The Conservative candidate for Battlefords-Lloydminster-Meadow Lake is Rosemarie Falk. She is running in the riding for the April 28 Federal Elections. She shares her views on the Vista Radio questionnaire to help you in your choices at the polls.
Question 1: Tell us about yourself in relation to what is at stake for Canada at this time.
Falk: I am the current Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster, seeking re-election as the Conservative candidate for the newly redistributed Battlefords-Lloydminster-Meadow Lake riding.
Born and raised in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, I now raise my four children here with my
husband, Adam. I hold a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary and have firsthand experience supporting vulnerable members of our community.
I first ran for office in the 2017 by-election because I saw the devastating impact of the Liberal government’s policies on our local communities, economies, and values. After a decade of destructive NDP-Liberal policies, that fight is more critical than ever.
We need a Conservative government that will restore the Canadian promise that hard work gets you a great life in an affordable house on a safe street under our proud flag for today and future generations.
Question 2: What does your party propose to do about the trade wars with the USA and China?
Falk: Conservatives will focus on building a stronger, more self-reliant Canada by breaking down interprovincial trade barriers, eliminating policies that hinder resource development, and implementing a Bring It Home Tax Cut to lower costs and boost our economy.
We will introduce the Canada First TFSA Top Up, allowing Canadians to contribute an extra $5,000 to invest in Canadian companies, and the Canada First Reinvestment Tax Cut will remove capital gains taxes if they invest in Canada. We will diversify our export markets and end harmful Liberal policies.
To address trade uncertainty with the U.S., we will push for an accelerated renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade deal and propose pausing tariffs during talks.
Our priority is keeping Canadians working, and the Keep Canadians Working Fund will provide temporary support to businesses affected by American tariffs.
The Liberal government has weakened our economy. It’s time for a government that puts Canada first, for a change.
Question 3: How would your party diversify export markets away from U.S. dependency?
Falk: Conservatives will focus on making Canada more self-reliant. We can only control what we do at home, and the only way to stand up for Canadians is by unleashing our industry, cutting our taxes on our workers, zero capital gains taxes on Canadian reinvestment, building more homes, LNG plants, pipelines, mines and more to build our own economic fortress.
We need to address trade barriers within Canada. Trade barriers between provinces cost us more than trade barriers between Canada and other countries. We will bring together the Premiers to agree on removing as many exemptions as possible.
We will also introduce a Free Trade Bonus, where provinces that remove barriers will receive a share of the increased tax revenue, which they can use to invest in local services like schools and hospitals.
While free trade within Canada won’t completely replace the U.S. market, this plan will help bring business back home, reduce our dependence on outside forces, and build a more self-reliant economy.
Question 4: On immigration – What are your thoughts or those of your party on how to get greater involvement of immigrants in the national development of Canada?
Falk: We need a fair and orderly immigration system that balances population growth with the availability of housing, healthcare, and jobs.
In Canada, there are skilled immigrants who, due to red tape in the certification process, are unable to contribute to their professions, such as healthcare and engineering.
Conservatives will introduce a Blue Seal Professional Licensing Standard recognized across all provinces and territories. This will allow doctors, nurses, and engineers to work throughout Canada and help those trained abroad quickly get certified to our national standards. This approach will address labour market needs and contribute to Canada’s future growth.
Question 5: On Indigenous issues – How do you or your party propose to get buy-in from First Nations on projects of national interest?
Falk: A Conservative government, led by Pierre Poilievre, is committed to enabling First Nations to take back control of their resource revenues from big government gatekeepers in Ottawa.
Putting First Nations back in control of their money, and letting them bring home the benefits of their resources, will help get local buy-in for good projects to go ahead. This means, more earnings for grassroots First Nations communities, not Ottawa gatekeepers.
Those earnings will mean paycheques, schools, and clean water for people. Conservatives will fight for real economic reconciliation by supporting First Nations taking back control of their money and lives.
Question 6: On pipelines – How do you or your party propose to get Quebec on board with national projects and building pipelines through Quebec?
Falk: Conservatives will create the Canada First National Energy Corridor to accelerate the development of critical infrastructure across Canada. This dedicated corridor will streamline the approval process for pipelines, transmission lines, railways, and other essential infrastructure, ensuring that projects are built faster and more efficiently.
By creating a pre-approved, standardized framework for infrastructure development, we will eliminate the regulatory delays and red tape that have stalled projects in the past. This will allow for the quick and effective construction of infrastructure that is crucial for economic growth, job creation, and strengthening Canada’s energy independence.
Question 7: What are potential solutions to housing affordability and homelessness?
Falk: The affordability crisis is a direct result of the lost Liberal decade caused by the NDP-Liberal coalition. Inflationary spending and taxes have driven up the cost of everything.
Conservatives will bring home lower prices by cutting taxes and fixing the budget. Our plan
proposes a 15 per cent income tax reduction for the lowest income bracket, lowering taxes and claw backs for seniors, and permanently eliminating the costly and ineffective carbon tax for good, for everyone, including businesses.
We will cut the capital gains tax for funds that are reinvested here in Canada.
We will also incentivize housing construction, ensuring more affordable homes for Canadians and reducing the strain on the housing market. We will fix the budget by finding $2.00 in savings for every new dollar spent on administrative costs and mandate, by law, that the Auditor General verifies these savings.
Question 8: What do you propose to do for the riding if elected?
Falk: I hear from constituents all the time who want to be rewarded for their hard work, not punished. Canadians should be able to go to work and earn a powerful paycheque that allows them to provide for their families while also putting aside a little for their own priorities.
Unfortunately, for the last decade, we have had an activist-driven NDP-Liberal government that has attacked our local economies and penalized hard work.
Conservatives are committed to restoring the Canadian promise that hard work leads to a well-paying job that allows you to afford food, in a safe and affordable home under a proud flag.
If re-elected, I will continue to be a strong voice for our rural communities, farmers, energy workers, and families. I will listen to the needs and priorities of my constituents and bring those concerns forward in Parliament and within our caucus.
Question 9: Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?
Falk: The choice in this election is clear.
Canadians can either re-elect the same Trudeau-Carney-NDP government for a fourth term – a government that will continue to fuel the affordability crisis, stifle our economy, and weaken our country.
Or they can vote for change and elect a Conservative government that will cut taxes, build homes, fix the budget, and stop the crime – restoring Canada’s promise and putting Canada First, for a change.
On April 28th, vote for change; vote Conservative.
More information on the candidate is available online using this link.
