Rob Clarke is playing both offence and defence in his bid to remain northern Saskatchewan’s voice in Ottawa.
On the campaign trail, the Conservative MP for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River is speaking to his government’s record and what he views as worrisome proposals from the other parties.
“I would like to build on the success that our Conservative government has done over the past number of years,” said Clarke, 48. “It’s important to me that we keep investing in infrastructure, keep the Universal Child Care Benefit payments going and keep the long-gun registry scrapped – something the opposition has vowed to reverse.”
Clarke, a former RCMP officer, also touts what he called the Conservatives’ “tough on crime” approach: “We protect victims, not criminals.”
Clarke accuses the NDP and Liberals of focusing only on “big-city priorities.”
Referencing the Saskatchewan branch of the party, he says the NDP has a history of closing schools and hospitals in the province.
“This is a major concern of mine,” said Clarke. “Our Conservative government has increased the health care transfers…to keep these vital facilities operating properly.”
Asked about accomplishments in parliament of which he is most proud, Clarke points to increased child-care benefit payments.
He further touts the demise of the long-gun registry and the passage of his bill to update the Indian Act, “the next step toward creating a more respectful and modern relationship between Canada and First Nations.”
Clarke also speaks of investments such as $378,332 for Creighton’s water and sewer main replacement. Such “investments will help rural areas and the North continue to grow,” he said.
Clarke, who out-campaigned his opponents to win his first election in 2008, says this time around he has put on a few thousand miles “working hard to keep people’s confidence.”
“The response at the doors has been good,” he said. “People keep telling me that it’s good to have someone work for all the communities and not focus on a few.”
Despite that feedback, Clarke is battling a sentiment among many voters that after nearly a decade in power, it’s time to replace the Conservatives.
“To be honest, a change in government is something we can’t afford,” said Clarke when asked how he counteracts that feeling. “The NDP and Liberal parties have said that raising taxes is something they will do which doesn’t help anyone. There are some things that we can improve upon and you will see that as the campaign unfolds – such as the recently announced doubling of the tax relief available to single seniors annually.
“The economy is something our party doesn’t take lightly and we intend to keep more money in the pockets of families to help secure the future. We have a strong track record of managing the economy, we have paid down debt and kept taxes low to come out of a global recession stronger than our international partners.
“In this riding particularly, mining is an important issue that separates all parties. We have seen the opposition oppose the development of mining and this is something that our Conservative Party has prioritized as an industry not only important to Creighton and northern Saskatchewan, but Canada as well.”
Clarke called the Oct. 19 election crucial.
“It’s important that we keep building on the progress we’ve made,” he said. “I would encourage everyone to come out and make their voices heard.
