Rookie MP Steinley learning the ropes in Ottawa

Warren Steinley is treating his first few weeks on the job in Ottawa as the newly elected MP for Regina-Lewvan as something akin to high school.

“You go and meet everyone, feel out where everyone sits in the caucus meeting … The chair you pick is the chair you sit in for the next four years,” he said recently.

More than a month after the Liberals earned a minority government in the federal election, Steinley will be a member of the Opposition with the Conservatives as MPs begin sitting on Thursday.

After serving eight years as a Saskatchewan MLA — always as a member of a Sask. Party majority government — he’ll be adjusting to life across the floor.

“We had training from the O.L.O., the Office of the Leader of the Opposition,” he said. “We had some fun times; we went through Question Period practice … It was interesting to be on the Opposition side asking questions. That was the first time I was able to do that.”

For most of the first week in November, Steinley hunkered down in Ottawa with other fellow new MPs, learning the ropes of everything from accreditation and access to where is the best food on Parliament  Hill.

“The menu (in the cafeteria) in West Block looks pretty good,” Steinley said.

“Then in the House of Commons building across the street, we’re all assigned House liaison officers. Mine took us through the cafeteria and said the chef’s special is always pretty good and goes for a decent price.”

Steinley figured Ottawa’s restaurant scene will have enough good options, too.

It has reminded him of some advice he received back home.

“The biggest concern I have is to make sure to eat healthy, because you’re in a situation where you’re eating out a lot and you want to make sure you’re making good choices,” Steinley said. “My wife reminded me of that for sure.”

He’s not yet sure about where he’ll live when he’s staying Ottawa — by himself or with a few other MPs — because he hopes to bring out his wife and three kids to stay with him sometimes.

Aside from taking care of the day-to-day orientation items on his checklist, Steinley is still soaking in the fact he has been elected by voters to represent them in Ottawa.

The feeling hit him when he first walked into the House of Commons.

“It’s a feeling of gratitude,” he said. “You think about everyone that worked so hard to help you win the seat. That’s the first thing that went through my mind, the hundreds of volunteers we had on the election to help us win. You’re overwhelmed by the support it takes to get you to that moment.”

That moment was a good reminder of why Regina-Lewvan voters sent him to Ottawa — to represent them.

To that end, as a member of the Opposition in a minority government, Steinley said he’s focused on building partnerships with MPs across the floor to the benefit of his constituents.

“We’re speaking on behalf of (them), and that’s the message they want us to deliver when we’re in the House of Commons,” he said.

He’s using the advice of his role model — former MLA, lieutenant governor and senator Jack Wiebe — for that.

“You remember why you’re there, and the people you serve,” Steinley said. “That’s one thing Jack really instilled in a lot of people he met.”