COLUMN: On Parliament Hill – A summer of listening

This summer, I felt truly honoured to connect with so many of you—whether in Emerson, Buffalo Point, Falcon Lake, Whitemouth, or the many communities in between. From community festivals and parades to one-on-one conversations, I had the privilege of hearing directly from you about the issues that matter most to your families and to our community.

I understand your frustration with youth unemployment and how it is discouraging our next generation. I see food inflation and how many of the basics keep rising as you try to balance your budgets. I empathize with farmers fighting hidden Liberal fuel taxes that drive up the price of food. What you are asking for are reasonable and fair requests.

I often have said that Canada has the resources and capacity to be one of the richest countries in the world—yet here we are, with many families struggling to put food on their table and cover basic necessities. I fully appreciate your desire to set your children up for success. I long with you for better government policies that pave the way for opportunities and promise.

Keeping the minority Liberal government accountable is a relentless job. We are witnessing farmers and businesses being hindered and penalized by the 75 percent tariffs on Canadian canola seed, the 100 percent tariffs on Canadian peas, canola meal and oil, and the 25 percent tariffs on pork and seafood. We are expressing our concerns about how immigration is spinning out of control. We do not feel that Canadians should be living in fear of growing crime because of bad Liberal laws. We understand that 17.5 percent of students are returning to school this fall, having failed to secure a summer job. Additionally, we defend Canadian steelworkers and shipbuilders for their demonstrated skills and capacity—who shouldn’t need defending to this Liberal government.

Five months into office, four months after the election, and there are many disappointments. The pronouncement of “build, baby, build” now seems like a faint memory, far from the promises chiselled into the Liberal election campaign. The cost of living shows little sign of relief as grocery bills keep climbing. July brought steep price hikes—apples jumped 16.6 percent, beef surged 33.3 percent, and staples like soup, fruit and coffee beans all rose, leaving Canadians struggling with food inflation every time they shop. Many economists have warned of a looming recession, with some even arguing it is already here, adding to the strain of Canada’s housing and healthcare crisis.

Prime Minister Carney is not off to a strong start. Canadians are still waiting for a trade deal, while his promise of economic growth has already collapsed under the weight of a falling GDP. Instead of prosperity, we are staring at a historic $21.2-billion deficit posted between April and June. Jobs, growth, and hope are bleeding from our economy.

The parliamentary budget officer (PBO) warns the new clean fuel regulations will drive fuel prices up by 17 cents per litre by 2030, costing Canadian households an extra $136 a year. At the same time, the PBO projects that housing construction will fall well short of what is required to close the housing gap—less than half of what the Liberals promised during the election.

We were told we’d be moving at a speed not seen in generations, to build ports, railways, and energy grids. Mr. Carney said his government would do things previously thought impossible. Yet, the only speed Canadians are seeing is in the rising cost of groceries and the racing away of any realized trade deal.

Canadians need answers. People in Provencher not only need answers, but steps that move us in a changed direction.

Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to lead our next steps. We are calling on Prime Minister Carney to do what he promised and build at a scale we haven’t seen in generations, working with Conservatives in the face of external threats.