Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner MP Glen Motz says he's ready to hit the ground running when a federal election is called. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

CANADA'S CHOICE 2025

Medicine Hat’s MP Motz says he isn’t taking a Conservative election win for granted

Mar 10, 2025 | 1:35 PM

Medicine Hat-area MP Glen Motz says he isn’t taking anything for granted ahead of a fourth federal election anticipated this spring but feels confident about his Conservative Party’s chances nationally despite a Liberal boost in the polls.

“No political party deserves to win an election, you earn it,” Motz said Monday at his Medicine Hat constituency office.

The Conservatives had a double-digit lead in the polls cut to near zero in a matter of weeks as Canada grappled with tariff threats from the U.S. and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation.

The Liberals chose Mark Carney as the new Liberal leader Sunday night, setting up the former central banker to take over as a temporary prime minister until an election is called.

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Motz is unimpressed by Carney, echoing Conservative criticisms about his ties to Trudeau policies and his previous support for the consumer carbon emissions tax.

“He’s like Trudeau 2.0., maybe a little bit worse,” said Motz.

The Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner parliamentarian criticized Carney’s push to move the financial firm he chaired — Brookfield Asset Management — to New York last year.

“He has been deliberately deceptive to Canadians on many of his past dealings,” Motz said.

With Carney now in place as the Liberals’ choice to lead the Grits into electoral battle, Motz is expecting an election to be called shortly.

He’s ready to hit the ground running within a matter of days.

“We have the attitude that we don’t deserve anything. If Conservatives are privileged to serve Canadians as their next government, it comes through hard work,” Motz said.

“It comes through meeting people answering their questions, listening to their concerns (and) putting those concerns into policy,” he added.

“That’s something Conservatives have done and continue to do.”

Motz dominated the southeast corner of Alberta with over 65 per cent of the vote in the 2021 election that delivered Trudeau’s Liberals a minority government.

His only opponent in Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner so far is Green candidate Andy Shadrack, who lives in British Columbia.

Medicine Hat-based political consultant Jim Groom said the MP’s approach to campaigning is the right one.

“I don’t think anybody should take the electorate for granted,” Groom said.

He pointed out the Conservative Party wish for a “carbon tax election” has evolved to be “all about Trump and the tariffs.”

If the Conservatives form government, Motz said they are ready to tackle the economic uncertainty caused by U.S. President Donald Trump’s levies.

“We need to work with all provinces as a federal government,” he said. That includes Alberta, too, added Motz.

Premier Danielle Smith has called for Ottawa to work with her government on strengthening Alberta’s oil and gas sector, particularly through pipeline projects.

The federal Conservatives have also called for more pipelines, ports and investment in Alberta energy to boost exports to international partners. Almost all of Canada’s crude oil is exported to the United States, according to government figures.

“We’ve been very strong on support for the energy sector and I don’t see that changing anytime soon,” Motz said.

“Pierre Poilievre has been very, very clear on the need to unleash our energy, unleash the energy sector,” he added, referencing the Conservative party leader.

He placed some of the blame for Canada’s fractured relationship with the White House at the Trudeau government’s feet.

A change in leadership will help rebuild trust with the White House, Motz claimed, pointing to the “disdain” Trump has for Trudeau and finance minister Chrystia Freeland.

“That doesn’t bode well for our country. I think that with new leadership, a new government, we can meet the challenges of these tariffs,” said Motz.

Trump said in a February interview that Poilevre’s “biggest problem is he’s not a MAGA guy.”

Poilevre, for his part, confirmed he wasn’t a Trump supporter and said he would put Canada first.

As for Trump’s threats to annex Canada, Motz didn’t waiver.

“Canada is not going to be the 51st state of the United States,” he said.

Trudeau on Sunday gave his last public address as Liberal leader as he made one of his final appearances as prime minister.

Motz doesn’t think much of Trudeau’s political legacy.

“I don’t consider him to be a prime minister that did much for Canada except divide us, increase our taxes, drive up housing costs, make life unaffordable and continue to vilify anyone and virtue signal,” he said.

“I respect the position of prime minister, but I always have had trouble respecting the policies and some of the things that this prime minister has done for this country, and it hasn’t been pleasant.”