Dear Lethbridge constituents:
From the bottom of my heart, I wish to say thank you for once again trusting me to be your voice in Ottawa. This is a weighty role deserving of hard work, dedication, a listening ear, and dogged determination to fight for the things that serve our region best. I am committed to doing these things to the best of my ability.
During the election, my team and I were committed to knocking on as many doors as possible in order to hear from you and learn more about your concerns and hopes for our community.
Overwhelmingly, I heard from you that this election was senseless and largely unwanted. Some of you were frustrated, some were grieved, and others were outright angry.
Despite witnessing a heightened level of division and animosity in this constituency and across the country, I still gathered threads of hope and optimism for what our future could hold.
I felt there was a strong desire for this nation to be united and at peace. I heard from many of you that you want Canada to be a more devout champion of freedom here at home and around the world.
With the recent return of the two Michaels from being imprisoned in China, I can’t help but sense a yearning in the Canadian people for us to stand up once again to those who would attempt to mistreat our fellowman for political or economic advantage.
John Diefenbaker famously said,“We must vigilantly stand on guard within our own borders for human rights and fundamental freedoms which are our proud heritage…we cannot take for granted the continuance and maintenance of those rights and freedoms.”
As I take my seat in Canada’s 44th Parliament, I am committed now, more than ever, to take a stand for what have historically been known as Canadian principles.
I will defend your right to speak freely, to express yourselves appropriately without reprisal, and your freedom of conscience and belief.
I will work to form tighter relations with our allies in defence of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
I will advocate for policies and laws that limit the size of government so that you can live your lives without excessive state intervention and keep more of the money you work hard to earn.
I take my election result as a mandate from you to stand up for these principles.
As a member of the Official Opposition, I will push the government toward greater fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency; and a higher standard of ethics.
My role in opposition is to challenge the government to be the very best it can be for the Canadian people.
It is a position I deem valuable and a role I do not take lightly.
Even though I am your elected representative, it is my firm belief that you are the ones who are going to turn things around in this country. I continue to believe the power to change truly lies with the people, not with the government. I have said it before, and I will say it again, it is Canadians who are the problem-solvers, the solution-makers, and the wealth-generators, not the government.
I recognize there has been a shift in power in recent years.
More power and control is in the hands of government than with the people. This is an error, and it must be rectified. In a democracy, it is the people who are to hold the levers of power.
I will continue partnering with you to bring stability and prosperity to the riding of Lethbridge.
Together, we can work to make our community the very best it can be. We can unleash the potential that exists here for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We have the power to build something great!
It is with great humility and gratitude that I will once again take my seat in the House of Commons in the coming weeks. Thank you for this tremendous honour!
Regardless of who you voted for or the political stripe you wear, my team and I remain committed to serving you.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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