Conservative party has 'healthy spirit' now: new caucus chair David Sweet

David Sweet, Conservative MP for Flamborough-Glanbrook, became his party's first elected national caucus chair last week.

Before that, the Conservative party leader — most recently, Stephen Harper — appointed the caucus chair himself. But last week, party MPs took advantage of changes brought on by the new Reform Act to democratically elect a chair. That person was Sweet.

Being at the helm in such a visible way is a new role for Sweet. He's chaired other committees, such as the industry and veterans affairs committees. But chairing meetings for a whole caucus is new.

There was a strong feeling that we can move forward.- David Sweet, MP, Flamborough-Glanbrook

CBC Hamilton talked to Sweet about what went wrong for the party during the election, his new role and how life is different without Stephen Harper. 

What does it mean that you're national caucus chair?

First off, I'm very grateful to my colleagues who had faith and confidence in me to vote me in. It's a multifaceted role. I guess I could say I'm a critical conduit for information. I chair, obviously, the weekly caucus meetings, but we also have meetings with regional caucus chairs. I work hand in hand with the interim leader of opposition and work with the other house officers, the whip's office and the house leader to make sure we get information out in a timely fashion to the caucus, and to make sure we run the caucus as effectively as possible not only for us but for all Canadians.

What do you think went wrong for the party during the election?

The main thing in an election is to get your message out. We had a message of lower taxes, of attracting industry and foreign investment to create jobs and to satisfy long-term prosperity for the country. We obviously didn't get that out to the degree that we needed to in order to get the support. It was a lengthy campaign and there were a lot of messages in there from all parties. It was our job to get ours out most effectively and get support, and that didn't help. Although I will say, as well, we do have a very strong opposition and we did get 32 per cent of the vote nationally, so our seat count is not really reflective.

Moving forward, what concerns you about the new government?

Really, I think all the things I identified during the campaign. I'm concerned about spending promises that we can't afford. I'm concerned about hiking taxes on Canadians and on small business. These things don't attract new investment. They tend to give a lack of confidence in the business world and I'm concerned about a hike in pay role taxes as well.

What one accomplishment are you hopeful that this government will not undo?

I hope all the justice measures that we undertook to make sure that victims felt like they were recognized is something that won't be undone. Of course, I had my own private members bill to bring fairness to victims of violent offenders. I'd be very concerned if we went back to the way it was before. Serious offenders re-victimize at parole boards because of the demand that they have to have them so often. The private members bill of mine, one of the key things is to give the parole board tools to defer a hearing if a violent offender wasn't taking every step to rehabilitate.

How has the mood of the party changed since Stephen Harper left?

Well, I think … We met last week. All in all, there was a healthy spirit amongst my colleagues. We are in opposition now. To say that there isn't some disappointment would be absolutely incorrect. But I think there was a strong feeling that we can move forward, that we can hold this government to account and do positive things for Canadians. The election of Rona Ambrose, who's a very bright, very intelligent new leader who's multilingual, who's held several cabinet posts. Even before, when our legacy parties were in opposition, she held a number of critic posts. I think she's a fresh face the party welcomes.