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Politics

    • New Conservative MP Laila Goodridge hopes to be a strong voice for Alberta's energy sector

    Conservative MP for Fort McMurray鈥擟old Lake Laila Goodridge stops by an advanced poll during the 2021 election. (Photo courtesy of Laila Goodridge) Conservative MP for Fort McMurray鈥擟old Lake Laila Goodridge stops by an advanced poll during the 2021 election. (Photo courtesy of Laila Goodridge)
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    Ottawa -

    Laila Goodridge, the newly elected Conservative MP for Fort McMurray鈥擟old Lake, says changing the narrative around Canada鈥檚 oil and gas sector is of utmost importance to her as she takes on her new role in Ottawa.

    Goodridge has called Fort McMurray home her entire life. Her dad鈥檚 family moved there in the 1970s to make a better life for themselves. Both her grandfather and dad worked in the oil sands.

    Goodridge, too, worked for mining giant Syncrude as a student through university and then for North American Construction Group in health and safety for nearly five years after graduation.

    鈥淚 love the innovation and ingenuity of the oil sands. They have provided so much opportunity for my family and so many others over the years,鈥 she told CTVNews.ca.

    Goodridge says she鈥檚 always had a keen interest in politics and was a member of the Conservative Party since its inception.

    In 2018, she was elected as a United Conservative MLA in the Fort McMurray-Conklin riding. A year later, she won her second election, this time in the newly formed Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche riding.

    The Alberta government named the bilingual Goodridge as the parliamentary secretary for the Francophonie, aimed at ensuring the implementation of Alberta鈥檚 French policy.

    Alberta Premier Jason Kenney congratulated his former teammate on her appointment as the federal Conservative Fort McMurray-Cold Lake candidate, praising her dedication to her community.

    鈥淟aila is a true champion for her city and was a relentless advocate for her constituents as an MLA on issues like health care, child care and economic growth,鈥 he wrote on .

    Goodridge says she鈥檚 hoping to showcase her home town to her new colleagues in Ottawa.

    鈥淎s the newly elected member of Parliament, I鈥檓 excited to be able to show my home town, the community that I absolutely love, to politicians from all different political parties to clear up some of the misconceptions that sometimes exist around the oil sands,鈥 she said.

    鈥淎s someone who grew up here, I live 10 minutes away from the home that I grew up in, that my dad bought from my grandparents. There are people who have roots, it鈥檚 not just a boomtown, it鈥檚 a home town.鈥

    Goodridge is one of 50 rookie MPs elected in the 2021 federal election. CTVNews.ca is profiling five鈥攐ne from each party with a seat in the Commons鈥 in the lead up to the first sitting day of the 44th Parliament.

    Securing a win on election night 鈥 she won her riding with 67.8 per cent of the votes 鈥 wasn鈥檛 her only badge of honour during the campaign.

    Goodridge also gave birth mid-way through the campaign, to a baby boy named Eoghan. It鈥檚 her and her husband Niall鈥檚 first child together.

    Asked how she managed to juggle it all, Goodridge replied: 鈥淏ecause I鈥檓 a first-time mom, I don鈥檛 have a lot to compare it to, but you know what, it was spectacular. I must give credit where credit is due, I have an exceptionally supportive spouse, wonderful family and friends, and truly the best campaign team anyone could ever ask for.鈥

    She also gave credit to Conservative Leader Erin O鈥橳oole who made sure she was well-supported through the process.

    鈥淚t was his belief that a pregnant mom could be a candidate, that was really exciting, and his support for working families,鈥 she said, adding that access to child-care services was a major concern she heard about from voters while door knocking.

    Goodridge says her perspective as a new mom has helped her prioritize what matters most in life and work.

    鈥淵ou have a finite amount of time as a person, and as a mom that time gets divided a little bit differently, and so it鈥檚 about making sure that everything that I鈥檓 doing is towards my purpose and my goal,鈥 she said.

    Fellow Alberta-based Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner says Goodridge will be a 鈥済ame changer鈥 for the party.

    鈥淚 was ecstatic that she ran for us. There aren鈥檛 enough women in Alberta caucus on the Conservative side and now we鈥檝e got a woman who first of all has legislative experience, is dynamic, is a new mom, is bilingual. She鈥檚 just going to bring a wealth of experience from an area of the country that really needs a strong voice,鈥 the Calgary Nose Hill MP said.

    In a statement to CTVNews.ca, O鈥橳oole said he鈥檚 鈥渧ery excited鈥 for Goodridge to join the team.

    鈥淪he will be a strong voice for the Conservative Party and the people of her riding. I look forward to seeing the amazing things she will accomplish as a member of Parliament,鈥 he said.

    O鈥橳oole welcomed more than just Goodridge on her first official visit to Parliament Hill for the party鈥檚 October caucus meeting.

    Rempel Garner says her being a new mom 鈥渟ends a message to women that this is a path that鈥檚 available to them, and not only available to them, but vital we have those voices in senior halls of power in Canada.鈥

    鈥淪he鈥檚 a huge pickup for our team.鈥

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