Lethbridge Herald: To Oppose Is to Defend: Why Accountability Matters in Parliament

When Canadians think of Parliament, the focus is often on the governing party or the Prime Minister. Yet, one of the most important – and often overlooked – pillars of our democracy is the Loyal Opposition.

The term Loyal Opposition originated in the United Kingdom. It reflects the idea that opposition parties may challenge government decisions while remaining loyal to the Crown and our democratic institutions. In Canada, the Loyal Opposition plays a vital role in scrutinizing legislation, questioning government actions, and offering alternative policies.

This is essential for transparency, accountability, and protecting the rights of Canadians.

As a member of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, I take this responsibility seriously. My Conservative colleagues and I are committed to holding the government to account and defending the interests of everyday Canadians. This past session of Parliament was a clear demonstration of that work in action.

The session began with a glaring omission from the Liberal government: no spring budget. It has now been over a year since the last federal budget was tabled—an unacceptable lack of transparency. Budgets are a basic accountability tool that allow Canadians to see where their tax dollars are going. In response, Conservatives successfully passed an amendment to the Throne Speech demanding that the government table a spring budget. Despite support from all opposition parties, the Liberals still refused. This is a blatant sign of disrespect to the taxpayers who foot the bill.

Budget or not, my Conservative colleagues and I will continue to scrutinize every spending measure to ensure that Canadians’ money is being used wisely and responsibly.

Another major piece of legislation introduced was Bill C-2, “The Strong Borders Act.” This bill was tabled after years of Liberal negligence that weakened our borders and enabled dangerous activity, including the flow of illegal drugs. While some aspects of the bill attempt to address legitimate concerns, others raise serious red flags. For instance, Part 4 would grant Canada Post the authority to open and search private mail—an unacceptable violation of Canadians’ right to privacy. This bill will be debated in the fall, and you can be assured that my colleagues and I will stand firm in defending your civil liberties as we push back against this dangerous legislation.

Similarly, Bill C-5, known as the “One Canadian Economy” bill, was introduced to promote economic growth—but it falls far short of what Canadians truly need. After a decade of Liberal mismanagement, our economy is in desperate need of major projects and meaningful investment. Instead of tackling the root of the problem by repealing Bill C-48 and Bill C-69—two major roadblocks to energy development—the Liberals opted for a symbolic gesture. While they attempt to appear proactive, the minimal steps in Bill C-5 offer little real value. Conservatives worked to improve the bill by adding amendments to protect key legislation like the Criminal Code and the Conflict of Interest Act, closing dangerous loopholes and reinforcing transparency. Still, what Canadians really needed was a bold overhaul—not more Liberal half-measures.

Beyond opposing flawed bills, Conservatives have also introduced common-sense motions aimed at improving the lives of Canadians. One such motion sought to end the government’s unrealistic zero-emission vehicle mandate—a policy that would force Canadians into electric vehicles regardless of personal needs or regional realities. While the motion didn’t pass, it stood for something important: your right to choose the vehicle that works for your lifestyle.

We also fought to expose Liberal corruption. A recent report from the Auditor General confirmed that tens of millions of taxpayer dollars were handed over to GC Strategies for work that was never delivered. Conservatives not only grilled the government on this scandal, but we also introduced a motion to recover the money. With the help of other opposition parties, the motion passed. This was a win for accountability and for every Canadian who expects their government to act with integrity.

Each of these wins shows the critical role of a principled, focused opposition. These victories don’t just belong to the Conservative Party—they belong to all Canadians. They demonstrate what happens when opposition MPs stand firm in defence of the people they represent.

As John Diefenbaker wisely said:"If Parliament is to be preserved as a living institution, His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition must fearlessly perform its functions. When it properly discharges them, the preservation of our freedom is assured. The reading of history proves that freedom always dies when criticism ends."

My Conservative colleagues and I will continue to fearlessly fulfill that duty—because to oppose is, indeed, to defend.

Lethbridge Herald: As Parliament Returns, Conservatives Stand for Canadians and Their Priorities

As a new session of Parliament begins, I am hearing from many people who are feeling anxious about the future. With another Liberal mandate ahead, it is understandable that some feel disheartened— frustrated by rising costs, crumbling trust in institutions, and a government that seems increasingly out of touch.

But history reminds us that even in the most uncertain times, Canadians have never been without hope.

John Diefenbaker—a prairie lawyer with prairie values—once faced a nation weary after 22 uninterrupted years of Liberal government. Against the odds, he rose to become Canada’s 13th Prime Minister.

What made Diefenbaker remarkable wasn’t just his political triumph, but his unwavering faith in the people of this country. He did not govern from above—he listened, he connected, and he gave Canadians a voice.

That belief was not just words—it was action. In the lead-up to the 1958 election, Diefenbaker famously crossed the country by train, stopping in town after town to speak directly to Canadians. At each whistle stop, he stepped onto the back platform to speak from his heart to the crowds that gathered—not just to ask for their vote, but because he believed in them. He believed their voices mattered. And Canadians responded in kind, giving him one of the largest electoral victories in our history.

That same belief in the people is what motivates my Conservative colleagues and me as we return to Parliament. Like Diefenbaker, we are committed to being a voice for everyday Canadians—the workers, builders, parents, and dreamers who deserve a government that sees them, hears them, and works for them.

We have five clear priorities for this session—shaped not in backrooms, but from conversations at doorsteps and town halls.

1. Restoring Affordability— Families across the country are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and must budget carefully. But the Liberal government has not shown the same responsibility. They haven’t created a budget yet, even though they are spending tens of billions of dollars. That’s why, with all opposition parties supporting us, our first action was to demand accountability. We passed a motion forcing the government to present a budget before summer. If they fail to comply, they will be held in contempt.

2. Rebuilding Economic Independence— Canada’s natural resources are among the best in the world, developed under strict environmental and ethical standards. Yet Liberal policies continue to stifle our energy and business sectors. We will fight to unlock Canada’s economic potential—so our communities can thrive, our businesses can grow, and our country can once again lead on the world stage.

3. Getting Homes Built— The dream of homeownership is slipping out of reach for too many, especially young Canadians. Conservatives are pushing to remove the red tape and taxes that are driving up costs and slowing down construction. We believe in a Canada where those who work hard can own a home and build a future with confidence.

4. Restoring Safety to Our Streets— From coast to coast, crime is on the rise. In fact, a recent Fraser Institute report showed that Lethbridge now has the highest rate of property crime in the country. That’s unacceptable. Conservatives will fight to end the Liberals’ reckless catch-and-release policies, support law enforcement, and restore safety in our communities.

5. Fixing a Broken Immigration System— Canada has always welcomed newcomers warmly, and we believe this should continue—done thoughtfully and responsibly. After years of Liberal mismanagement, our immigration system is stretched too thin and no longer fair. We are committed to restoring balance, focusing on better integration, and making sure the system works well for both new arrivals and those already living here.

Alongside these five priorities, we remain steadfast in defending Canada’s history, traditions, and way of life. As the Shadow Minister for Canadian Identity and Culture, I will continue to champion our heritage, resist Liberal censorship, and push to defund the CBC, which has consistently failed to steward taxpayer dollars responsibly.

Diefenbaker once said, “I am a Canadian, a free Canadian, free to speak without fear.” That freedom—of thought, of speech, and of opportunity—must remain at the heart of this country.

My Conservative colleagues and I are proud to stand as the government-in-waiting. But more importantly, we are here now—as your voice, your advocates, and your partners in building a strong, united, and hopeful Canada.

Because the hope of this country has never been found in Ottawa. It has always been found in Canadians themselves.

Lethbridge Herald: Thank You, Lethbridge—Let’s Keep Fighting for the Canada We Know and Love

To the people of Lethbridge— thank you. Whether you voted for me or not, I’m honoured to represent you in our nation’s capital and my door is always open to you. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve this community—a place I love, and people I am proud to advocate for.

Although my Conservative colleagues and I did not form government this time, we will serve as Canada’s Official Opposition—a role we embrace with conviction, urgency, and resolve.

While we may not have the levers of power, we have something just as important: the duty and determination to hold the Liberal government to account.

Canadians are feeling the consequences of a decade of Liberal mismanagement, and the signs are everywhere. Grocery bills are climbing faster than wages. Rent and mortgage payments are consuming family incomes. Small businesses are drowning in red tape and rising costs. The dream of homeownership is slipping further and further away from an entire generation.

And yet, under their new leader, Mark Carney, the Liberals continue down the same well-worn path that has left Canadians struggling. Instead of learning from their mistakes, they will persist with policies that drive up the cost of living, fuel inflation, and inhibit our energy sector, even as they import oil and gas from regimes with appalling human rights records.

They have failed to build critical infrastructure, failed to protect our streets, and failed to restore affordability for everyday Canadians.

A new leader doesn’t mean new priorities. The same Liberal insiders are still calling the shots, and their focus remains far removed from the realities faced by working people.

Rather than empowering Canadians, Prime Minister Carney has indicated that he will continue to expand bureaucracy, centralize power, and impose a top-down agenda that punishes hard work, discourages entrepreneurship, and undermines the values that built this country.

By contrast, Conservatives offer a different path—a path built on freedom, personal responsibility, fiscal discipline, and respect for Canadians. We believe that a government’s job is not to micromanage your life, but to create the conditions for you to succeed. We believe in unlocking the power of our natural resources, standing up for victims, strengthening our borders, and restoring law and order to our communities. We believe in the promise of Canada— that anyone, no matter their background, can build a good life through hard work, personal responsibility, and the freedom to pursue opportunity— and we are committed to making sure that promise is not lost.

In the coming term, I will continue to advocate for our community in Ottawa. I will speak up for farmers and ranchers, for seniors and small businesses, for students and young families. I will stand against policies that drive up the cost of living, that erode our national sovereignty, and that leave our most vulnerable behind. My work in Parliament will be guided by the same values I was raised with—hard work, integrity, and service to others.

To the people of Lethbridge: your support means the world to me. I know that trust must be earned every day, not just at election time. I am here to listen, to advocate, and to fight for what matters to you. Together, we will defend the principles that have made this community strong and preserve the legacy we are building for future generations.