which Damoff brought with her. The Bible, she said, was given to her greatgrandfather when he came to Canada in 1852 and she thought it was appropriate for the occasion. Oliver said the oath of allegiance to the Queen, which the new MPs take, is very short and is followed by the signing of a log featuring Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff the names of MPs dating far back into Canada's history. Both Damoff and Oliver were present for the swearing-in of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Cabinet Nov. 4. They described a celebratory atmosphere on the grounds of Parliament Hill with people ringing cowbells and children cheering as they were lifted onto their parents' shoulders for a better view. Damoff and Oliver said they were happy to see the Cabinet being made up of equal numbers of men and women. She said she was also delighted when Trudeau told a reporter he had created gender equality in his cabinet "because it's 2015." "I think that's really all that needs to be said," noted Damoff. "It's so true. It's time." Neither Oliver nor Damoff said they are disappointed they were not chosen to be part of Trudeau's Cabinet. "Any other asks that are made of me to help with the government, to help in Caucus structures I would be honoured to take on, but my goal is to be a hard-working Member of Parliament representing Oakville," said Oliver. "I want to make sure I have a very strong constituency office set up and that I have good networks into the community so that I am a truly engaged, active Member of Parliament working in Oakville to represent the community in Ottawa." Damoff said she is thrilled to be the first MP for Oakville North--Burlington, noting she feels she can make a significant contribution from this position. She said it has also been pointed out to her that, from a historical point of view, she will always be Oakville North--Burlington's first MP . Both Damoff and Oliver are in the process of setting up their constituency offices. For information on Oliver, visit www. voteoliver.ca. For information on Damoff, visit www. pamdamoff.liberal.ca.