Liberal MP Sean Fraser says he is “filled with gratitude” after securing the win in the Central Nova riding, Monday night, solidifying his comeback to federal politics.
He tells our newsroom he doesn’t underestimate what he is taking on nor does he take it for granted.
“It’s a pretty serious responsibility you take on, to have the opportunity to represent your community in the House of Commons,” says Fraser.
For most of Monday night, Fraser was neck and neck, just trailing behind Conservative Candidate Brycen Jenkins– but he kept faith.
“We trusted the process. We trusted the work. There were a few moments along the way where you start to ask yourself questions, but in the end, the result was what we had hoped for and what we had expected,” says Fraser,
What will be different this time?
Fraser served as MP under the Trudeau Liberal government for nearly a decade, elected in 2015.
He stepped down as Housing Minister in December to spend more time with his family but one-half hour phone call from Prime Minister Mark Carney, changed his mind.
“What impressed me was, he very quickly pivoted the conversation to say, ‘I know you’ve got young kids. I know that’s why you made a decision to step away. What does making it work look like?’,” notes Fraser.
Any additional responsibilities, he adds, cannot send him all over the world.
“I sincerely want to balance the opportunity to be both an excellent member of parliament but an engaged husband and father too,” says Fraser.
Main priorities
Housing and healthcare are definitely key issues, but the one major priority to tackle, he says, is tensions with our neighbour to the south.
“We can’t take our eyes of the major threat facing our economy, which is managing the relationship with the United States. Growing our economy here at home, by engaging with partners all over the world,” says Fraser.
And as for working under Carney, Fraser says he is a big supporter.
“He is one of the most respected economic voices anywhere in the world. I’ve had a few supporters say it feels like he’s been grown in a lab for this particular moment, having managed economic crisis before of this nature,” adds Fraser.
“He’s a gentleman, he’s intelligent, he’s hard working and I’m very proud to be a member of his team.”
