Robert Kitchen, Conservative Party of Canada

Personal details. Name, age, hometown

Robert Kitchen, 61, Estevan.

Tell us about yourself

I was born in England and lived in numerous countries as a child while my father, Major General C.G. Kitchen (retired), was serving overseas in the Canadian Military. I attended the University of Waterloo and Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College earning a degree in Kinesiology and a Doctor of Chiropractic, respectively, After completing a two-year residency followed by employment with the Chiropractic College my wife, Donna, and I moved to Estevan in 1989 where we have remained to this day. It is in Estevan where we raised our three children and gained our son-in-law and our granddaughter. It truly is home to us. I ran my chiropractic practice in Estevan for approximately 26 years before retiring to run for federal office. In 2014, I won the Conservative Party’s nomination process, beating out five other candidates, and the 2015 federal election winning with 70.1 per cent of the vote. Since then, I have devoted my time to advocating for the people of Souris-Moose Mountain and taking their concerns to Ottawa.

What’s a little-known fact about you?

I was the victim of a hit-and-run accident, at the hand of an impaired driver, when I was 16 years of age while riding a bicycle. I was left for dead on the side of the road with a brain injury and as a result I am deaf in my left ear.

Why should voters hire you?

Experience and advocacy. As the sitting member I have four years experience in the House of Commons that puts me in a unique position compared to my fellow candidates. I am well-versed in parliamentary procedure, have established contacts and networks on the hill, and experienced the demanding lifestyle of a Member of Parliament. As a member of her Majesty’s Official Opposition, I have spent the last four years tirelessly advocating on behalf of the people of Souris-Moose Mountain and their needs. As a resident of the riding for over 30 years I am extremely aware of the unique needs of this riding, its residents and its industry.

Who should we call for a reference?

Any of my constituents. I have served them honestly and proudly for the last four years and believe that any one of them who has spoken with and/or met me would be able to tell you exactly what kind of man I am.

What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?

My greatest strength is my ability to take in and objectively assess all facts prior to making a decision. As a chiropractor it was important to listen to all the facts from a patient and other clinicians, research the best treatment options and then implement the best treatment for the patient without any prejudgments. I believe my role as Member of Parliament requires the exact same open-minded structure in order to be productive and effective.

My greatest weakness is Girl Guide cookies, but only the original cookies that come in vanilla and chocolate. Not that mint chocolate stuff.

Where do you stand on:

Gun laws? A Conservative government will crack down on the criminal use of guns while at the same time protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. A Conservative government’s gun policy is focused on criminals and gun violence and includes policies such as:

— Identifying gangs in the Criminal Code and restricting a gang members ability to obtain bail;

— Revoking parole for gang members;

— Creating tougher sentences for ordering gang crime;

— Ensuring that possessing a smuggled firearm means prison time;

— Creating a CBSA Firearms Smuggling Task Force;

— Ensuring firearms don’t fall into the hands of dangerous individuals;

— Creating stronger background checks for gun licences;

— Repealing Bill C-71 and putting forth better legislation; and,

— Creating new penalties for selling guns to prohibited users.

The need for more pipelines? Pipelines are crucial infrastructure projects that need to be approved and built. The Conservative Party has a six-point plan to get these projects approved that includes:

— Cancel the carbon tax;

— Repeal Bill C-69, the No More Pipelines Bill;

— End the ban on shipping traffic in British Columbia;

— Establish clear timelines and get Indigenous consultations right up front;

— Ban foreign-funded advocacy groups from disrupting our approvals process; and,

— Assert federal jurisdiction when necessary.

Western alienation? The current government’s policies have divided the country into what feels like east vs. west. In my opinion this is absolutely unacceptable. A government needs to bring the country together. Canada is a true force to be reckoned with on the global stage when its regions are valued and celebrated for their strengths and not punished for them.

China? What should our approach be with some of our markets blocked? Canada needs to engage with the Chinese government in a way that seeks to advance our values and our interests. Our relationship with China needs to be completely reset, first and foremost with trust, and then with trade. Our loss of market access for our canola seed, soy and meat exports is unacceptable. A Conservative government will stand up to China and support Canada’s agriculture and agribusiness sector by:

— Immediately withdrawing Canada from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank;

— Increasing inspections on all Chinese imports; and,

— Examining possible retaliatory tariffs on Chinese imports that will have the greatest possible impact while minimizing harm to Canadian consumers.

Are we facing a climate change crisis? Is carbon tax the answer? A Conservative government will scrap the Liberal’s costly carbon tax. The Conservative government has a real plan to protect the environment, which will reduce global emissions without imposing an ineffective and job-killing carbon tax. The Conservative Party has a proud history of environmental advocacy, including:

— We created the national parks system;

— Negotiated the Canada-U.S. Acid Rain Treaty; and,

— Brought in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

Our plan is focused on protecting the environment though green technologies, not taxes. Standards will need to be set for major emitters, lowering the GHG and driving Canadian business to the highest standards of green technologies. Companies that emit higher than their permitted standards will be required to invest in research, development and adoption of emissions-reducing technology related to their industry. Investments will be based on a set amount for every tonne of GHG that they emit above their limit.

We plan to create:

— The two-year green home tax credit (GHTC) which will allow Canadians to be eligible for a 20 per cent refundable credit on their income tax for green improvements to their homes of over $1,000 and up to $20,000;

— The green patent credit for green innovators and entrepreneurs, lowering the tax rate from 15 per cent to five per cent on income generated through the patent of a green technology;

— A cleaner and greener natural environment — focused squarely on protecting our air, land, water and wildlife. We intend to reinforce protections against invasive species and pests that are threatening our natural environment, protect our waterways, and place emphasis on protecting and expanding wetlands.

Finally, we need to take the climate change fight global. Canada needs to lead but cannot be in this alone. If Canada were to shut down its entire economy for a year, China would replace all our emissions within three weeks. We need to use Canadian energy products to displace dirtier foreign energy sources. We will export Canadian clean products to displace higher emissions products, and champion the green technology that will develop in Canada will be exported to the world to lower emissions globally. Recognizing Canadians are world leaders in innovative green technologies, a prime example being carbon capture and sequestration right here in Souris-Moose Mountain, is pivotal to maximizing the brain trust necessary to meaningfully protecting our global environmental. These are truly only a few of many key steps a Conservative government has planned to protect our environment.

It’s a day off and you can do anything you want. What would it be?

Go to a hockey game. I spent a great deal of my life coaching both my boys at various levels of hockey and to this day I enjoy every second I can spend in a rink.

Who inspires you?

My wife. As an RN she has devoted her life to helping others and you can see how much she loves her clients in her pursuit for their needs. She gave birth to and raised three amazing children, doing the bulk of the day-to-day work on top of her full-time employment. Beyond simply raising our children she spent what little free time she had involved in our children’s extra-curricular activities. She speaks her mind, and knows exactly who she is, with no fear or reservation. She has taken on so much so that I could pursue this dream of political office and I am forever indebted to her sacrifice. She is a remarkable woman.

What is your hidden talent?

I love to cook. Even when I am in Ottawa by myself I would rather cook than order in. My favourite type of food to cook is French but I enjoy preparing cuisine from all over the world, including many of the foods I ate while living overseas as a child.

What do you wish you could do but can’t?

I wish I could dance. In my mind, I can dance, but I am often reminded by my wife and my daughter that I cannot.

Who are the three people, dead or alive, that you’d love to have dinner with?

John and Zella Gibson, and Queen Elizabeth II. John and Zella Gibson are long-time family friends who passed away in the early 2000s. They were a second set of parents to me and the godparents to our eldest child. I would love to be able to have dinner with them and share the accomplishments of my adult children and the fact that I was elected to the House of Commons. They would be so proud. They also need to know that Zella is the namesake of our beautiful new granddaughter. I would love to have dinner with Queen Elizabeth II out of sheer admiration of the monarchy and the respect I have for the throne.