Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
MIDDLESEX-LONDON - In the lead-up to the April 28 federal election, Middlesex-London Conservative candidate and incumbent Member of Parliament Lianne Rood sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss affordability, immigration, housing, and national priorities. Rood, who was first elected in 2019 and comes from a third-generation farming background, emphasized that her political focus remains firmly tied to rural values and the economic struggles faced by Canadians today.
Q: You have served as MP since 2019. What would you say has changed most in the riding since you took office?
Lianne Rood: The biggest change has been affordability. I hear from people of all ages who are struggling to pay rent, buy groceries, or keep up with mortgage payments. A lot of young people are losing hope. They can’t afford to move out, buy homes, or they can’t find full time work. This is what 10 years of Liberal policies have led to. Interest rates have doubled, and so have rents. And the carbon tax has made everything more expensive, especially for rural residents.
Q: What would your party do to protect Canada’s economy, particularly amid U.S. tariff threats?
Rood: The problems we are facing with the U.S. are the direct result of Liberal failures—on border security, on stopping the fentanyl crisis, and on public safety. Conservatives will secure the borders, shut down drug dens, and get serious about crime. We need to unlock our natural resources—build pipelines, mine critical minerals—to create jobs and wealth here in Canada. Conservatives believe in putting Canada first.
Q: Given how intertwined Canada and the U.S. are, do we still need that alliance, or should we start focusing elsewhere?
Rood: Southwestern Ontario knows how connected we are to the U.S., but we also need to address the fact that it is harder to trade between provinces than with the States. For example, meat processed in Ontario can’t be sold in Manitoba unless federally inspected. That is just one of the internal barriers we will remove. We will also recognize skilled workers through a new “Blue Seal” program, allowing doctors or nurses trained abroad—or even in other provinces—to work across Canada without unnecessary bureaucracy. The program would include a standardized test—similar to a bar exam—that healthcare workers could take before immigrating or returning to Canada, allowing them to be certified upon arrival instead of facing lengthy delays.
Q: Speaking of healthcare, would a Conservative government be open to immigration?
Rood: Yes, but it must be measured and targeted. The Liberals allowed over a million people in during COVID without the housing or infrastructure to support them. We are seeing the consequences now. If we don’t have housing or healthcare ready, we are not setting newcomers—or Canada—up for success.
Q: What would your government do to address the housing crisis?
Rood: We are going to train 350,000 new trades workers and bring back the $4,000 apprenticeship scholarship. We will work with municipalities to cut red tape in the permitting process and tie federal funding to the number of homes built. We will also eliminate the carbon tax to reduce construction costs and sell off or retrofit 3,000+ surplus federal properties into housing.
Q: What is your stance on Bill C-11 and freedom of speech?
Rood: We will repeal it. Freedom of speech is a Charter right. The government shouldn’t censor what Canadians can see online. CBC’s funding model also needs reform. Less than 4% of Canadians watch CBC TV, yet it receives over $1.5 billion a year. Public institutions should meet performance metrics just like private ones.
Q: Do you believe there has been foreign interference in Canadian politics?
Rood: Yes. NSICOP (National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians) and the Auditor General’s report have confirmed it. We know there are compromised MPs in Parliament. Conservatives are demanding the release of those names. The Liberals will not do it.
Q: What is your position on global conflicts, particularly Ukraine?
Rood: We support Ukraine and believe all democratic nations should be able to defend themselves. We will meet our NATO commitment of 2% spending, rebuild our military, and secure Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic.
Q: What is your core message to undecided voters in Middlesex–London?
Rood: This election is about future generations. We need to restore hope for young people. If we don’t vote for change now, this could be the first time in Canadian history that one generation leaves the country worse off for future generations.
Q: If re-elected, what are your top priorities for this riding?
Rood: Affordability, housing, fixing the budget, and stopping crime. Everyone deserves to live in a safe neighbourhood, earn a powerful paycheck, and have hope for a bright future.
