We will be publishing these results in order they were received.
Name: Rosemarie Falk
Age: 33
Running for: Conservative Candidate for Battlefords-Lloydminster
Profession: Incumbent Member of Parliament/social work
Currently residing in: Lloydminster, Sask
Previous political experience: Incumbent Member of Parliament
Who is your political hero?
I admire Margaret Thatcher. She was a strong, principled and outspoken leader of her time.
What inspired you to enter the election race?
I was first motivated to enter federal politics in 2017 when I was seeing firsthand the harmful impact of Justin Trudeau’s policies. I put my name on the ballot to stand up for our local economy, rural communities, families and taxpayers. That has always been my priority and it remains my priority.
What topics are most important to you in this federal election?
Getting our country back on track and securing a strong future for our local economies, rural communities, families and taxpayers.
Are you concerned about the short campaign timeline for this election?
I am making the most of every campaign day to connect with as many voters as possible throughout the riding to share our comprehensive Conservative Canada Recovery Plan to get our country back on track.
What supports, if any, do you feel are needed to help businesses and residents with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic?
As we navigate out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to get our country back on track. We need a plan to help create jobs and boost the economy.
Our Conservative Canada Recovery Plan commits to recovering jobs in every region of the country and every sector of the economy. One way that we will help create jobs is through the creation of a Canada Jobs Surge Plan that will pay up to 50 per cent of the salary of net new hires for six months following the end of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
Conservatives will also take targeted action to help support our small businesses to rebuild. We will help small businesses get back on their feet through the Main Street Business Loan of up to $200,000 and we will forgive up to $25,000 depending on lost revenue. We will also encourage small business investment with a Rebuild Main Street Tax Credit, which will provide a 25 per cent tax credit on up to $100,000 personally invested into a small business.
Creating jobs and growing our economy is critical to ensuring a strong future for all Canadians.
What, if any, agricultural federal programs and initiatives do you feel are necessary to help support farmers and ranchers in this year's conditions?
The severe drought conditions this year have shown that our business risk management programs are missing the mark. Our Conservative Canada Recovery Plan commits to reforming our existing business risk management programs like AgriInvest and AgriRecovery in consultation with farmers, producers and agricultural stakeholders.
It is critical that our risk management programs are predictable and reliable to support a strong and viable sector and to give our farmers the confidence they need to invest in their future crops.
It’s unacceptable that the Trudeau government’s delays and inaction left the provinces to do the heavy lifting to support our farmers. Since the spring, Conservatives had been calling on the Liberal agriculture minister to expedite access to business risk management programs and to make up for any provincial shortfall. We called for the minister to designate Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta – and certain areas of British Columbia and Western Ontario – as prescribed regions in which farmers and ranchers would be eligible for the livestock tax deferral in 2021. We also asked the minister to match the U.S. Government’s transportation subsidy for livestock feed.
Our farmers are the best in class and the world needs more Canadian agriculture. Our Conservative Canada Recovery Plan is committed to helping secure the long-term viability of our agricultural sector and helping create new economic opportunity for our farmers.
Is there an issue that people are focusing too much? Is there an issue that doesn’t get enough attention?
We live in a democracy and voters know the issues that are important to them.
Why did you choose to run for your particular party?
The Conservative Party is the only federal party that aligns with my values and priorities.
What is the biggest issue facing your party’s chance at success?
I am confident that as Canadians read our Conservative Canada Recovery Plan they will find policies in our plan that will help secure their personal economic future, well-being and security.
How will you engage and encourage young voters to participate in this election?
I am engaging with young voters and all electors in this election by door knocking from community to community to connect with them.
What is your party leader’s biggest flaw?
Erin O’Toole is the best federal party leader to put our country back on track.
Once elected, your job is to represent your entire riding. How do you plan on representing individuals who didn’t vote for you?
I have had the privilege of representing the riding of Battlefords-Lloydminster since the 2017 byelection. I have always taken great efforts to engage with all my constituents – whether through in-person meetings, mailed surveys, correspondence or phone calls. My office also provides supports to all constituents looking for assistance in navigating federal programs and supports.
What informs your political stance? What books, publications, relationships or experiences?
Real life experiences and feeling the real tangible impact of policies informs my political stance.
What local project or service would you advocate for more federal spending?
Addressing mental health and addictions is important for the well-being of our communities. I will advocate for our Canada Mental Health Action Plan that will partner with provinces through the delivery of predictable health funding, incentivizing employers to add mental health coverage to their employee benefit plans, investing in mental health and wellness programming and creating a nationwide three-digit suicide prevention hotline.
What is something people don’t know about you?
Most people would not know that I grew up doing Ukrainian dance and danced with the Lloydminster Malanka Dancers.
Where do you stand with respect to the oil and gas and energy industry?
Our oil and gas sector is a critical part of our economy with incredible potential for growth. Canadian oil competes with countries with much lower environmental, labour and human rights standards. It is shameful that the Trudeau Liberals have implemented policy after policy to "phase out" the sector in favour of foreign oil.
Canada’s Conservatives would champion our energy sector, energy jobs, pipeline projects and would be committed to getting our world class products to market. Conservatives would axe Trudeau’s Bill C-69 and bring in an impact assessment process that would give clear expectations and timelines to give investors confidence to commit to major projects in Canada. We would end the oil tanker ban on the north coast of British Columbia, introduce a Critical Infrastructure Protection Act to prevent protestors from blocking key infrastructure and make pipelines that bring Canadian oil to export markets a priority.
Do you support carbon pricing or a carbon tax?
I do not support a carbon tax. Trudeau’s carbon tax is unfairly punishing rural communities and hurts those who can afford it the least. Canada’s Conservatives have committed to repealing Justin Trudeau’s consumer carbon tax. Erin O’Toole has committed to work with provinces to safeguard our environment and as federal partner he would not enforce a federal backstop in lieu of a made-in-Saskatchewan plan like the one presented by Premier Scott Moe this past July.
