BARRHEAD/WESTLOCK – Conservative candidate Arnold Viersen is hoping voters will bring him back for his fourth term as the representative for the Peace River-Westlock riding, and he thinks a conservative platform focused on criminal reform, housing, and fiscal responsibility will get him there.
Viersen took time out of an April 15 door-knocking stop in Edmonton to talk about the upcoming election, his thoughts on the current government, and what the conservative party could accomplish if they get enough seats on April 28.
“I’m running because it’s time for a change here in this country; after nine years of the Liberals being in power, this country is broken and we need a change.”
Viersen faces opposition from three other candidates, including independent conservative Darrel Teske, NDP representative Landen Tischer, and Liberal choice Luke Markowski.
“I’m also pleased to continue to be a Member of Parliament for northern Alberta, to stand up for the resource economy, farming, and the forestry industry, and to promote all those things.”
Viersen said he would advocate for solutions to both the internal and external threats local industry faces, including caribou range planning and tariffs.
“Internally, I think the federal government has botched (range planning), and we need to get that sorted out. Interestingly, both Alberta and Quebec are kind of unified on that so I think we’ll be able to move on it. We need our forestry sector to have access to the forest to continue.”
Externally, Viersen pointed to the ongoing issues around American tariffs. Since March, the two nations have been engaged in a trade war that has left businesses confused and uncertain about what comes next.
“We need a deal like Stephen Harper started, he signed 43 free trade agreements around the world. We need to promote those agreements and find other markets for our products. The Liberals have done a poor job promoting that,” he said.
Viersen said he would support a government initiative to return the money lost through tariffs to industry, although he didn’t mention what a Conservative government would do to help alleviate the increased costs consumers have faced.
Viersen’s campaign points all circle back to the same idea: nine years of a Liberal government has left Canada in a worse state than it was before they took over. He listed the carbon tax — which Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused for residents but not industry — and inflation as areas a Conservative government would crack down on.
“Folks used to live in a country where we left our doors unlocked, and the kids stayed out to play until the street lights came on. We don’t live in that country anymore and I think we need to restore folks confidence in our country, particularly around that crime piece.”
A varied resume
In his time as MP, Viersen touted his work on committees, as well as a private members bill on human trafficking as successes that showed he was capable of working for the area’s residents.
“I’ve sat on several committees, including six years on Northern and Indigenous Affairs, and I’ve worked on making northern Alberta the honey capital of Canada,” he said.
“I’ve fought human trafficking across the country, all of these things have contributed to some success as an opposition MP. I’ve been able to work with folks from across party lines on a number of these issues.”
Viersen also responded to comments made by Teske accusing him of over-embellishing the risks of human trafficking, among other concerns, noting trafficking exists all across Canada, including in his own riding.
“It’s something that definitely touches our area, but it happens all over Canada, and Members of Parliament are elected to govern Canada. It’s work that I’m very proud of.”
Viersen’s time as MP hasn’t been controversy free either. During his last term, Viersen openly celebrated when America overturned abortion rights, calling abortion in Canada, “the greatest human rights tragedy of all time,” and putting forward a petition in 2024 calling for the government to restrict abortion.
In June 2024, Viersen said he would vote against abortion, gay marriage, and cannabis legalization, statements Viersen said were his alone and did not represent the Conservative Party.
