Conservative Roundup With Aidan Mackey

On today's episode Aidan is joined by Portage-Lisgar Conservative nomination candidate, Branden Leslie. Listen to why Branden is running, some of his policies, and why he is the best choice to run. Check out his website here https://www.votebranden.ca/



Recorded on 02/05/2023



Branden has earned a reputation for getting things done. He has a proven track record of fighting for Conservative principles and values on Parliament Hill while working in the Harper government and in the private sector. He’s running to give you back control of your life, ensure you can raise your family according to your values, and to get the Liberals out of your pocket. He has advised Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament on important issues like protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners and keeping our streets safe and criminals behind bars. Branden was instrumental in passing legislation and working with Members of Parliament to get key planks of the Harper government’s agenda implemented such as the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act, amongst many others. ​ Branden went on to work as the manager of policy and government relations at the Grain Growers of Canada. In this role, he engages with farmers, Parliamentarians, Ministers, and public servants on agricultural issues such as trade, transportation, innovation, and business risk management programs, to protect the viability of the family farm. He has been a leading voice pushing back against the Liberal government’s plan to reduce fertilizer use and is the architect of legislation currently before Parliament to exempt farmers from the carbon tax. He also played a pivotal role in passing Bill C-208, which eliminated the unfair tax rates faced by farmers and small business owners selling their operations to their children and grandchildren. ​ Branden takes pride in working with farmers and Members of Parliament to defend Canada’s agricultural sector and will continue to do so if elected. Active in the Conservative Party for over a decade, Branden was the Campaign Manager for the Hon. Candice Bergen in the 2019 election, helping her receive almost 70% of the vote. ​ Branden is a farm kid. He was born in Portage la Prairie and raised on a farm south of town. His parents Jim and Shauna-Lei Leslie are active members in the community and continue to farm to this day. ​ He attended Portage Collegiate Institute and went on to Brandon University and Carleton University to receive his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Between reffing hockey for over 15 years and continuing to play recreationally, to being an active golfer, Branden has held a lifelong interest in sports and has had the opportunity to compete in almost every community in Portage-Lisgar. Branden and his fiancé Cailey are excited for this Conservative nomination campaign and will fight for you with the passion and energy that you deserve. With your help, we can send the right Conservative to Ottawa to take on Justin Trudeau and deliver real change.

On tonight's episode I am so extremely honoured to be joined by none other than 2022 UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith. Danielle is the lead front runner in the leadership race putting Alberta and Albertan's first. Catch my interview with Danielle where we discuss how she got involved in politics, the Alberta Sovereignty Act, freedom for Albertan's, and some of her policies, all found here! We are so proud to endorse Danielle Smith for Premier of Alberta! Stay up to date with Danielle and her efforts here https://daniellesmith.ca/

Recorded on 09/04/2022

“I’m running because I love Alberta. This is my home and I feel passionately that the people of this province are not being treated fairly by Ottawa. We need to push back, regain our pride, and have autonomy over our decisions. Together, let’s put Alberta First and as Premier, that is exactly what I will do.”  Danielle is a proud Albertan. She is a University of Calgary graduate with degrees in Economics and English, Danielle has had a lifelong interest in Alberta public policy and finding the right balance between free enterprise and individual freedom, and the role of government. She was a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Highwood, leader of the Official Opposition, and leader of the Wildrose Party.  Before re-entering politics, Danielle had extensive experience in the media and in business. Most recently she was President of the Alberta Enterprise Group. Before that she was a radio host with Corus Entertainment for six years.  She married her husband, David in 2006 and together they own and operate The Dining Car, a fully renovated 1940s railcar dining car. She is the proud stepmother of David’s son Jonathan. Danielle and David live in High River with their two dogs, Caine and Colt.

Today I am so honored and privileged to be joined back by Rebecca Schulz, one of the 2022 UCP Leadership Candidates. Today Rebecca and I discuss her incredible career, along with some of her policy, and the campaign. You can stay up to date with Rebecca on the campaign trail here https://www.rebeccaforleader.ca/

Recorded on 08/02/2022

Rebecca Schulz is the MLA for Calgary-Shaw. She was elected in 2019 and was most recently the Minister of Children's Services. In that role, Rebecca fought for and successfully negotiated a fair deal on childcare with the federal government. The Made-In-Alberta childcare agreement is unique in Canada and critical for seeing Alberta families and children succeed. Rebecca has also served on Treasury Board and several policy and legislative committees. She first got involved in politics in 2009 working in the Premier’s Office in Saskatchewan under Brad Wall. Rebecca then chose Alberta to raise her family and was drawn to the united conservative movement. She believes unity in the conservative movement is critical – both at the provincial and federal level – to ensure free-market, pro-growth governments can succeed. Rebecca is an active campaigner and believes that hard work and staying connected with voters – most importantly, door knocking – is the best way to both grow the movement and serve at the ground level. She lives in Calgary with her husband and two children.

Catch one of five 2022 Conservative leadership candidate interviews where Aidan dives deep into policy with each of the leadership candidates. Today Aidan is joined by Roman Baber. Stay up to date with the Baber campaign here https://www.joinroman.ca/

Recorded on 07/19/2022

Roman Baber served as Member of Provincial Parliament from the riding of York Centre from June 2018 to June 2022. He served as Chair of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Justice Policy from September 2019 until February 2021.

He was removed by Doug Ford from the Ontario government caucus after calling out the collateral harm of lockdowns in January 2021. Since then, Roman has been a staunch advocate in favour of a balanced covid response and in particular against passports, mandates and lockdowns due to their toll on the health and mental health of Canadians.

Roman brought legislation to cut MPP pay to CERB levels while Emergency Orders are in place, was in litigation against the Attorney General of Ontario to defend Canadians' right to protest and worship outdoors and brought a Bill to outlaw workplace mandates. Roman is passionate about and is well familiar with justice, transit and autism policy.

Roman was born and lived in the former Soviet Union until he was almost 9. He then lived in Israel until he immigrated to Canada with his family at age 15.

Roman obtained a BA from York University and graduated from law school at the University of Western Ontario. During his last year of law school, Roman was a supervisor at the school’s legal aid funded clinic. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 2006 and practiced civil and commercial litigation until his election in 2018.

Roman is also an occasional lecturer at an after-school program, engaging high school students on constitutional and criminal law topics. He loves tennis, Canadian kindness, the Toronto Raptors and his special someone, Nancy Marchese.

Catch one of five 2022 Conservative leadership candidate interviews where Aidan dives deep into policy with each of the leadership candidates. Today Aidan is joined by Jean Charest. Stay up to date with the Charest campaign here https://www.jeancharest.ca/

Recorded on 07/11/2022

On today's episode I am extremely honored to be joined by The Hon. Peter Mackay. Aidan and Peter discuss a wide ranging topic of issues from Peter's career and how he got involved, to keeping the Conservative Party united, to improving Canada's spot on the world stage. All found here! Take a listen!

Recorded on 07/19/2022