Incumbent Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs is seeking re-election as the Conservative candidate for the riding.
“I’m hopeful that I’ve demonstrated to the residents of the Lakeland that I’m a passionate, capable, and dedicated representative of the communities in our area,” she explained. “I think, especially with my work on rural crime, oil and gas, and for pipelines, I hope that I’ve demonstrated that I understand the priorities of the people that I represent and I take my job seriously. I want to keep earning their trust and confidence.”
Since being elected in 2015, Stubbs said she has spent a lot of time correcting myths about the Canadian oil and gas industry, fighting for pipelines, advocating against Bill C-69 and C-48, and has worked with municipalities, indigenous communities, and oil and gas proponents to talk about the significance of resource developments locally and across Canada.
“I believe, as I said in the last campaign, the riding is one of the most important economic regions in the country and that’s been one of the main issues I’ve been fighting for the last few years, because of the damage of the Liberal’s policies to responsible resource development, oil and gas, and agriculture.”
The local Conservative candidate is the vice-chair of the Standing Committee for Natural Resources and was appointed the official opposition shadow minister by Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer in August 2017.
She described rural crime as “one of my very top concerns” as it’s often a topic brought up by constituents.
“I’ve really tried to make it a priority federally and frankly, to the Liberal government, which is very urban-centric, I think they don’t actually really care about residents in the communities in rural Alberta,” she exclaimed.
Currently, the Lakeland-native lives just outside of Two Hills on a farm with her husband. She has a diverse background, and held positions with Alberta’s Wildrose Party as director of legislative affairs for the official opposition house leader.
Stubbs realized during the previous campaign, especially when debates surrounding the oil and gas sector came up, that she was confident in her ability to represent the region.
“Given my background working on energy issues before I was elected and running in the riding where I grew up and currently live, it just struck me that I was the right person for the right job with the support of so many people right across the riding to become a member of parliament and represent us.”
After being approached by members of the constituency to run in 2015, she considered the possibility.
“I talked to a lot of people in different communities in the area, lots of contacts, family, and friends right across the riding. I asked a bunch of people if they thought it would be something I should do, if they would help me if I did, and I got lots of positive feedback,” recalled Stubbs.
If re-elected, she stressed she would continue to work hard for her constituents.
“I would have no plans whatsoever to slow down, and will never take for granted the responsibility that the people of the Lakeland have given me. I’m very proud of our riding, of the people there, and the communities.”
She added, “After the election, we don’t know what will happen if we’re in opposition, or if we’re in government, but I have every intention to keep working just as hard as I have these past four years and continue to demonstrate to the residents of the Lakeland that I’m dedicated to this position to keep fighting hard for them.”
Canadians will head to the polls on, or before, Oct. 21, 2019. Along with Stubbs, People’s Party of Canada candidate Alain Houle
and Libertarian Robert McFadzean, will be on the ballot in hopes of becoming the Lakeland’s next MP.
