Year of Transition From Campaign to Constituents
The past 12 months have felt like a decade for Scott Anderson, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Vernon–Lake Country–Monashee, who says the job has been both exhausting and rewarding. He spent most of the year moving between Ottawa and his riding, learning the ropes of federal politics while staying connected to community concerns. Anderson, who won his seat on April 28 in the 2025 federal election, says his priority all year was to represent everyday people, to fix problems and to tell the truth about their challenges.
Building Team and Presence in the Riding
One of the first big goals was setting up a strong local office. By July, Anderson’s team had a fully staffed constituency office and satellite outreach in places like Monashee and rural communities. Because of these moves, residents across the riding could access help more easily with federal services.
Anderson praised his staff, who worked on everything from helping constituents navigate immigration and tax issues to responding to thousands of emails and social media questions since election day.
Work in Ottawa: National Defence and Everyday Stressors
In Ottawa, Anderson’s days have been filled with Question Period, committee work and briefings. He said he pressed the government on topics like modernizing NORAD and strengthening Arctic sovereignty, pointing out that global security is becoming more uncertain.
At the same time, he made sure to bring local issues to the fore, including the cost of living, job security and worries about young families staying in the communities they grew up in. In speeches and hallway chats with other MPs, he tied national policy to the stories of sawmill workers, farmers and small business owners back home.
Quiet Wins and Community Engagement
Anderson highlighted nearly 400 casework files opened by his office this year. These included issues like stuck immigration applications, overdue pension payments and veterans’ benefit struggles. He said helping people cut through red tape and get results mattered more to him than headlines.
The MP also worked to stay visible and available, from household mail-outs and calendars mailed to every home to active social media engagement, summer job placements and youth outreach efforts. He joined local roundtables and events, and even took part in community moments like opposing federal action at the Universal Ostrich Farm.
Reflections on Frustration and Hope
Looking back, Anderson said the year was a mix of frustration with a government that at times focused more on announcements than real outcomes, and hope from witnessing the resilience and courage of people in his riding.
As he looks ahead to 2026, his goals remain clear: ask tougher questions, listen more carefully and stay grounded in the concerns of constituents who elected him.
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