Barnes intends to stand up for Canada

Posted on April 24, 2025 by Vauxhall Advance

By Heather Cameron
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Editor’s Note: Barnes missed the original April 14 deadline for election profile features that were published collectively in the April 16 edition. After contacting us subsequent to that deadline, his election profile feature now appears here.

Liberal politician Bentley Barnes is one of five political candidates who will be pursuing the opportunity to represent the Bow River riding in the 2025 federal election.

“I feel strongly that Alberta needs a new approach with Ottawa,” said Barnes. “Scowling threats will get us nowhere. We need to send a different attitude to represent Albertans and I am it.”

According to Barnes’ campaign website, https://bentleybarnes.liberal.ca/, was born in Brandon Man., has lived in Medicine Hat, raised his family in Brooks, and is now running for a seat in this election in order to ‘represent the communities and the people’ of Bow River, believing that the community needs ‘a new option in Ottawa.’ Barnes also says he is also a retired grandfather, part-time musician, and a proud Canadian who has worked as a supervisor in the agriculture production industry, research and development in the energy industry, and managing retail. In addition to that, Barnes says, he has engaged with working people his entire life by serving in many different roles, including president of Bassano Golf Course during its expansion phase, and as a midget hockey governor, where he had the challenges of running both a regular season and playoffs.

“I am standing up for Canada, for choice, for equality. Canada is the best country with the best opportunities for a great life,” said Barnes of why he chose to run for the seat in Bow River. “These things take work, constant hard work,”

Barnes emphasizes that he is also running for the seat in Bow River because he believes that Liberal leader Mark Carney ‘has the skills and experience Canada needs in this period of financial crisis’, and that Carney is also a gentleman, he has a ‘great sense of humour,’ and a ‘really a great sense of everything.’

“Mark Carney is a proud Canadian, a great Canadian, and I thank him for his service to Canada,” said Barnes. “As a proud Canadian, I can tell you we will make it through this, and we will be better than ever. Trump tariffs, we have many strong agricultural communities in the riding and uncertainty is high. This is where Mr. Carney’s global experience and connections will help Canada achieve its goals. The energy sector, although almost entirely exempt from Trump tariffs has felt a sudden shock due to global trade insecurity.”

The arrival of Carney into the political arena, Barnes says, and the need for a strong united Canada is what urged him to pursue such a major political aspiration as he believes that Carney has the financial experience to get us through this global financial crisis brought on by the tariffs.

Being proud Canadians, Barnes says, includes Canada seeing the tariffs, which are a ‘disaster’ for the global economy, as an opportunity for Canada ‘to strengthen the unity between provinces.’

“Rather than divide, Albertans need to join Team Canada as a full partner,” said Barnes. “Alberta needs to send more Liberals to Ottawa. It would sure make Canadian politics take a quick 180-degree turn. Alberta would gain significantly more attention with a more diversified political landscape. It is time to send a different voice to Ottawa to strive to achieve the best for all Albertans while being a strong partner in Confederation,” said Barnes. “We need to send the message we are proud Canadians and want what is best for everyone.”

Barnes says that the possibility of new trade partners should be investigated while respecting the deals already in place and believes that it is ‘of the upmost importance’ to engage in finding new trade partners.

“I believe we are in a global financial crisis,” said Barnes. “Mark Carney has the experience necessary to bring Canada through this crisis, not only getting us through it but also bringing Canada to the top.”

Barnes also wishes to dedicate his campaign to his mother, Janice (Steen)Barnes, stating that for him, the Liberal Party stands for choice, equality, diversification and a strong desire to be a leader on the global stage in energy, innovation, culture and quality of life.

Barnes firmly emphasizes that it is ‘important’ for Alberta to change its approach in regard to Ottawa.

“The country has a great opportunity to better itself with better interprovincial trade policies, to better itself with new and diversified trading partners, and to better our place in the world as an energy superpower, a leader in technology,” said Barnes. “This is an opportunity to take a team player approach. Alberta is a key part of Canada and Alberta will benefit from a Mark Carney led Liberal government. I, Bentley Barnes can be Bow River’s direct line to the Prime Minister of Canada.”