Falk seeks reelection in fifth campaign

Affordability is the main issue incumbent Conservative candidate Ted Falk said he’s hearing as he visits Provencher residents during his fifth federal election campaign.

And while he has enjoyed strong support ranging from a low of 48.7 percent of the vote in 2021 to a high of 65.9 percent in 2019, he’s not taking anything for granted.

“I think I have to go out there and earn every single vote and that’s why we go door knocking, that’s why we put up signs,” he said.

Despite polling showing a Liberal resurgence, Falk said he feels there can be a Conservative majority government.

“I think change is what Canadians want and that’s what we want to bring,” he said.

Falk first became the Conservative MP for Provencher in a 2013 byelection.

That came after years of being involved in the community, including sitting on the SCU board for 24 years, 17 as chair and president, running Diamond Construction and Gravel with a partner for 29 years and being a member of the Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church for nearly 50 years.

He said deciding to seek a fifth term was easy for him.

“I’ve been excited and anticipating the Conservatives forming government again and I think under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre it is looking very optimistic that we do have a chance of forming government,” he said.

Falk said the country needs positive change.

While eliminating the carbon tax has been a Conservative priority for years, the Liberals have lowered the rate to zero percent for the consumer portion.

But that doesn’t fit the definition of “axing the tax” according to Falk.

“He’s put a pause on it. He hasn’t axed the tax, it’s still on the books,” Falk said. “The legislation is all there to have the tax in place. We would take it off the books.”

“It actually was Carney’s influence in the background with Justin Trudeau as a senior economic advisor that actually influenced the carbon tax in the first place,” he added.

Falk also criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney for having the position while being unelected.

In fact, five of 23 or nearly 22 percent of Canada’s prime ministers served some time in office without having a seat.

But Falk said many of them had at least been elected before in some capacity.

“He’s never been tested by the public or had any political experience and now he’s the prime minister,” he said.

Tax cuts have become a major promise for all political parties. The Conservatives have promised to cut the lowest tax rate to 12.75 percent and will also exempt an additional $10,000 of income from taxation that is earned by working seniors as well as eliminating the GST on new home purchases up to $1.3 million.

Falk said the Conservatives will also target and eliminate wasteful foreign aid, but added effective and necessary spending will remain.

“That is who we are as Canadians and I think Pierre recognizes that as well,” he said of Canada’s willingness to help others in need.

Conservatives will also implement a blue seal designation that will allow doctors and nurses in Canada without credentials to challenge exams and expedite the process.

Falk pointed out that currently 20,000 doctors and 32,000 nurses from other countries are not able to be accredited.

Falk added he believes the Conservatives are the right party to lead Canada in the face of 51st state rhetoric and the tariff war.

“Donald Trump will do what Donald Trump wants to do,” he said. “I think Pierre has got the skill that it takes to actually have a conversation with him and negotiate a good deal for Canada while at the same time absolutely defending Canada’s sovereignty.”

“He won’t cave in to Donald Trump,” he added. “He’s made that very clear. He will stand up to Donald Trump and defend Canadian sovereignty.”

While the tariff war is making headlines, in Provencher the main election is affordability, Falk said.

Although the Conservatives have a record for opposing new social services like pharmacare and dental care, Falk said while the programs may see changes, benefits will not be lost to those who have them. He said their approach is to leave more money in people’s pockets.

“There’s less requirement for social programs when you’ve got good paying jobs,” he said. “Social programs should be directed to people who are unable to work.”

He pointed to some benefits that he said make sense, including the Canada Child Benefit which was originally created as the Universal Canada Child Benefit in 2006, and then changed by the Liberals into a more generous program.

“I talk to lots of people who really appreciate the help they get,” he said.

Falk said he appreciates the support he gets in the riding, saying his track record in the community including his work with minor hockey, Steinbach Credit Union, his local church and his business are well known.

Strong support of agriculture and a plan to bring positive change for Canadians including an energy corridor and responsible resource extraction are aspects he hopes will draw people to the Conservative campaign.

Falk has also worked under six party leaders and during time in government he served on a variety of committees. He’s looking forward to that again.

“I’m very excited to get back to Ottawa and form a majority government,” he said. “I think change is what Canadians want and that’s what we want to bring.”

“We will put Canada first,” he added. “We don’t have globalist elite ambitions.”