Will Jan Harder make the jump to federal politics in Barrhaven

Before I start, I just want to say a few words about John Baird.

We often refer to our Federal politicians as ‘honorable’, and they are, but every now and again some distinguish themselves as truly outstanding. John Baird fell into this elite group. He has served his country in multiple capacities at various levels of government for over two decades.

At the peak of his career, John served as Canada’s foreign minister and never shied away from visiting some of the world’s worst conflict zones in order to help bring peace to those who so desperately needed help. John’s contribution to his country transcends politics, he was well respected by all sides of the house.

We wish him all the best in Career 2.0.

Who will carry the Conservative banner in Barrhaven for the 2015 general election?

To say John left some big shoes to fill would be an understatement. I was very happy when I read that he was returning to represent Barrhaven residents at the federal level. And equality saddened by his decision to retire from politics. It truly came as a shock.

Now our attention will turn to who will carry the Conservative banner in Barrhaven at the federal level. And I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the opportunity than Jan Harder.

Jan is a proven entity. Over the years, she has skillfully guided the growth of our community and helped put Barrhaven on the map. The temptation to take her game to the next level must be palatable. She can serve at a higher level, while still maintaining her roots in the community. They say most people vote along party lines in federal elections, but if Jan is on the ticket in 2015, many will be voting for the candidate. Her dedication to the community is that strong.

The next few weeks should prove to be interesting for local politics, as potential contenders start exploring their options. The nomination is wide open, but if Jan throws her hat in the ring, she would surely be considered the front runner and a strong candidate to win the federal seat.

This would of course, open up her municipal seat to a new generation of leadership for the Barrhaven community. And without doubt, those shoes would also be very hard to fill.

The next few weeks should prove very interesting indeed. Stay tuned!