Ashfield has no qualms about federal run
Published Saturday January 3rd, 2009
Keith Ashfield says he never regretted his decision to go into federal politics even when it looked the Harper government might fall just weeks after he was elected.
The Conservative MP for Fredericton won his seat in the Oct. 14 federal election and was named minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency on Oct. 30.
But the federal opposition coalition that threatened to seize power was unveiled Dec. 1, and for a while it looked like Ashfield's time in cabinet would be measured in hours, not years.
"It was trying times, I guess," he said in an interview Friday.
"But I am a bit of an optimist ... Thank God I had some political experience too because if you (were) a rookie in politics it would have been, I imagine, pretty stressful."
Ashfield says a politician has to learn to adjust to the ups and downs of public life.
"God knows I have been through a lot of them provincially," he said.
"This one didn't bother me that much for some reason."
During the turmoil in Ottawa, Ashfield said, he never wished that he stayed nice and safe as the Tory MLA for New Maryland-Sunbury West.
"It was time for me to move on from my political role here in New Brunswick," he said.
"I think it was time for new blood."
Ashfield served as the provincial riding's Tory MLA for 91�„2 years, including several years as minister of natural resources in the former Tory government.
"You can't stay around forever ... It was time for new ideas," he said.
"Jack (Carr, the new Tory MLA for New Maryland-Sunbury West) is doing a good job. He is working hard."
Ashfield said he was more concerned about the idea of the coalition then he was about his own fate.
"Most Canadians are not in favour of it," he said.
Ashfield said the Conservative caucus was kept apprised of the situation as the political conflict came to a head.
"It got a little heated there as we went into parliament ... It was pretty obvious that there had been some plans well in advance of us ever releasing our economic update or our throne speech," he said.
"People lost sight of what was really of concern to Canadians, that being the economy and wanting us to work together."
Ashfield said Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to go to Gov.Gen. Michaelle Jean and request that the House of Commons be prorogued was the right thing to do.
That allowed people to cool off, he said.
"Calmer heads will prevail in this," he said.
Ashfield said he anticipates the opposition parties will support the new budget scheduled to be tabled later this month.
He also said he didn't think the Conservative rhetoric about the coalition and the Bloc Quebecois damaged the government's relationship with the province of Quebec.
Ashfield said he's still adjusting to life in the political hotbed of Ottawa.
"It was interesting to say the least ... I don't know if I will ever adjust to Ottawa," he said. "It is not a lot different. All the fundamentals are the same. It is just getting used to the size."
He said his biggest challenge is getting his offices in Ottawa and Fredericton set up and hiring staff and reading all his briefing binders.
He's still setting up a satellite office in Minto.
"ACOA is a great portfolio ... I could not have asked for a better portfolio," the MP said. "Not only does it keep me in Atlantic Canada, which I truly enjoy, but it gives us an opportunity to try to fund projects that will have an impact on Atlantic Canada."
He said he has visited ACOA offices in Ottawa, Halifax and the head office in Moncton.
He expects to visit offices in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland early in the new year.
"I have also been getting out and meeting some of the clients of ACOA," he said. "That is a good experience as well."
Ashfield said that despite being a member of the federal cabinet, he won't forget his political roots.
Just last week, he said, he delivered a birthday card to a constituent who turned 100 years of age.
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