Dane Lloyd looking to succeed Ambrose in Sturgeon River-Parkland

Conservative candidate Dane Lloyd speaks to local Rotarians Aug. 16 – Lucie Roy Photo

by Stephen Dafoe

Dane Lloyd announced his candidacy for the Conservative nomination in the Sturgeon River-Parkland riding Monday and was in Morinville Wednesday morning to speak to local Rotarians.

The seat Lloyd and others will be vying for is that of Rona Ambrose, who stepped down in July.

Dane Lloyd is currently the Parliamentary Advisor to St. Albert Edmonton MP Michael Cooper. Previously, he worked for former Minister of International Trade, the Honourable Ed Fast. He has also worked under Jason Kenney at the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.

“I’m pretty in tune with local issues,” Lloyd said. “This being my home, I feel like I’m a good, strong local candidate who understands the issues facing the people in this riding.

Lloyd also holds a commission as an infantry officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, something he says is a valuable asset in understanding the needs of the region’s military families.

“We have a military base in this riding, and I’m the only candidate who has any military experience, and I think that the people of the riding want somebody who can connect with them on that level.

“From a farming family, with a military background, with extensive political experience, I think I have what it takes to be the best member of parliament for this riding.

The candidate has been out knocking on doors in the region and hearing from voters first hand.

Lloyd said people at the doors are angry. “They’re not happy with the way this Liberal government is going, and they’re not happy with the way that the NDP Government is going,” he said. “I try to focus on the federal issues, but the carbon tax is a big issue. I’ve been talking to greenhouse operators around Morinville, and they’re not happy because that is how they heat their greenhouses. It’s just a real irritant, and it’s making us not competitive.”

Lloyd said his campaign would be committed to challenging Trudeau’s Carbon Tax, devoted to standing up for victims of crime, support the military, and defending the rights of law-abiding firearms-owners.

Another issue the candidate feels is not on anyone’s radar is the issue of religious freedom.

“It’s very much a provincial and a federal issue, but when you have Alberta Views Magazine talking about the end of Catholic schooling in Alberta, and you have cases going to the Supreme Court with Trinity Western … I think a lot of people who value Alberta’s tradition of school choice and diversity of education are worried that their ability to send their kids to a Catholic school or a private school – those days are numbered. As an MP, I’m going to stand up for that.”

Another thing Lloyd says he will stand up for is victim’s rights and a tough stance on crime. The candidate is proud of his work with MP Michael Cooper in getting Wynn’s Law (Bill S-217) past Second Reading. The law, named after Constable David Wynn, who has shot in a St. Albert Casino, would have made it mandatory to disclose suspects’ criminal histories during bail applications.

“That [Bill] meant working hand-in-hand with Liberals, NDP, Bloc Quebecois, the Green Party. We built a powerful coalition, and we got that passed at second reading. Now, unfortunately, it didn’t pass at the final vote at committee, but I was there. I have the legislative experience, and I feel very passionate about standing up for victims of crime and their families.”

Lloyd has the endorsement of Wynn’s widow, Shelly MacInnis-Wynn.

Nominations for the Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Sturgeon River-Prkland will open this fall.

More information on Dane Lloyd’s campaign and platform can be found at DaneLloyd.ca.

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