New opposition leader takes charge

By Martin Shields Member of Parliament Bow River Riding

As a member of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, I’m happy to welcome our new leader, the Hon. Erin O’Toole. I was proud to support Erin in both the 2017 and 2020 leadership races, and I look forward to seeing him present a new, positive vision for Canada in the House of Commons.

I believe the leadership race was a competitive and passionate exchange of ideas. I extend my sincerest thanks to the other candidates: MP Derek Sloan, Dr. Leslyn Lewis and the Hon. Peter MacKay. All of these candidates earned considerable support from Conservative Party members in our riding, and I believe they deserve our utmost respect for putting their names forward and running effective campaigns. I am happy to learn that Dr. Lewis has indicated she plans to run as a candidate for our party in the next federal election. 

With the leadership race behind us, it’s time to come together as a united, effective Opposition and prepare to defeat the Liberals in the next election. Canadians are tired of Trudeau’s incompetence and ethical transgressions, and our country can’t afford another term of Liberal governance. In Western Canada in particular we have seen our economy suffer enormously under this Liberal government, and I was pleased to see that Erin O’Toole put western alienation at the top of his agenda on his first day as leader. We need to see respect for western interests and concerns in Ottawa, not the blatant disregard and targeting of our resource industry that this Liberal government has exhibited. 

Trudeau has now presided over the SNC Lavalin, WE charity, Vice-Admiral Norman and Aga Khan scandals. He has accumulated mountains of new debt, even before the pandemic and resulting downturn, leaving our finances grossly unprepared to deal with it. He has implemented economically destructive policies. I’m excited that we now have a new leader to present Canadians with a real alternative, grounded in conservative principles and reflecting the demands of the 2020s. Erin served proudly in the Canadian military, followed by a successful career in the private sector and as a minister in the Harper government. His first speeches as leader have outlined a bold vision for Canada under a new Conservative government. I know that the platform our party will introduce under Erin O’Toole will offer a real, positive alternative to the Liberals, and I hope that those looking for a change will consider our Conservative Party of Canada going forward. 

As always, my Ottawa office can be reached at martin.shields@parl.gc.ca. My Brooks office can be reached at 403-793-6775 or martin.shields.c1@parl.gc.ca, and my Strathmore office at 403-361-2980 or martin.shields.c1B@parl.gc.ca. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.