Shields to not seek re-election

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bow River Riding MP Martin Shields announced Feb. 7 that he will not seek to be re-elected in the next federal election.

Shields has served three terms as MP for Bow River Riding, comprising the last 10 years of his career. Prior to this, he served on Brooks city council for three terms. 

“I believe that other people should have the opportunity to be in an elected place, and so the same goes for being an MP. I think it is a great riding full of great people … and other people should have the opportunity to represent this riding,” said Shields. “I am not dying of any disease – I have often been asked that … there is wear and tear, no doubt physically in doing this job because you spend a lot of time traveling and in the riding, back and forth to Ottawa. I think it comes down to, it is someone else’s turn to know about the great people and represent them in the Bow River Riding.”

In total, the riding consists of nearly 120,000 residents, spanning across more than 60 communities ranging from urban Chestermere in the west to rural Linden, Taber, and Tilley in the north, south, and east, respectively. 

Shields explained among his accomplishments while serving as MP, was the unanimous passing of a private members bill in the House of Commons recognizing farmers and ranchers as true stewards and conservationists of the lands which they work on.

“That was something important to me because I really believe that is what farmers and ranchers are. They are our chief stewards of the land, and in this riding, that is a significant factor,” he said. “Also, in the House of Commons, I was able to bring attention to the issues and speak about those issues that were important to the riding. In the riding itself, I think getting out there and meeting people to understand what their issues were and what their challenges are.”

He added his advice to the incoming MP is that each of the communities which comprise the riding are important, from big to small. 

“Whether it is Chestermere or whether it is Milo, Swalwell, Taber, all communities are important. Making sure that you spend time in those communities and meeting people in those communities from the largest to small, they are all important,” he said. “Get to know the communities in the riding and spend time in them whether it is a July 1 parade in a large community or a Remembrance Day ceremony … to the March 17 parade … all of those things are important in communities. Do not sit in an office somewhere and wait for people to come visit you.”

Following the end to his term, Shields said he intends to be a regular Brooks community citizen and spend time volunteering with organizations such as the local Rotary Club.