MP Thomas reflects on 2022

By Erika Mathieu
Sunny South News

MP for Lethbridge, Rachael Thomas said 2022 marked the “return of the human spirit” following a bleak few years.

“Each year has its uniquenesses, and for 2022, one of the biggest things of this year with the fact that we went from a fairly significant lockdown at the beginning of the year, with many people not being able to celebrate or gather with friends or family for the new year, and throughout 2022 we watched as the world opened back up.”

Thomas said in 2022 people “emerged with a bit of a roar.”

“There’s a fresh excitement and zeal for life.” Thomas commented on her observation that 2022 saw the renewal of creativity, innovation, and the entrepreneurial spirit, all of which “served our region really well this year.”

Last year, Canadians were confronted with the rising cost of living. Thomas said the feds spent “far more than needed during the pandemic,” and added, “according to the parliamentary budget officer, about one-third of all of the Liberals’ spending was beyond necessity (of) what was needed to deal with COVID.”

She said, “there are a few really practical things,” the federal government can action to mitigate the impact of inflation and rising costs on Canadians. “As inflation rises, people pay more to live so the government needs to reign in (their) spending. One of the things that conservatives are calling for is no new spending.”

Thomas said she is “proud” of the people in her riding “working hard to make this region thrive on an economic level and we not only get to enjoy that prosperity here but we also get to share the benefit of our resources around across the country and around the world,” adding, “we’re producing food that is literally being shipped across the ocean and feeding people on other continents.”

Thomas said she is looking forward to seeing the impact of the new agri-food hub and trade centre in Lethbridge. She said, “This area is knowing for its strength in agriculture and a big part of that picture, I believe, is the Exhibition and all of the good work that is being done there to advance the grounds and build new buildings (to) allow for world-class gathering(s) to take place.”

Although the new agri-food hub and trade centre is located in the city of Lethbridge, the grounds were designed to benefit and showcase the agricultural industry throughout Lethbridge County. Thomas added, “the goal is that this region would become the agri-food hub of the country, and we’re well on our way.”

As farming and processing capabilities continue to expand in Lethbridge County, Thomas said she is excited by advancements in the agriculture industry and how that will continue to position Canada and the region as prominent global food producers and will continue to advocate for policies which support this. Thomas noted “there still remains a lot of work to be done” on issues impacting farmers in the region, including the issue of creating a more equitable Canadian sugar policy for sugar beet farmers, and getting their product to market, and said, “that’s something that we have to continue to work on in 2023.”

“I’m watching tremendous advances in farming technology; I’m watching tremendous advances in terms of innovative practices around food processing, and planting, filling, and harvesting.”

“I’m super excited to watch as the individuals within this riding continuing to contribute to a vibrant future not only here, but as they did across the country and around the world.”