Editorial: The Role of the Official Opposition

Dec 2025- Shuswap Scoop

Canada’s Parliament includes checks and balances for ensuring transparency and accountability so citizens may understand what the federal government is up to. As the party holding the second most seats in the House of Commons, my Conservative colleagues and I are designated as His Majesty’s Official Opposition, and it is our job to execute detailed examination of the conduct, policies, and proposals of the governing Liberal executive branch.

Part of the Official Opposition’s mandate is to be a watchdog and sometimes constituents will comment on the noisy alarms we raise, but I am happy to explain how such alarms reflect that our democracy is functioning. Peace and quiet in and around Parliament may be a lovely notion, but checking and balancing potential overreaches is essential and it is not a quiet exercise.

When the governing executive branch refuses to be transparent or accountable, the Official Opposition appropriately increases its volume and focus to press the government for answers. As a member of the Official Opposition, I am honoured to fulfill my duties and press the government for answers, accountability, and good governance for all Canadians, especially the citizens of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies.

It is essential that Canadians be served by a federal government that hears their concerns and delivers solutions while also being served by an Official Opposition that will fight for answers and better results when the government fails. For instance, the government continues to fail to achieve a softwood lumber agreement with the U.S. and this is harming communities across Canada that depend on forestry, especially across the riding of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies.

In 2006, former Prime Minister Harper ended a long-standing trade dispute and returned $4 billion in duties collected by the U.S. back to Canadian producers by achieving an agreement with US counterparts. When that agreement’s term and one-year grace period expired in 2016, Trudeau and Freeland promised a new deal within 100 days, but they failed to deliver. Similarly, earlier this year, Prime Minister Carney promised a trade deal with the U.S. by July 21, but he likewise failed to deliver.

This is one example of a scenario in which yes, I will make noise both in and out of Parliament because better is possible and citizens deserve better; raising alarms and pressing for better outcomes is an integral part of my role in our democracy. When other parties have good proposals, the Official Opposition is likewise committed to working with government to deliver solutions that secure communities and jobs and increase certainty for families.

Whether it be in Parliament or in our communities, all Canadians benefit when we work together. Our communities are stronger when we support each other, especially in times like these when many face uncertainties and instability. This Christmas Season, I hope we can all take opportunities to support food banks and other ways of offering a hand up to those who need it.

I wish happy and safe holidays to all and all the best in 2026!