Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound federal Conservative candidate Alex Ruff is running in this election with an aim to return to the office he’s held since 2019.
Top issues for him in his third federal election race in five years are affordability and how that ties to inflation, housing, the federal deficit, tariffs, and Canada’s economic growth, but also looking out for seniors, farmers, and veterans.
Ruff says he got into politics to make a difference, explaining, “It’s why I’m continuing to run after five years.” Ruff, adds, “There’s still a lot more to do. Unfortunately I’ve only had the privilege of being part of the opposition party, not part of the governing party so, still a lot more to do, to get what I think Canada needs to get back on track with respect to support for all Canadians, but in particular those of us that live in rural Canada.”
Ruff, who is from the village of Tara, says, “I’m passionate about it. I’m enjoying it. As long as I’m excited and passionate to be that voice for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound in Ottawa, why wouldn’t I do it?”
Ruff is a retired infantry Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces who served two tours in Bosnia, two in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. He notes, “I don’t know anything else other than serving Canada and serving Canadians. My whole adult life was in the military up until I made the transition to politics. So, I’m going to continue to do it as long as the people will have me, and as long as I have that passion and excitement to continue to serve and continue to do what I can for our great riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.”
Ruff says top of mind for him is affordability, explaining, “It’s just gotten worse over the last five years with some 40-year record inflation that we’ve had to deal with.” He says while inflation has come down overall, he thinks US President Donald Trump’s Tariff threats will impact that. “I think we’re going to see inflation rise again, but food inflation has still actually remained quite high.”
Ruff argues, “Part of the reason why, is the Liberal carbon tax and the liberal sort of idea of increasing taxes on everything.” He says Canadians are seeing the effect of the recent removal of that tax on consumers, noting, “So that’s already helping a little bit, but again we need to axe that tax for good.”
He says housing is another another issue tied to affordability, especially for those on a fixed income, and also young people, noting, “I don’t think there’s been a youth that I’ve talked to yet that hasn’t said ‘I’m absolutely voting for you Alex and for the Conservatives’ because they understand that we’re the party running with their future in mind.”‘
Ruff adds, “Tied to affordability, again are small businesses and the lack of growth in our economy. Unfortunately over the last decade, Canada has had the second lowest GDP per capita growth in all the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). The only country that has performed worse than us is Luxembourg. So we’re I think around 1.4 per cent growth of GDP per capita in the last decade, whereas the G7, EU average is all around eight to ten per cent,” says Ruff.
He adds, “The fact that our economy hasn’t been really growing, that’s had an impact on quality jobs and opportunities here in Canada, and we’ve seen $500bn in investment flow out of Canada in that last decade which all impacts affordability.”
As for seniors, Ruff says, “I was really happy to see Mr. Poilievre come out with a policy just last week on a couple of key measures that will help our seniors with respect to allowing them, if they’re still able to continue to work, to earn an additional $10,000 tax free up to $34,000 without having an impact on their old-age pensions. As well, allowing them to defer taking money out of their RRSPs until 73 versus the 71 that it’s currently set at and just reassuring Canadians despite the liberal attack ads…a Conservative government will not touch the retirement age– it’s staying at 65,” says Ruff.
Ruff believes there’s a need to bring in dollar-for-dollar legislation and look at fiscal management, noting, “Unfortunately, with the doubling of the national debt over the last decade with the liberals in power, we’re now paying over $54bn a year interest on our national debt. So we’ve got to get our fiscal house in order.”
At the local level, says Ruff, “A huge thing is our support for agriculture and support for farmers. That’s always going to be one of my priorities because that’s really the main economic driver here in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.” Ruff says, “We’ll see what happens, but I’m actually somewhat optimistic the US has not chosen to bring in further tariffs on any of our CUSMA exempt products or services that we’re selling.”
Another key priority for Ruff is national security, Canada’s military and veterans. “I’ve had that privilege as many of your listeners will know, to sit on the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians the last two and a half years, was one of the co-authors of that report to highlight the challenges of foreign interference in our country and the lack of action taken by the liberal government,” says Ruff, adding, “Obviously, with my 25 years plus in the military, I always stand up for the need to actually put more money into our defence and our Canadian Armed Forces to meet especially our NATO commitment of spending two per cent of our GDP on our military, which is again, part of the challenges we’re facing with Mr. Trump in the US. And of course, we’ve got to support our veterans,” says Ruff, noting he’ll always be a voice for them.
Meanwhile, he’s encouraging people to get out and vote, saying,”I’m a big believer in democracy, I’ve had that privilege of being around the world and unfortunately, been in countries where voters don’t always have that opportunity of partaking in democracy and so get out there and vote. Ruff says, he’d rather lose this election because 100 per cent of the eligible voters voted. “The voter is always right, ultimately, they get out and vote, but at the same time, I want really to win,” says Ruff.
In 2021, Ruff was re-elected for a second term with 49.2 per cent of the vote, Liberal Anne Marie Watson was second, with 25.2 per cent of the vote, followed by the NDP’ Christopher Neudorf at 13.6 per cent.
In 2019, Ruff was elected for his first term with 46.1 per cent of the vote, followed by Liberal Michael Den Tant with 30.1 per cent of the vote, and third was NDP candidate Chris Steven with 11.7 per cent of the vote.
Also running in Bruce-Grey Owen Sound in this election are (as of Monday April 7th) Liberal Anne Marie Watson, New Democrat Chris Neudorf, and Natasha Akiwenzie for the Greens. Pavel Smolko is running for the People’s Party and Ann Gillies is running for the United Party also have candidates registered in the riding.
Election day is April 28th.
