Michael Kram, Conservative Party of Canada

Personal details. Name, age, hometown

Michael Kram, 40, Regina.

Tell us about yourself

I was born and raised in Regina. My parents were both teachers, and my grandparents were all farmers from the Raymore area. I went to Dr. Martin LeBoldus High School and then the University of Regina. I’ve been working as a software developer in downtown Regina ever since I finished university.

What’s a little-known fact about you?

I played Townsperson #7 in Corner Gas: The Movie. If you watch the movie, you can see me for three or four seconds.

Why should voters hire you?

Because I recognize the importance of ensuring a healthy balance between environmental stewardship and economic growth. As the next Member of Parliament for Regina-Wascana I will be committed to the development of our resource sector for the benefit of everyone. My party also has the best plan to deal with climate change by requiring heavy emitters to invest in clean energy technologies.

Who should we call for a reference?

Andrew Scheer. I did a lot of volunteer work on his early election campaigns.

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

I would say motivation is my greatest strength. I sincerely want this city, province, and country of ours to be the best place it can be, and I will work tirelessly to see that happen. I can be impatient at times. So sometimes I just have to take a deep breath and remind myself that not everyone wants to get things done the same way that I do.

Where do you stand on:

Gun laws? A Conservative government will be tough on criminals who use guns to commit violence. This includes enforcing long prison sentences for individuals who smuggle guns into the country and those found in possession of smuggled guns. On the other hand, Canada’s Conservatives recognize that blanket gun bans and new rules on those who already obey the law do nothing to keep our streets safer. Honest, law-abiding hunters and target-shooters should be allowed to continue to use their firearms in a responsible manner.

The need for more pipelines? We definitely need more pipelines! A Conservative government will repeal the onerous new laws brought in by the Liberals, including the oil tanker ban on the west coast, to ensure that new pipelines get built and that Saskatchewan resources can get to world markets.

Western alienation? Western Canada should know that it will have an ally in Ottawa come October, a new federal government that recognizes the precious role our western provinces play in creating opportunity for all Canadians. Conservatives will champion Western Canada’s natural resources and ensure that we are able to get them to market, not just around the world, but here in Canada as well.

China? What should our approach be with some of our markets blocked? Canada’s relationship with China needs a total reset. We will launch a formal complaint at the World Trade Organization if China’s trade blockades persist. A Conservative government would also not allow Canada to be without an ambassador to China for eight months as we saw under the Liberals for most of this year.

Are we facing a climate change crisis? Is carbon tax the answer? The carbon tax is slow, ineffective, and puts the burden onto ordinary consumers. But the reality is most consumers find switching to clean energy choices to be relatively difficult and expensive. This is demonstrated by the fact the Auditor General has reported that Canada will not meet our emissions targets under the Paris Accord. In fact, Canada is falling further and further behind in our emissions targets.

The Conservative Party’s plan will require the heavy emitters to earmark funds every year for research and development into clean energy technologies and other technologies for fighting climate change. In this way, Canada can become a world leader in climate change technology, and these technologies can be shared with the rest of the world. This way, instead of focusing on Canada’s two percent of global emissions, we will focus on 100 per cent of global emissions through new technologies.

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

On days off I enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a walk around the neighbourhood.

Who inspires you?

I would have to say my parents. They are hard-working, average Canadians who have worked all of their lives, and they always made my brother and me a priority.

What is your hidden talent?

Walking up and down Main Street Rouleau as a background extra in Corner Gas.

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

I wish I were more fluent in French. I took some French immersion courses years ago, but my French has gotten very rusty due to lack of practice.

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

My two grandfathers and my paternal grandmother. Both of my grandfathers died before I was born, and my paternal grandmother died when I was very young, so I only have a few memories of her.