Shields new conservative representative

Times Reporter     

 

Members of the Conservative Party of Canada have voted, and candidate Martin Shields, mayor of Brooks, was selected as the representative for the federal conservative party for the Bow River Riding, formerly the Crowfoot riding. 

Shields, if successful in the next federal election, could become the new Member of Parliament (MP) for Strathmore and area, replacing current MP Kevin Sorenson who will stay in the Crowfoot riding due to the boundaries of the ridings. 

“I ran because of the belief from a lot of people that said we need a representative from the constituency that has a lot of experience, both at the provincial and federal level,” said Shields. 

Experience is exactly what Shields has, having represented cities of Alberta on a provincial board, and having done constituency work both provincially and federally. Shields has also been the mayor of the city of Brooks for three terms now. 

With a year until the election may be called, Shields plans to adjust his current obligations slightly when it comes to some of the boards he sits on. He also plans to get out into the constituency every chance he gets. 

“Throughout this next year when there’s opportunities to be at events (I’ll be there). I’m very familiar with the mayor and councillors of both Strathmore and Chestermere, for example, because I have a working relationship in another place, but now I will be at more events,” said Shields. 

Until an election is called people aren’t really paying too much attention to the candidates, because there isn’t that chance yet to cast a vote and an opinion. 

“It’s a challenge in between, but I’m in the constituency, I’ve been in the constituency a fair amount and I’ll continue to do so. I am from the constituency, I have lived here for almost 40 years. I was born in Lethbridge, grew up in the Ag sector and said it’s a part of the world that I know and believe in and so I’m going to be in it,” said Shields. 

Sorenson was happy to see the number of candidates that put their name in for a shot as the representative, stating the importance of giving people the choice of who will represent them, and that a good choice was made. 

“Martin I have known for many, many years. He has certainly served well as the mayor of Brooks, he has a great record there and I know that he will be a very strong candidate for the conservative party in the next election,” said Sorenson.

“Part of the disappointment for me is losing the southern part of this constituency. It has been my pleasure to represent it since 2004, and I certainly have made many friends and have worked closely with many people from the south and I’ve worked hard to try and represent them to the best of my ability.

“I guess it makes me feel a little bit better knowing there will be good candidates representing our party down there, and Martin Shields I think will do an excellent job, I look forward to working with him.”

There’s speculation that the next federal election will be called October 2015.