On Parliament Hill

Last Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his new Cabinet. It is clear from the many familiar faces, as far as Justin Trudeau is concerned, it’s business as usual.

In last month’s Federal Election, Justin Trudeau lost more than a million votes and lost seats in every region of the country, reducing the Liberals to a minority government. A new Cabinet represented an opportunity for him to show Canadians he was listening to them. That he’d learned from his mistakes and was willing to adjust course.

Instead, the Prime Minister offered more of the same with an uninspiring lineup of ministers – the same ministers who are responsible for the affordability crisis, ethical failings, and national unity challenges that have plagued his government and continue to hurt Canadians.

By keeping Bill Morneau in Finance, Justin Trudeau has chosen to double down on his never-ending deficits, wasteful spending, and tax hikes that make life less affordable for Canadians.

Keeping Justice Minister David Lametti in the position of Attorney General shows Justin Trudeau learned nothing from the SNC Lavalin scandal.

In the important infrastructure portfolio, Justin Trudeau’s decision to appoint former Environment Minister Catherine McKenna – who imposed Mr. Trudeau’s Carbon tax and seriously damaged the federal government’s relationships with many provinces, including Manitoba – signals a rough road for federal/provincial collaboration on infrastructure priorities.

As your MP, I find all these moves (or lack thereof) concerning. However, as MP for a rural riding, none more so than Justin Trudeau’s decision to put both Rural Economic Development and the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality in the care of a single minister.

Such a move shows just how little Justin Trudeau cares about rural Canadians, and likely means neither portfolio will be given the attention they deserve.

In an attempt to pretend he was in tune with the needs or rural Canadians, the Prime Minister only appointed a Rural Economic Development Minister mere months before the election. Now that the election is over, he has decided Rural Economic Development is just not that important to him.

Moreover, Mr. Trudeau’s track record of prioritizing gender issues leaves me with little hope that Rural Economic Development will be given the attention that rural Canadians deserve.

More than six million Canadians live in rural communities. They have unique needs and concerns. They deserve a government that will champion those needs, not treat them like an afterthought.

I will continue to be a voice for the needs of rural Canadians, as our Conservative team works to hold the Liberal Government accountable.