Thank you for your trust

I would like to thank you – the constituents of the Battlefords-Lloydminster riding for again placing your trust in me as your Member of Parliament.    I remain a strong advocate for our region and continue to represent your interests and principles in the House of Commons all the while holding the Liberal government to account.

In opposition for the next four years we will be pushing rather than pulling the government in the right direction.  As the newly appointed International Trade Critic, and having been a part of over 40 trade agreements during my tenure as Minister of Agriculture, it’s familiar territory, and a challenge that I look forward to.  

We are only a few months into this Liberal government and I have had to take the Minister of International Trade to task for dithering over the signing and subsequent ratification process of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  While the Minister has finally decided to sign the trade agreement, she insists on holding endless consultations to decide whether to ratify.  Typically, signing a trade deal, though it is a technical step, it is a significant step, that indicates your intention to implement.  However, as we’ve seen with previous Liberal governments, endless consultation and inaction is a recognizable but unfortunate pattern.

As the federal representative of a riding with both a strong oil and gas industry and agricultural sector that rely on market access, I recognize the importance of rules based trade agreements that will reach jurisdictions beyond the Canadian marketplace.  I understand the need and desire to open more trade agreements.   I will continue to push the Liberal government to ratify both TPP and CETA and hold them to their commitment of opening up more trade avenues that will ensure the overall continued success of Canadian businesses and that will benefit our Canadian economy.