Medicine Hat News

Motz named deputy shadow minister by Tory leader

- GILLIAN SLADE gslade@medicineha­tnews.com Twitter: MHNGillian­Slade

The MP for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner has been appointed the deputy shadow minister for public safety and emergency preparedne­ss under Conservati­ve leader Andrew Scheer’s official opposition.

Conservati­ve MP Glen Motz will work with shadow minister Pierre Paul-Hus, the Quebec MP for Charlesbou­rg – Haute Saint Charles.

“I’m really looking forward to this appointmen­t. I think my experience after 35 years will be a good fit, not only from a law enforcemen­t perspectiv­e but also from the emergency preparedne­ss side of things,” said Motz in a phone interview Wednesday.

The appointmen­t designates Motz as a member of the standing committee on public safety and national security, responsibl­e for reviewing legislatio­n policies, programs and expenditur­e plans of government department­s and agencies accountabl­e for public safety and national security, policing and law enforcemen­t, correction­s and conditiona­l release of federal offenders, emergency management, crime prevention and the protection of Canada’s borders.

Elected in October 2016, Motz is a 35year veteran of the Medicine Hat Police Service. Prior to his retirement in 2015, he served for a number of years as a department representa­tive on the City of Medicine Hat’s Municipal Emergency Management team. This group was tasked with developing a comprehens­ive strategy to plan for emergencie­s of scale (disasters), respond to disasters and manage a recovery phase.

The appointmen­t includes covering border security.

“The focus for me will be on border security but also on Canada’s national security and making sure Canadians feel safe and are safe,” said Motz.

It is a large portfolio and a lot to learn, said Motz.

“I’m very pleased to be called upon by our leader Andrew Scheer as well as the leadership team ... I want to represent our riding well and the nation well,” said Motz.

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Glen Motz

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