Andrew Scheer makes stop in Kamloops as part of cross-Canada tour

KAMLOOPS – Conservative leader Andrew Scheer is spending the summer touring the country ahead of the upcoming federal election and today he stopped in Kamloops for an event at the bandshell in Riverside Park.

“Everywhere I go across Canada, there are obviously some regional issues, some local concerns, some issues that may exist in one particular city or one particular province but there are certainly some themes that all Canadians are facing together,” Scheer said today, July 2. “There’s a sense that more and more Canadians are working hard but not getting ahead.”

The colourful Kamloops Rube Band welcomed Scheer to the stage, who was joined by Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Conservative MP Cathy Mcleod.

During his speech, Scheer highlighted his party’s views on changing current structures that tax small businesses, increasing Canada's energy production and encouraging climate change reduction strategies.

“We will run a government that lives within our means so that we can leave more money in your pocket and let you get ahead,” Scheer said. “Liberals put all their faith in government and Conservatives put our faith in people. We believe in the people of this country. Conservatives believe fundamentally that a dollar left in the (hands of the) hard-working Canadian who earned it is always better spent than in the hand of the politician who taxed it.”

A major part of the Conservative platform is a promise to balance the national budget within two years. Although the party has yet to announce specific steps to do so, Scheer spoke highly of the Candian energy sector and its ability to generate revenue.

“My vision for Canada includes a national energy corridor, both west and east that will allow us to get indigenous consultation done right, address important environmental concerns, (and) that we’ll finally restore this country as the type of place where big things can get built again.”

He said increasing Canadian energy production would benefit, not just Canada, but other countries worldwide.

other countries thriving in the energy sector have been ignoring certain laws and environmental standards. He points out how increasing Canadian energy production would benefit not just our country, but other countries worldwide.

“You know, its often been said that the world needs more Canadian energy, and I believe that. The people of British Columbia understand the value of big projects like (liquified natural gas) replacing coal-powered electrical plants in other parts of the world with clean, Canadian energy.”

The next stop on Scheer's tour is in Whitehorse and then he is off to the Maritimes.

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