After a summer spent preparing his constituency offices, new MP Ed Komarnicki is anxious to get down to work in Ottawa, with the House of Commons set to resume sitting on Monday, Oct. 4.

Addressing the Weyburn Rotary Club on Thursday, the MP said he's been busy setting up his offices, including opening his Weyburn constituency office on Thursday. His Ottawa office has been set up as well, with former MP Roy Bailey's assistant Doug Cryer now signed on as his own legislative assistant also.

The rookie MP has been appointed to the shadow cabinet for the Alliance Party, as the labour and housing critic, utilizing his experience as a lawyer.

"I will be honest to my convictions and will support what I believe to be true. I will study the issues and apply myself the best I can," he told the members of Rotary.

He indicated agriculture will certainly be a big concern of his as well, with the ongoing BSE crisis needing immediate attention. He noted a meeting of Alliance MPs on this issue attracted 45 MPs, so the interest is there in the Opposition to see a solution worked out for this issue.

The World Trade Organization is one area that needs attention as well and can have a negative impact on the farming community unless Canada takes a stronger stand.

"We want everyone to play by the rules. If we move too quickly, will the farming industry be protected? I for one believe as a country we have to decide, will we protect our farmers, and if we do, it's going to cost us something. We need to be very careful at this time," said Komarnicki.

On the contentious issue of same-sex marriage that has arisen in Canada in recent years, Komarnicki stated his position as supporting the traditional definition of one-man-one-woman, and makes no apologies for his stand, admitting not everyone in the Alliance Party agrees with that position.

When the session was opened to questions, he was asked if the Canadian Wheat Board will ever be free of challenges from the United States.

"You almost wonder if that's political more than anything else. You start to wonder what they're up to," replied the MP, pointing out we are "living next to a large partner who can exercise their influence" so we have to be careful sometimes.

Rotary member Vic Wiebe asked what is stance was on representation by population, and the MP answered, "I have not come to a position on that, I'm still ambivalent." He added he is also open to hear comments on the issue if any constituents have a view on the subject.

Member Brent Allin noted the newly merged Conservative Party is relatively new, and asked if he could distinguish the mood of the party in caucus meetings, and whether there's any difference between western and eastern MPs.

Komarnicki said he's met people from different areas, and hasn't really seen any demarcation between east and west in the party.

"I think it's a great time to grow and to join together and form government. I think there are some Conservative views that may have been rigid before that may have to change. I for one am a more socially responsible kind of person, but I haven't experienced any difficulties yet," he said.

"I do believe our country is at a critical time in our history. Some of our values that are important to ourselves will be challenged."