Despite choosing a new leader, Perth-Wellington Conservative MP John Nater says the Liberal Party is the same one that has created challenges for Canadians for nearly 10 years.
“They still need to be held accountable for the problems they have created,” Nater told MyStratfordNow.
Mark Carney will become Canada’s next prime minister after being sworn in by the Governor General, replacing Justin Trudeau.
The leadership vote was triggered by Trudeau’s resignation announcement in January. At the time, the Liberals trailed Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives in the polls by nearly 25 points. Recent polling shows a much closer race.
Carney is expected to call an election sooner rather than later.
Nater said it’s time for Canadians to have their voices heard. With parliament prorogued, he has been in the riding more than in the past, talking to constituents including small business owners and community organizations about the current economic climate.
Nater has represented the riding since 2015.
The economy is an escalating concern, with U.S. tariffs factored in.
“Obviously we can’t control what the United States does but we can be ready to react when they undertake these illegal and unjust tariffs on Canadian products.”
Carney’s first promise as leader was to eliminate the consumer carbon tax — a move widely seen as a response to Poilievre’s persistent “Carbon Tax Carney” slogan.
Poilievre was quick to sharpen his attacks on Carney on the social media platform X, posting: “As Trudeau’s economic advisor, Carney made Canada weaker and poorer. And working for himself, he made America stronger and richer.”
Nater said a Canada-first approach is necessary to ensure citizens are protected.
The Perth-Wellington MP said he is buying a new pair of running shoes in anticipation of getting back on the election campaign trail.
“I am ready for an election whenever it’s called.”
