Rachael Thomas

Rachael Thomas (née Harder) MP (born 1986) is a Canadian politician who was elected to represent the riding of Lethbridge in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2015 federal election.[2] Thomas was reelected to represent Lethbridge in the 2019 Canadian federal election, gaining over 60 per cent of the popular vote. Thomas won her seat with over 30,000 more votes than her competitors.[3]

Rachael Thomas
MP
Rachael Harder in 2015
Member of Parliament
for Lethbridge
Assumed office
October 19, 2015
Preceded byJim Hillyer
Personal details
Born
Rachael Harder

1986 (age 34–35)
Kathyrn, Alberta, Canada
Political partyConservative
ResidenceLethbridge, Alberta[1]
Alma materBriercrest College and Seminary (AA)
University of Lethbridge (BA, BEd)

Following her re-election in 2019, Thomas served as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. In this position, she acted as an impartial mediator and led the committee through discussions on the WE Charity investigation.

In February, 2021, Thomas was appointed the Shadow Minister for Digital Government. In that file, she advocated for protecting people’s private information, ensuring full consent for its collection and use is given, and rightful ownership of data is guaranteed. In a press release she stated: “In order to have public confidence in government services, there has to be adequate safeguards, transparency and proper reporting mechanisms. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to make this happen in my new role.” [4]

On October 21, 2021, Thomas was reelected for the third time as the Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, Alberta with 55% of the vote.

Early life and schooling

Thomas grew up on a farm in southern Alberta.[5] At the age of eleven, Thomas began her own business raising and boarding dogs.[5] While first attending Briercrest College and Seminary in Saskatchewan,[6] Thomas graduated with great distinction from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Sciences.[5]

In 2016, Rachael Thomas was named one of Lethbridge’s “Top 40 under Forty.”

Political positions

2019 federal election platform

Thomas' Conservative platform included a focus on the expansion of the energy sector, and the completion of pipelines.[7] Her environmental positions included ending carbon pricing in Canada, and the prohibition against dumping sewage in waterways such as the West Coast and the St. Lawrence River.[7] Thomas also cited crime and the opioid crisis as a major issue to be tackled, as well as an advance of aid to local peace officers.[7]

During the 42nd Parliament, Thomas served as the Shadow Minister for Status of Women. In this role, she used her voice to stand up for victims of violence, and advocated for the economic empowerment of women.

Thomas is currently a Member of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group, the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group and the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. As a member of these groups, Rachael continues to advocate for Canadian interests on the world stage and works to create bi-lateral ties with her international counterparts.

She also chairs the Canada-Artsakh Parliamentary Friendship Group. This group seeks to raise awareness about the plight of the people of Artsakh and advocate for their sovereignty.

Criticism of carbon taxation

Thomas is opposed to the implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, stating it will increase household debt and will not be effective in its goal to reduce green house gas emissions.[8] Her critique of Carbon Pricing extends to Canada's involvement in the Paris Accord, stating that the targets are too high for Canada to meet.[9] Thomas also is an advocate for higher government transparency with regards to carbon pricing, criticizing the Liberal Party of Canada's fiscal expenditures.[8]

Electoral record
2019 Canadian federal election: Lethbridge
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeRachael Harder40,71365.79+9.03$81,336.37
New DemocraticShandi Bleiken9,11014.72-5.78none listed
LiberalAmy Bronson8,44313.64-4.86$39,899.72
GreenStephnie Watson1,9393.13+0.56none listed
People'sGrant Hepworth1,0071.63-none listed
Christian HeritageMarc Slingerland6701.08-0.23none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 61,88299.46
Total rejected ballots 3350.54
Turnout 62,21769.09
Eligible voters 90,051
Conservative hold Swing +7.42
Source: Elections Canada[10][11]
2015 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeRachael Harder32,32156.8+4.29–
New DemocraticCheryl Meheden11,67420.5-9.45–
LiberalMike Pyne10,53218.5+9.37–
GreenKas MacMillan1,4612.6-1.88–
Christian HeritageGeoffrey Capp7461.3-2.27–
RhinocerosSolly Krygier-Paine2090.4––
Total valid votes/Expense limit 56,943100.0   $215,495.48
Total rejected ballots 158––
Turnout 57,10169.44%–
Eligible voters 82,225
Conservative hold Swing +6.87
Source: Elections Canada[12][13]

References
  1. "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  2. Martin, Kevin (24 August 2015). "Canada Election 2015: Lethbridge candidates and the issues". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  3. Vogt, Terry (2019-10-22). "Candidates react to Conservative landslide in Lethbridge". Calgary. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  4. https://www.pressreader.com/canada/prairie-post-west-edition/20210219/281582358341612. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. "Rachael Harder". Canada's Official Opposition. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  6. "Rachael Harder represents the Conservative Party". Lethbridge Campus Media. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  7. "Harder targets water pollution, drugs in federal election campaign kickoff". The Lethbridge Herald - News and Sports from around Lethbridge. 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  8. "Rachael Harder, "Main Estimates, 2018-19" on June 14th, 2018 | openparliament.ca". openparliament.ca. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  9. "Rachael Harder, "Carbon Pricing" on June 17th, 2019 | openparliament.ca". openparliament.ca. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  10. "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  11. "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  12. "Voter Information Service - Who are the candidates in my electoral district?". www.elections.ca. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  13. "Elections Canada On-line - Élection Canada en-ligne". www.elections.ca. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
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