LOOK AHEAD 2024 With Shelby Kramp-Neuman

As we tee up 2024, we spoke with the Member of Parliament for the Hastings-Lennox and Addington riding Shelby Kramp-Neuman.

She says affordability will continue to be top of mind across the riding, along with housing, mortgage and interest rates.

By 2026, federal interest on the debt repayment will surpass health care as the largest expenditure federally.

By 2028-29, servicing the debt will be almost twice as much as the entire military budget.

On the local front Kramp-Neuman says they have had tremendous success working with different levels of government.

“The success that we’ve had working with municipalities is huge, and the collaboration that I’m able to have with our provincial member Ric Bresee. We’re getting a lot of things done and sometimes it’s behind the scenes. It’s not always headlines.”

The 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force will be celebrated in the neighbouring Bay of Quinte riding and CFB Trenton will be front and centre, especially with the air show in late June.

Continuing to discuss the military, Kramp-Neuman indicated that Canada needs to be ready, especially with the Ukrainian and Middle East conflicts front and centre.

“We cannot be defenseless and we need to be on a war setting. We need to be prepared. There’s a tremendous amount of turmoil and tension, not just domestically but internationally right now and Canada needs to step up.”

She says locally the number one question she gets asked is when is the next election?

Her answer is, she does not know. She says keeping her head down and working for local residents in her main goal.

““So we will continue to actively engage with our constituents, with community stakeholders, with local businesses, local councils. I will continue to represent all here in Ottawa.”