The riding’s newest MP was sworn in last week in Ottawa and myFM caught up with Andrew Lawton shortly after the ceremony.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has put forth an ambitious agenda for the short, four-week term before the summer break, and while Lawton had hoped to sit in the governing party, he understands, as a member of the Opposition Conservatives, that he and the other members will be closely scrutinizing every move of the minority government.
Lawton added, “This is a chamber that I’ve studied and observed for years in my media career, and then to walk in on the floor wearing a Member of Parliament pin is a really surreal feeling.”
Although Lawton is not a member of the 74-member shadow cabinet assembled by Pierre Poilievre, he will sit as a committee member and his committee preference may surprise constituents.
Lawton stressed, “No matter which committee I have the privilege of serving on, there’s going to be something on there that will connect to people in the riding.”
After the initial four-week dash leading to the summer break, Lawton is adamant the time will be put to good use back in the riding.
“Just to be able to meet with people in the community. Taking that time over the summer will be really valuable. I’m not planning on making it a summer break or a summer vacation. I’m going to be working full-time in the riding in that period.”
A priority being his constituency office.
He pointed out, “In a riding that has a lot of smaller communities in rural areas, the MP’s office is a community hub in a lot of respects. And we’re making the same commitment to customer service, and it doesn’t matter how someone voted or if they voted at all. We’re there to serve.”
We asked Lawton for his parting thoughts after his initial day in the chamber.
Lawton delivered his maiden speech in Parliament last Thursday where he warned, “I am here to tell the Liberals that their assaults on freedom will not stand. I am putting them on notice.”
Written by Ian McCallum
