Robert Barron, The Daily News (Nanaimo)

Stephen Harper’s Tories shouldn’t expect an easy Parliamentary session this fall, despite having a majority government for the first time and an arguably leaderless NDP opposition, says Jean Crowder.

Crowder, the NDP MP for Nanaimo-Cowichan…

“The Harper government may feel that it has the mandate to do what it wants now that it has a majority government, but it’s a fact that it only received about 40% of the vote in the election,” Crowder said, adding she intends to focus on the needs of her riding as Parliament resumes.

“I spent a great deal of time this summer talking to the people in my constituency, and they have made it clear that they want to see more money put towards skills training and child care,” she said.