Shannon Stubbs named Official Opposition Deputy Critic for Natural Resources

Two Hills, AB – On Friday, November 20th, the Hon. Rona Ambrose, Leader of the Official Opposition and Interim Leader of the federal Conservative Party, announced the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet. Shannon Stubbs, Member of Parliament for Lakeland, was named Deputy Critic for Natural Resources.

“The sustainable development of natural resources is the foundation of Canada’s economy, and is crucial to our long term prosperity and economic opportunities,” said Stubbs. “Canada’s natural resources set us apart globally, and support the jobs and livelihoods of Canadians across the country.”

Stubbs wants to ensure energy development remains a priority.

“I will stand up for our world leading, responsibly developed energy sector in Alberta and across Canada. Energy is a cornerstone of our economy, with a strong track record of innovation, increasing efficiency, minimizing the environmental footprint of development, investing in alternative technologies for the future, and developing products, processes and expertise that are exportable for resource development around the world. All Canadians should be proud of our energy sector.”

Like many areas across Canada, one of the major sectors in Ms. Stubbs’ riding of Lakeland is natural resource development – energy and forestry – along with agriculture.  Many residents and families in Lakeland rely particularly on jobs in heavy oil, and conventional oil and gas development.

“In the context of worldwide economic challenges, government needs to ensure stability, clarity, consultation and competitiveness.  Responsible development of natural resources provides jobs, spin off employment and economic activity, revenue to governments, and impacts many other sectors, in Lakeland and across Canada,” Stubbs said.  “There have been many jobs lost in Lakeland and across Alberta during the past several months, particularly in the energy sector, because of low oil prices, but also because of uncertainty about potential fiscal and regulatory changes at both provincial and federal levels of government. In a fragile global economy, government must minimize costs and streamline regulatory barriers it applies to developers, cut red tape, and assertively advocate for expanded market access for our energy products and for all sectors.”  

"I look forward to working with my colleague and our lead Natural Resources critic, Hon. Candice Bergen, MP for Portage—Lisgar, and with industry and community stakeholders, on this significant portfolio that is so important to Lakeland, to Alberta, and to all of Canada.”

Ms. Stubbs was elected as the MP for Lakeland on October 19th, 2015. The Honourable Rona Ambrose visited Lakeland on August 9th, 2015 for the day to support Ms. Stubbs and to help kick off the local campaign. Ms. Ambrose was elected by the Conservative caucus as the interim leader on November 5th, 2015.