Alleslev: Why I crossed the floor
OTTAWA • On Monday, the first day of the new parliamentary session, AuroraOak Ridges-Richmond Hill MP Leona Alleslev rose in the Commons and announced she was crossing the floor, leaving the Liberals to become a Conservative. Conservative leader Andrew Scheer promptly appointed her global security critic.
Here’s a partial transcript of her speech, as posted to her Facebook page:
When I became an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force, I swore an oath to give my life for Queen and country — to serve and defend Canada, and the values for which it stands.
A country, its sovereignty, and values are fragile. Vigilance in defending our nation’s freedom, and service to country, is who I am at my core.…
I am deeply concerned for the future of our country. After 3 years of hope and hard work, I find myself asking: “Am I doing everything I can to serve my country and work for real change for Canadians?” …
Here at home, we see large amounts of capital investment leaving Canada while tax structures, federal infrastructure problems and politics prevent us from getting goods to market, deter companies from expanding and undermine our competitiveness. For the first time in many years, Canadians don’t believe that tomorrow will be better than today and that their children’s future will be than theirs.
This is not a strong economy.
Beyond our borders, our position remains vastly diminished. Our foreign policy is disconnected from our trade relationships and our ability to deliver on our defence commitments is undermined by politics.
And on the world stage Canada has yet to rise to the occasion. …
We must recognize that foreign policy, trade, defence, and our economy all depend on each other and can’t be viewed separately. …
To have a strong economy and a strong country we need strong Federal leadership to rebuild our nation’s foundations; tax reform, employment reform, federal infrastructure, a comprehensive foreign policy, and a modernized military to reassure our allies and defend Canada’s interests at home and abroad. …
Today, we find ourselves at a tipping point in our country’s history.
It’s my duty to stand and be counted. Our country is at risk. My attempts to raise my concerns with this government were met with silence.
The government must be challenged openly and publicly. But for me to publicly criticize the government as a Liberal, would undermine the government and, according to my code of conduct, be dishonourable.
After careful and deliberate consideration, I must withdraw from the government benches to take my seat among the ranks of my Conservative colleagues and join Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition whose role it is to challenge and hold the government to account.