John Barlow
Foothills MP John Barlow retained his position as shadow minister for agriculture and agri-food.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre last month announced his shadow cabinet.
“Agriculture is an integral part of our southern Alberta heritage and I have embraced this opportunity to represent Foothills farmers, ranchers and agri-businesses as well as work with our agriculture stakeholders here and across Canada,” Barlow said in a news release.
“Conservatives are proud of how our farm families and producers embrace innovation and technology to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and protect our water, soil and precious ecosystems. Canadian farm families do more with less, and Conservatives see modern Canadian agriculture as part of the solution.”
Poilievre, whose party forms the Official Opposition, said the conservative shadow cabinet will fight for a Canada that is affordable, safe, united, and self-reliant.
“Canada must become a self-reliant country where hard work guarantees people a beautiful home on a safe street protected by solid borders and united under a proud flag,” Poilievre said.
Poilievre said crime, inflation, deficits, and job losses under the Liberal government have prevented that from happening.
Poilievre said the Canadian economy is more dependent on the U.S., and the country is more divided than ever before.
“Conservative solutions are needed now more than ever,” Poilievre said. “We have already won the debates on carbon taxes, inflation, housing costs, crime, natural resource development, and more. That is why Canadians gave us 23 more seats and two million more votes.”
Poilievre said the bigger Conservative team will work for lower taxes, less inflation, and resource development.
Conservatives will also push for a crackdown on criminals, and controlling immigration.
Barlow supported his leader’s position.
“As our country struggles with record high inflation, cost of living and food prices, so too do these financial burdens take their toll on family farms,” Barlow said. “Harmful Liberal policies for the last decade like the carbon tax, fertilizer tariffs, capital gains tax hike, fertilizer and pesticide reductions and prioritizing activist voices over proven science continue to threaten the economic viability of Canadian agriculture.”
“Conservatives are the only party standing by our farmers. I look forward to once again working with stakeholders from across Canada and championing Canadian agriculture here at home and around the world.”
Like Barlow, most shadow cabinet members remain in their pre-election roles.
Poilievre said to maximize effectiveness, the Conservatives expanded the shadow cabinet, dividing portfolios to ensure no aspect of the government’s agenda escapes oversight.
Poilievre said the Conservatives will challenge the Liberal government to:
• Boost buying power of Canadians by bringing down spending, inflation and taxes.
• Build affordable homes by cutting taxes and red tape on new housing.
• Permanently axe all carbon taxes, repeal anti-resource rules like Bill C-69 and energy caps to regain economic sovereignty.
• Get immigration under control.
• Keep streets safe with laws keeping repeat offenders in jail.
Foothills MP John Barlow was appointed the Conservative shadow minister for agriculture and agri-food, the post he held prior to the federal election.
