Jeremy Patzer, Conservative Party of Canada

Personal details. Name, age, hometown

Jeremy Patzer. I am 32 years old. My wife and I live in Swift Current with our three kids.

Tell us about yourself

I’m married with three kids. My family is very important to me and they are a big reason why I have become involved in politics. I have always been active in my kids’ lives, whether it is as a coach or helper at kids’ clubs.

What’s a little-known fact about you?

I really enjoy refereeing basketball. I was fortunate enough this summer to ref in the Western Canada Summer Games. That was a great experience.

Why should voters hire you?

We need people in government who can relate to people. I grew up on a family farm where I learned the value and rewards of hard work. As a husband and father of three, I have always worked to provide for my family and felt the pressures of higher taxes and irresponsible government. I will stand up for families both young and old.

Who should we call for a reference?

My wife Kyla.

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

My greatest strength is listening to people. My weakness would be chocolate-covered almonds lol.

Where do you stand on:

Gun laws? We need to protect the rights of our law-abiding citizens. We need to be tough on crime and gangs, and not be harassing our citizens.

The need for more pipelines? We need more pipelines. They are the safest and most environmentally friendly mode of transporting our oil and gas. More pipelines will free up the railways to ship more grain and other goods. It has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the economy.

Western alienation? It is a real thing. Andrew Scheer is the right person to unite this country as prime minister.

China? What should our approach be with some of our markets blocked? We need to have an effective cabinet that is capable of going to China and working on our relationship with them. The agriculture minister had a golden opportunity to establish herself when she was first appointed by going to China and proving she could handle the job. She didn’t.

Are we facing a climate change crisis? Is carbon tax the answer? No, we are not facing a climate change crisis. We do need to be good stewards of the land, and Canadians do a better job of this than anywhere else in the world. Taxing people does not affect change on the climate. We are leaders in the world with our environmental standards, so we should be proud of the product we produce here.

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

Start with coffee on the deck with my wife and then take my kids for a round of golf.

Who inspires you?

I met a man during the Conservative nomination named Sammy Khalife. He immigrated from Lebanon and has done some amazing work with refugees coming to Swift Current and area. He has a heart issue and recently had a VAD installed to allow more time for a heart transplant. Sammy is bold in his faith and he is a testament to what the human will can do.

What is your hidden talent?

I make the best grilled cheese hamburger.

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

I wish I could pitch for the Toronto Blue Jays.

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

My Grandpa Les, who passed away when I was three, Payne Stewart the late golfer, and John Gormley!

How do you take your coffee?

Usually black, but I will take one cream and two sugar to change it up from time to time.

What’s the one album you’d take with you on a desert island? What embarrassing song do you admit to on your playlist?

It would have to be a Queen greatest hits, something upbeat that you can sing along with.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Fantasy football!

What is the last book you read?

The Princess and the Peanut Allergy to my daughter. It was a library book from school she brought home. Other than that, I have been reading a daily book on leadership.