Karen Ludwig

Karen Ludwig MP is a Canadian Liberal politician, who was elected to represent the riding of New Brunswick Southwest in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2015 federal election.[1] She was the first woman ever to win in the riding,[2] traditionally seen as a Conservative stronghold.

Karen Ludwig
MP
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for New Brunswick Southwest
Assumed office
October 19, 2015
Preceded by John Williamson
Personal details
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Andrew Ludwig
Children

Dylan

Danielle

Background

Prior to entering politics, she was a business owner, an associate dean, and a teacher.[3] She has Master of Arts and Master of Education degrees, and a CITP designation.[3] Ludwig joined the Faculty of Business Administration at University of New Brunswick in 2002.[4] In 2009, she was nominated for the Allan P. Stuart Award for Excellence in Teaching at UNB and in 2012, the Faculty of Business presented Karen with its Departmental Award in Teaching Excellence for her teaching of International Trade in their MBA Program.

Ludwig lives in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, in her riding with her husband Andrew.[5]

Federal politics

Ludwig was elected to represent the riding of New Brunswick Southwest in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2015 federal election.[6] She was the first woman to win in the riding,[7] traditionally seen as a Conservative stronghold.[8]

Roles in the House of Commons

In 2015, Ludwig was nominated as the Chair of the New Brunswick Caucus[9] and continues to hold that role today. In 2018, Ludwig was elected as a Vice-Chair of the Canada-US Inter Parliamentary Group. Ludwig is also a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade, and formerly a member of the Standing Committee for the Status of Women.[10]

Voting Record

MP Ludwig is known for representing her constituents and acting accordingly, voting against government eight times since being elected. Healthy debate, consultation, and being well informed are hallmarks of Ludwig’s style.

  • She voted in support of an opposition motion calling ISIS atrocities "genocide" in 2016.[11][12]
  • In 2016, she voted against the Government in order to support Bill C-230, a Private Member's Bill presented by Conservative MP Larry Miller, which sought to provide a definition of the term "variant" as it applies to firearms classification.[13][14]
  • She voted against government to extend debate on Bill C-71 and completed the Firearm Safety Training Course in June 2018 to understand how the proposed changes in legislation would affect gun owners in her riding.[15]

To view all votes by MP Karen Ludwig, please visit OurCommons.ca

Key Issues

Lyme disease

Ludwig is an advocate for the awareness, prevention and treatment of Lyme disease, and in May 2016, co-chaired a national roundtable on the disease.[16][17][18] She led a series of roundtables across the country following the national one,[19] and supported a pilot project in her riding for increased tick surveillance.[20]

Most recently, Ludwig was joined by representatives from New Brunswick's universities, research institutions, and medicals professions at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick to discuss research and awareness on Lyme.[21]

Glyphosate Spraying in New Brunswick

On May 30, 2018, MP Ludwig called on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health to review the spraying the controversial herbicide, glyphosate. Her request came in the form of a letter to the Clerk of the Health Committee and to the Chair of the Committee, MP Bill Casey.

Motion 154 - Study on the Situation of Canada's Endangered Whales

Ludwig introduced a Private Members Motion in the House of Commons on April 23,[22] 2018 calling on government to mandate the Standing Committee of Fisheries and Oceans to undertake a Study on the Situation of Canada’s Endangered Whale species, including the North Atlantic Right Whale, St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga and Southern Resident Killer Whale.[23]

Motion 154 received rare unanimous support in the House of Commons on June 6, 2018. MP Ludwig was quoted in iPolitics saying the unanimous vote "demonstrates that Parliamentarians can stand together."[24]

Text of the Motion

That the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be instructed to undertake a study on the situation of endangered whales and be mandated to (i) identify steps that could be taken to continue the efforts to protect and help the recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga, and Southern Resident Killer Whales, (ii) identify immediate and longer term improvements limiting the impact of human activities on each of these species and, by so doing, add to recovery efforts and to recommendations for new or enhanced actions, (iii) call on expert witnesses on each of the species, and those who might be impacted by any possible actions to work to find a balance among various competing claims; and that the Committee present its final report to the House by the end of the 2018 calendar year.[25]

Amendments were introduced to the motion by from its original version during first hour of debate Kevin Lamoureux to allow for flexibility of the committee to conduct the study, and to highlight the importance of finding a balance between maximum protections for the whales while causing minimal impact to industry.[26]

The Motion is dedicated to a constituent, Joseph Howlett, who lost his life while he was disentangling a North Atlantic right whale. Joe participated in nearly 30 whale rescues over the past 15 years.[27]

Quotes and Endorsements

  • "It is a truly noble cause to try to save the last of any species." - Mel Arnold, CPC, April 23, 2018, Speech made during first hour of debate on the Motion[28]
  • "A study undertaken by the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans will benefit all efforts to conserve our endangered whales by producing an all-party examination of the situation and how it can be improved. CWF will be pleased to be an active participant in this study." - Rick Bates, CEO and Executive Vice President, Canadian Wildlife Federation [29]
  • "Our members, through their actions, have been at the forefront of efforts to protect whales by investing in research, looking at ship design and collaboration with other stakeholders. We also support any initiative that leads to better stewardship of efforts to protect these whales." - Serge A. Buy, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Ferry Association[29]
  • "Private Members Bill M-154 includes the need for government to identify immediate and longer term improvements that limit the impact of human activities on these whales, and by so doing, add to recovery efforts and to recommendations for new or enhanced actions." - Misty MacDuffee, Wild Salmon Program Director, Raincoast Conservation Foundation[29]

International Trade and Relations

Ludwig, who has been a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade since being elected in 2015, was elected as Vice-Chair of the Canada-USA Inter-parliamentary Group in 2018. She traveled to Washington three times in 2017/18 during NAFTA negotiations to meet with U.S. legislators and business organizations.[30] In May 2018, she traveled to Southeast Asia as part of an international delegation selected to open new markets for trade.

Electoral record

Canadian federal election, 2015: New Brunswick Southwest
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalKaren Ludwig16,65643.92+30.36–
ConservativeJohn Williamson14,62538.56-18.10–
New DemocraticAndrew Graham4,76812.57-10.74–
GreenGayla MacIntosh1,8774.95-0.15–
Total valid votes/Expense limit 37,926100.00 $197,944.39
Total rejected ballots 2200.58–
Turnout 38,14674.25–
Eligible voters 51,376
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +24.23
Source: Elections Canada[31][32]

References

  1. ↑ "Profile - Ludwig, Karen". lop.parl.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  2. ↑ "A look at women in politics for International Women's Day, with NB Southwest MP, Karen Ludwig - The Saint Croix Courier". The Saint Croix Courier. 2017-03-10. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  3. 1 2 "PARLINFO – Parliamentarian File – Complete File – LUDWIG, Karen, M.A., M.Ed., CITP". Library of Parliament. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Karen Ludwig". www.unb.ca. University of New Brunswick. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Local MP welcomes federal cabinet in St. Andrews". CBC News. January 18, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  6. ↑ McHardie, Daniel (19 October 2015). "Liberals sweep New Brunswick's 10 ridings". CBC News. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  7. ↑ "New Brunswick elects 3 women to House of Commons". CBC News. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  8. ↑ McHardie, Daniel (October 25, 2015). "Dissecting the Liberal sweep in New Brunswick". CBC News. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Telegraph-Journal". www.telegraphjournal.com. Retrieved 2018-06-18.
  10. ↑ "Karen Ludwig". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  11. ↑ Smith, Joanna (June 14, 2016). "Four Liberal MPs supported Tory motion calling ISIS atrocities 'genocide'". Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  12. ↑ Maloney, Ryan (June 14, 2016). "Trudeau, Liberal MPs Vote Against Tory Motion Declaring ISIS Atrocities As Genocide". Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Vote Details". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  14. ↑ Gowan, Rob (October 20, 2016). "MP Miller's firearm bill defeated". Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  15. ↑ CBC, News. "New Brunswick MP says discussion about tougher gun laws will continue". CBC. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  16. ↑ Blanch, Vanessa (May 26, 2016). "Lyme disease gets national attention from MPs". CBC News. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  17. ↑ Trainor, Sarah (June 10, 2016). "Health 'not a partisan issue' Karen Ludwig says of Lyme disease roundtable". CBC News. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  18. ↑ Blanch, Vanessa. "Lyme disease gets attention of MP Karen Ludwig" (May 26, 2016). CBC. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  19. ↑ Trainor, Sarah. "More national round tables planned for Lyme disease awareness" (June 10, 2016). CBC. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  20. ↑ Lau, Rebecca. "New blacklegged tick risk areas identified in New Brunswick" (September 22, 2017). Global. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  21. ↑ "MP Karen Ludwig Organizes Roundtable on Lyme Research in NB | Karen Ludwig | Your member of parliament for New Brunswick Southwest". kludwig.liberal.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  22. ↑ "Debates (Hansard) No. 283 - April 23, 2018 (42-1) - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  23. ↑ Bissett, Kevin (April 22, 2018). "'Before the point of no return': New Brunswick Liberal calling for federal study on Canada's endangered whales". Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Motion to study endangered whales gets rare unanimous House support - iPolitics". iPolitics. 2018-06-06. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  25. ↑ "Karen Ludwig - Private Members' Motions - Current Session (Filtered Results)". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  26. ↑ "Debates (Hansard) No. 283 - April 23, 2018 (42-1) - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  27. ↑ "Debates (Hansard) No. 283 - April 23, 2018 (42-1) - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  28. ↑ "Debates (Hansard) No. 283 - April 23, 2018 (42-1) - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  29. 1 2 3 "Karen Ludwig | Your member of parliament for New Brunswick Southwest". kludwig.liberal.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  30. ↑ CBC, News (November 28, 2017). "MP Karen Ludwig at international trade talks in Washington, D.C." Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  31. ↑ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for New Brunswick Southwest, 30 September 2015
  32. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates Archived 2015-08-15 at the Wayback Machine.
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