Occupation: Lawyer
Marital Status: Married, four adult daughters
Political Experience: Five years Abbotsford Board of Education, nine years Abbotsford city council, in sixth year as Abbotsford MP
Community Involvement: Board of Taber Home, sings with the group Father’s Daughter, Abbotsford Rangers soccer player
Has it been an advantage to Abbotsford to have an MP who is part of the government in power?
Absolutely. In the last two and a half years there has been $45 million in investment, including $5 million at the Sumas Border Crossing for next year. That includes the interchanges at Clearbrook and McCallum Roads, airport improvements, the Mill Lake spray park, Mission Bridge improvements, Matsqui and Discovery Trails and low-income housing.
What are the most important issues of this campaign?
The economy has got to be number one. Given the fact that I’m in Abbotsford, crime is number two. And because of the Bloc Quebecois, national unity is number three. (Liberal Leader Michael) Ignatieff has no choice but to involve the Bloc in a coalition government. For the first time, we have heard the Bloc say the only thing that stands in the way of an independent Quebec is a Conservative majority government. Health care is number four, and we have been increasing those transfer payments to the provinces by six per cent per year for five years.
What can you say about the Conservative government’s record?
I am proud of our record. Not one dollar of taxpayer’s money has gone missing. Not one dollar has been stolen. Not one member of our government is under investigation for any wrongdoing. And I’m proud of our record in leading the world out of the economic crisis.
How do you respond to opposition charges of contempt of Parliament?
That is a scandalette manufactured by opposition parties. People support our crime agenda and we have done a good job with the economy, so they needed start flinging mud. The opposition parties have a majority on the standing committee on operations and house affairs. In contempt of court there is a judge who is not partisan or biased, but this contempt finding came out of an uber-partisan committee, where the intent was to create an issue for the upcoming election.
Why should people vote for you?
I believe I have been a highly effective MP, I have earned the respect of my peers for my work on the justice committee, and I have helped bring record funding for infrastructure and social programs.
I have taken great joy in the work that I have been able to do for the people of Abbotsford.
I have been in Abbotsford for almost 30 years, and I am blessed to have been able to serve as MP.