As the federal election grows near, get to know your local Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies Conservative Party of Canada candidate: Rob Morrison.
Who is Rob Morrison?
Rob Morrison is the incumbent MP for Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies winning in 2019 and again in 2021.
Before politics, his background was in law enforcement and diplomat work overseas.
“I’m a retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police of over 30 years. I’ve traveled pretty extensively with the RCMP and retired as a commissioned officer,” he said.
“I was also a diplomat. I lived in Islamabad, Pakistan and had 17 countries where I was over there doing intelligence work and being a representative for the Canadian government.”
Morrison has received multiple recognitions, including a Commissioners Commendation for Outstanding Service.
Outside of his work, Morrison is married to his wife Heather and has five children.
The Issues: Affordability, Tariffs and Housing
Morrison says affordability is the biggest issue facing residents in Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies.
“The Kootenay region faces an interconnected affordability and employment crisis. The resource-dependent economy struggles as mining and forestry businesses encounter regulatory barriers impeding growth. Mills can’t secure adequate fiber supply, threatening local jobs. Housing affordability has deteriorated dramatically, with prices jumping 22 per cent (2020-2022) and rental vacancy rates below one per cent in many communities. Living costs have outpaced wages, with household expenses rising 9.8 per cent in 2023.”
“The resource sector, traditionally providing family-supporting wages, faces uncertainty due to regulatory approaches that prioritize restrictions over business-focused solutions. Workers and businesses question the future availability of stable, well-paying jobs. The region needs balanced governance that considers both environmental and economic sustainability.”
When it comes to tariffs and an ongoing trade war with the United States, Morrison says Canada needs to take advantage and strengthen our economic sovereignty in two ways.
“First, we need to break down the interprovincial trade barriers that are costing our economy billions. The numbers speak for themselves – eliminating these barriers could boost our GDP by approximately four per cent, representing $90 billion annually. That’s Canadian money being left on the table because of outdated provincial protectionism. The regulatory patchwork across provinces creates needless complications for businesses trying to operate nationally. I believe we can maintain provincial authority while creating a seamless Canadian market that strengthens our businesses before they face international competition.”
“Second, our overwhelming dependence on the US market – approximately 75 per cent of our exports – represents a strategic vulnerability we can no longer ignore. While the US will remain our largest trading partner, we must aggressively pursue diversification. The frameworks are already in place through agreements like the CPTPP and CETA, but we need focused export strategies to turn these agreements into tangible market growth in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and emerging economies like India and Brazil.”
He also says the federal government needs to remove red tape to get more houses built.
“The Conservative Party will work to increase housing supply by cutting red tape and creating conditions for builders to meet the growing demand in our communities, as well have no GST on any new home built up to 1.3 million dollars putting money directly back into your pocket.”
“Reducing red tape will get all projects moving and will help elevate the issues we are seeing in the housing continuum.”
Final Words
Morrison say he will continue to be a voice for the issues in this riding if reelected.
“As your MP, I’ve helped countless constituents navigate federal programs, assisting with EI claims, CPP/OAS benefits, immigration matters, CRA issues, and PAL applications.”
“I’ve kept the softwood lumber dispute at the forefront—an issue creating significant challenges for our forest sector upon which our region heavily depends. I’ve stood against proposed natural health product regulations that threaten small manufacturers and retailers in our communities.”
“I will continue to be your strong voice in Ottawa, fighting for the interests of Columbia Kootenay Southern Rockies families, businesses, and communities. With my experience on the National Security and Intelligence Committee and previous roles as Conservative Shadow Minister for Public Safety, I bring valuable perspective to representing our region.”
“Together, we can create a more prosperous and affordable future for our riding. I humbly ask for your continued support and your vote.”
