Rachael Harder

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Rachael Harder Serving at her Annual Whoop Up Days Pancake Breakfast

Rachael Harder MP,(born 1986) is a Canadian politician who established a political record in Lethbridge, Alberta by being elected as the first woman to represent the riding in the House of Commons of Canada on 2015 federal election[1]. at the age of 29. As well as serving as an MP, Harder has taken on the roles of Critic for Youth and Persons with Disabilities for the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet of the 42nd Parliament of Canada as well as Conservative Shadow Minister for Status of Women[2] . She is well-known for her support of youth, making their voices known and acted upon through her Youth Advisory Board.


LIFE BEFORE ENTERING POLITICS[edit]

Prior to becoming an MP, Rachael Harder earned her Associate of Arts Degree in General Social Sciences from Briercrest College and a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts with a General Social Sciences Major in Sociology, Political Science and Psychology from the University [1] Utilizing these degrees and gaining an understanding of Canadian youth’s values and beliefs, she travelled around the country, working as a Youth Sociologist and Consultant.

Political positions[edit]


Rachael Harder

MP
Official Opposition Critic for Status of Women
Assumed office
August 30, 2017
LeaderAndrew Scheer
Preceded byRona Ambrose
Member of Parliament
for Lethbridge
Assumed office
October 19, 2015
Preceded byJim Hillyer
Personal details
Born1986 (age 32–33)
Kathyrn, Alberta
Political partyConservative
ResidenceLethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Alma materBriercrest College and Seminary (AA)
University of Lethbridge (BA, BEd)

CASSIE AND MOLLY’S LAW[edit]

After the murder of Cassandra Kaakewas [2], who was seven months pregnant at the time, a private member’s bill was created, Bill C-25 [3], calling for an amendment to the Criminal Code. Bill C-25 was named Cassie and Molly’s Law, after the murdered mother and the name she planned to give her unborn child. The law would charge one who caused harm to a pregnant woman to not only be held accountable for violating the woman, but the pre-born baby as well. MP Harder supported the Bill [4] , but it was defeated 76 to 133 votes.

RESPONSE TO BILL C-71[edit]

In June of 2018, proposed Bill C-71 , which would call for tougher restrictions on gun ownership, was criticized by MP Rachael Harder. She stated that the Bill would, ‘target or go after firearm owners who have already gone through extensive background checks and safety courses in order to possess their guns and use them lawfully.’ [5] She did not stand alone in that point of view, presenting a record-breaking e-petition 1608, which called for the repeal of Bill C-71. The petition, created by 15 year-old Ryan Slingerland, received more than 86,000 signatures [6].

COMMUNITY BUILDERS AWARDS[edit]

In an effort to encourage and recognize active citizens who selflessly invest in the lives of others and make the community a greater place to live, MP Harder launched the ‘Community Builders Awards.’ [7] Started in 2017, the award is presented to the following four categories: Youth Leader, an individual under eighteen who has made significant contributions to the community through volunteerism; Adult Leader, an individual over eighteen who has made significant contributions to the community through volunteerism; Business leader, a local business that exemplifies what it means to give back to the community; and lastly; Not-for-Profit Leader, a local not-for-profit organization that utilizes creative and innovative practices to serve the community.

LETHBRIDGE TOP FORTY UNDER FORTY[edit]

In 2016, Rachael Harder was nominated as one of Lethbridge’s Top Forty Under Forty. The award is given to people in the community that thrive in business, entrepreneurship, arts, athletics those that strive to make Lethbridge and region a better place to live and work [8]. 

CREDIT CARD FAIRNESS ACT[edit]

Bill C-419, the Credit Card Fairness Act, was introduced to the House of Commons by MP Rachael Harder on October 31, 2018. Accompanying it’s introduction was the supporting Petition e-2015. The purpose of the bill was to amend the Bank Act, the Trust and Loan Companies Act, the Insurance Companies Act and the Cooperative Credit Associations Act. Harder commented regarding the act, “Conservatives remain focused on creating opportunities to help Canadians get ahead. That’s why she introdroduced the Credit Card Fairness Act, which calls for seven measures that will empower Canadians to make informed decisions, pay off debt faster, and achieve greater financial freedom.” [9] Essentially, the Credit Card Fairness Act called for banks and marketing materials to be more transparent with customers through the requirement for banks to disclose on the monthly statement how much interest the cardholder has paid in the previous 12 months, require banks to obtain consent before increasing a cardholder’s credit limit etc.

ABORTION STANCE[edit]

The pro-life organization Campaign Life Coalition gave Harder a near-perfect voting record and she has said that she will "always advocate for the preborn"[3]. Harder voted in favour of Bill C-225, also known as Cassie and Molly's Law, in January 2016, which would have made it "an offence to cause injury or death to a preborn child while committing or attempting to commit an offence against a pregnant woman and to add pregnancy as an aggravating circumstance for the purpose of sentencing" [4].

In September 2017, Harder was nominated by Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer to chair the parliamentary committee on the Status of Women. However, MPs from other parties walked out and a vote did not occur due in protest to her pro-life position.[5][6][7][8] Liberal MP Monsef explained that the committee "decided that having their spokesperson, and their chair, be someone who does not support a woman's right to choose, is not supportive a person's rights, is not the best choice".[9]


CONCERNS ABOUT GROWING TREND WITH YOUTH SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR[edit]

In 2011, a report from the Public Health Agency of Canada came out showing that youth are more likely to have multiple sexual partners [10]. "The rate of sexually transmitted infections is growing among youth and young adults, according to the report. Chlamydia infections among women aged 20 to 24 years were more than seven times the national average for other age groups. Of all reported cases of gonorrhea, seven in 10 are among youth age 15 to 29 years. More than one-fifth (22 per cent) of all positive HIV tests in 2009 were among young adults 20 to 29 years"[10]. Harder, as a former educator, told Christian Week she suspects that media is encouraging experimentation and making it look fun to do so, which is why we are seeing this increase stated in the report. She also mentioned that while many public school teachers in Alberta encourage students to explore their sexuality, education should also take place at home so that youth are aware of the risks and ways to be safe.[11]


Electoral record[edit]

2015 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Rachael Harder 32,321 56.8 +4.29 –
New Democratic Cheryl Meheden 11,674 20.5 -9.45 –
Liberal Mike Pyne 10,532 18.5 +9.37 –
Green Kas MacMillan 1,461 2.6 -1.88 –
Christian Heritage Geoffrey Capp 746 1.3 -2.27 –
Rhinoceros Solly Krygier-Paine 209 0.4 – –
Total valid votes/Expense limit 56,943 100.0     $215,495.48
Total rejected ballots 158 – –
Turnout 57,101 69.44% –
Eligible voters 82,225
Conservative hold Swing +6.87
Source: Elections Canada[12][13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Martin, Kevin (24 August 2015). "Canada Election 2015: Lethbridge candidates and the issues". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Andrew Scheer announces Conservative 'shadow cabinet' - Macleans.ca". 30 August 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  3. ^ Coalition, Campaign Life. "MP Rachael Harder - Lethbridge - Voting Records - Campaign Life Coalition". https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com. Retrieved 2018-12-14. External link in |website= (help)
  4. ^ https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/C-225/first-reading
  5. ^ "Voting out anti-abortion MP Rachael Harder - Macleans.ca". www.macleans.ca. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  6. ^ Sep 26, John Paul Tasker · CBC News · Posted:; October 27, 2017 4:42 PM ET | Last Updated:; 2017. "Liberals walk out after Conservatives pick anti-abortion MP for status of women committee chair | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  7. ^ www.catholicregister.org https://www.catholicregister.org/item/26108-mp-rachael-harder-shunned-by-committee-due-to-pro-life-beliefs. Retrieved 2018-12-14. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ "Anti-abortion Tory MP Rachael Harder loses bid for status of women committee chair | The Star". thestar.com. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  9. ^ Sep 26, John Paul Tasker · CBC News · Posted:; October 27, 2017 4:42 PM ET | Last Updated:; 2017. "Liberals walk out after Conservatives pick anti-abortion MP for status of women committee chair | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  10. ^ "Worrying trends in teen sexuality". ChristianWeek. 2011-12-14. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
  11. ^ "Worrying trends in teen sexuality". ChristianWeek. 2011-12-14. Retrieved 2018-12-14 from: http://www.christianweek.org/worrying-trends-in-teen-sexuality/
  12. ^ "Voter Information Service - Who are the candidates in my electoral district?". www.elections.ca. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  13. ^ "Elections Canada On-line - Élection Canada en-ligne". www.elections.ca. Retrieved 28 November 2017.

External links[edit]


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