It’s back to the business of federal government with MP Martin Shields representing the interests of the constituents of the Bow River riding. Only yesterday, the local MP took part in a zoom meeting hosted by RCMP on rural crime in the area.
Now that the election is over Shields says, “I'm doing great. The election as you can well realize, it is very time-consuming. You're running 14 hours a day and you do it for five weeks and get out there and talk to as many people and forums. So, once it's over and the results come in, you know to win is really an honor and you feel that the relief of it being over but yet also you feel gratitude for the support you received in the election.”
Shields says that in an election campaign, “you meet great people and you get to talk to a lot of people, which is fantastic."
There are a few issues that affect the Bow River community that Shields has got a head start on tackling. The first rural crime, the second irrigation, and the agriculture industry, and the third touching base with the oil and gas industries.
“Irrigation is a critical part of this riding. There has been both federal and provincial government money lent and given for expansion of irrigation in the irrigation districts, in particular in this riding,” said Shields. He noted that food processing and food production is huge, and he has already begun meeting with members of irrigation boards.
In terms of the oil and gas sector, he says that’s an industry of which he stays in contact with as well.
“Although we are building the largest solar farm in Canada in this riding, there is still a tremendous need for oil and gas industry as well,” he said.
Rural crime is a problem impacting the entire province. It’s also an area of concern that Shields has been working on for years.
Shields says, “I've been to a couple of RCMP town halls. He explained that there have been town halls in Strathmore and Wheatland County area.
He noted that recently there have been meetings of MPs on rural crime.
“We also had a meeting again yesterday of MPs on rural crime as a follow up to where we're at with that scenario and how that could be a role that we play in legislation that we propose or deal with, that the Liberal government may present that may affect things to do with crime.”
Conservative MP Martin Shields has been representing the Bow River riding since being first elected in 2015.