Conservative MP Chris Lewis talks about his priorities in the new parliament

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Sporting a sling with his right wrist in a cast, several broken ribs, a torn rotator cuff, and a large scratch to his face, reelected Conservative MP from Essex Chris Lewis certainly looks like he’s been through political wars.

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However, the physical picture does not match the healthy politics, as Lewis solidified his grip on the federal leadership of Essex by collecting a record 28,741 votes in Monday’s election.

“Doctors at the fracture clinic (at Windsor Regional Hospital) joked with me that they had a bet on the day he would show up,” said Lewis, who was injured when he was thrown by his scared horse while riding with his wife Allison. Monday.

“They said they were going to put me in bubble wrap so they could send me back to Ottawa to do my job.”

Despite the pain of his injuries, Lewis is eager to return to the House of Commons, where he was only able to serve four months before the COVID-19 pandemic dispersed Canada’s MPs across the country.

“I am incredibly grateful for the support and trust that so many have placed in me by sending me back to Ottawa,” Lewis said.

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Lewis said the electorate did so with a very clear message. One said it rang across the country.

“People didn’t want an election and that was clear from the first day I knocked on doors,” Lewis said.

“I think all the deputies heard the same thing. The voters want us in Ottawa to work together to solve problems. “

Lewis said a date has yet to be set for the impeachment of Parliament.

When the nation’s business resumes, Lewis said his priorities would be flood mitigation, opening the U.S. border and supporting the transition of the area’s automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors to the era of vehicles. electric and autonomous.

“Electric vehicles are the future,” said Lewis, who is the president of the Conservative Auto Caucus.

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“You see the billions that are invested on the other side of the river. There is no reason why Windsor Essex cannot be a world leader in electric vehicles. “

However, Lewis added good jobs and a vibrant economy don’t mean much when people are rescuing flooded homes too often.

This week’s flood is a reminder of those vulnerabilities.

“My top priority is flood mitigation,” Lewis said.

“We saw him again this week at Lakeshore. The same is true in the Colchester area.

“Municipalities need a good partner from the federal government to invest in infrastructure.”

Lewis said many of the region’s problems are ones where parliamentarians in the area share common ground and will work together to move forward.

He hopes the good working relationship he has developed with liberal Irek Kusmierczyk (Windsor-Tecumseh), Brian Masse (Windsor-West) of the NDP and conservative Dave Epp (Chatham-Kent-Leamington) will continue.

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“During the height of the pandemic, for the first eight months, the four of us met with Zoom every two weeks to work on issues like migrant workers and opening the border,” Lewis said.

“There is a lot more collaboration than people think.”

Lewis added that he hopes the level of bipartisanship in the next Parliament will improve without any party wanting to face the ire of voters in another snap election.

Reflecting on his first term and the recently completed campaign, Lewis admits that he has drawn from the lessons learned as an entrepreneur by trying to do politics differently. You have tried to leverage your perceived personal interaction strengths.

“Because of that (business experience), I bring a very different angle to politics,” Lewis said. “Maybe a little unconventional.

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“Just because it’s always been done one way doesn’t mean we have to do it the same way.

“(People) want to see their representatives in their space, especially now. People need an opportunity to vent their frustrations and that cannot be achieved by watching a debate.

“It has to be done face to face or over the phone or on a Zoom call.”

Lewis added that he feels he is better prepared for his second term and has built relationships in the House of Commons that are key to impacting the legislation.

“On a personal basis, I have learned how important it is to fully communicate your decisions in Parliament and why you made them,” Lewis said.

“Never assume that people know. We will do a better job of that this quarter. “

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