With the possibility of a federal election looming, Conservative MP Larry Brock is already in campaign mode. Elected in 2021 as the Member of Parliament for Brantford-Brant, Brock—a former Crown Attorney with 18 years of experience—welcomed over 100 constituents to his New Year’s Open House at the Polish Hall in Brantford this Saturday.
In a wide-ranging interview with BrantBlog.ca, Brock laid out his priorities for 2025, addressing the affordability crisis, housing shortages, government spending, and crime—issues he says are at the forefront of Canadians’ concerns.
“The affordability issue has been on the forefront for the last several years,” Brock said. “It’s become even more significant in the past year with rising grocery prices, carbon tax increases, and the anticipated quadrupling of the carbon tax on April 1st.”
The Shadow Minister for Justice and Attorney General of Canada emphasized that a Conservative government would make affordability a top priority. “First, we are going to eliminate the tax—completely remove the carbon tax,” he said. “We are discussing the removal of taxes on home heating, utilities, gasoline, and diesel because, as the government claims, these taxes are intended to address climate change; however, evidence suggests they are ineffective and disproportionately burden Canadians.”
On housing, Brock criticized the Liberal government’s handling of the crisis, stating it has failed to build the homes necessary to accommodate rising immigration numbers. “We have one of the largest land masses in the world—there’s no reason for this shortage. We need to cut the red tape and get homes built quickly,” he said.
Brock also took aim at what he described as the government’s “spending addiction.”
“Our national debt is over $1.3 trillion,” he noted. “We’re paying more in interest than we are in health transfers to provinces, and that’s why we have the healthcare mess we do today. We need to fix the budget, eliminate waste, and prioritize spending.”
He pointed to excessive reliance on outside consultants and a bloated federal public service as key areas for reform. “Justin Trudeau increased the size of the public service by 40%, but we need to let the professionals we already have do their jobs without wasting millions on consultants,” he said.
Crime and community safety remain pressing concerns in Brantford, and Brock vowed to reverse what he called “soft-on-crime policies.”
“There are too many repeat offenders causing havoc in our streets,” he said. “We’re going to make sure those violent offenders stay behind bars and stop getting bail. Keeping our communities safe must be a priority.”
Brock didn’t hold back when discussing Canada’s international image.
“We need to restore Canada’s reputation on the global stage,” he said. “Right now, Justin Trudeau’s record has left us as a laughingstock, especially on military spending. We need to prioritize defense, secure our borders, and crack down on gun and drug smuggling.”
He cited the struggles faced by Canadian military personnel, including low pay and limited resources. “We’ve got troops relying on food banks—how is that acceptable? We need to equip and support our military properly.”
Closer to home, Brock addressed the rapid growth of Brantford-Brant and the challenges it brings.
“This region is one of the best places to live, work, and play in Canada,” he said. “But we need to keep up with growth by improving infrastructure and ensuring we have the housing and workforce to sustain it.”
Brock emphasized the importance of cooperation between federal, provincial, and municipal governments. “It’s not one-size-fits-all. We need to work together to attract the right people for the right jobs while building the infrastructure they need,” he said.
On the issue of mental health and addiction, Brock advocated for a shift in approach.
“We’ve seen that ‘safe supply’ programs have failed,” he said. “We need to focus on recovery—getting people off drugs, not sustaining their addictions. No one wakes up one day and decides to become an addict. It’s about giving people hope and the resources they need to rebuild their lives.”
He added that a Conservative government would prioritize funding for treatment programs and recovery services, calling it a “compassionate approach” to addiction.
With the next federal election scheduled for October 2025—but rumors of an earlier call swirling—Brock said he’s ready.
“In 2021, I knocked on close to 50,000 doors, and I’ve been canvassing year-round ever since,” he said. “People often tell me they only see politicians during elections. That’s not me—I’ve been out there, checking in with constituents and making sure their voices are heard.”
Brock’s confidence in his record and connection to the community was clear. “I’m ready—whether the election comes this year or next,” he said.
As the event wrapped up, Brock mingled with attendees, many of whom voiced their appreciation for his accessibility and focus on local issues.
“We need someone who’s willing to fight for affordability, housing, and safety,” said Brantford resident Karen Matthews. “Larry’s been doing that.”
With his sights set on another term, Brock is betting that his message of fiscal responsibility, community safety, and economic stability will resonate with voters in Brantford-Brant—and beyond.
