By Shaun Penner

federal election

Warkentin preparing for fifth federal election

Aug 14, 2019 | 5:30 AM

With the federal election drawing ever closer, it means that Grande Prairie-Mackenzie MP Chris Warkentin is gearing himself up for yet another federal election.

EverythingGP caught up with Warkentin during his annual visit to County of Grande Prairie council this week, where he wasn’t getting ahead of himself when it comes to earning his seat in the House of Commons once again.

“Elections always make any politician nervous. Of course, there is always a whole host of uncertainties when it comes to elections, but I am very confident and very optimistic,” said Warkentin. “But obviously, it is our job to get out there, to communicate with Canadians to ensure that they have the information they need to make a wise and informed decision come election time.”

“We’re going to do everything we possibly can and not take a single thing for granted.”

October’s election will mark his fifth as the areas Conservative candidate. If his name were to be called once again, there are a number of issues he would like to tackle as he goes forward.

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Warkentin heard from County Council some of the issues they are hearing from area residents. Chief among them was the uptick in crime this area has seen, which was also dealt with during the same council meeting as the west County area has seen an alarming rise in crime rates.

Warkentin says all levels of government need to work together to help fight the issue.

“We need to ensure that every level of government is doing what they can at the municipal level, at the provincial level and the federal level to ensure that we have laws and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that our communities are safer,” said Warkentin.

Though he did not go into detail of what exactly would be done, he did say to council that reforming certain aspects of the criminal justice system were needed, to make it easier to put away repeat offenders. He also added getting more prosecutors to the area is vitally important.

Another issue brought forward by council was concern for ranchers and farmers. 2019 has been a tough one for the agricultural sector, not just in the Peace Country, but across Canada. The on-going trade dispute over canola and other grains with China, as well as the unfavourable weather this area has seen, have all been on the minds of farmers.

On top of that, Warkentin said that ranchers and farmers are contending with a great deal of “mis-information”. Whether that be through the Canada Food Guide being altered to promote more plant-based proteins over red meat, or the environmental impact the cattle industry has on climate change, Warkentin says he will stand up for farmers on the federal stage.

“I come from the farm and of course have been surrounded by farmers and have been proud to represent farmers here in the Peace country, and I can tell you there is nobody that is more concerned with the environment, with the land and ensuring that Canadians get fed, than farmers.”

The federal election will fall on October 21. Currently, only Doug Burchill of the People’s Party of Canada has come forward as a candidate to challenge Warkentin in the Grande Prairie-Mackenzie riding.