Conservatives Announce New Advocate for Great Lakes Region

Poilievre names Essex MP Chris Lewis as Special Advisor

Ottawa, ON – Today, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre appointed Chris Lewis, Conservative Member of Parliament for Essex, as Special Advisor for the Great Lakes. 

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Chris for nearly seven years,” Poilievre said. “I know that he will fight tirelessly for the workers and families of this region.”

Building on his previous experience as an MP and Conservative Shadow Minister, Mr. Lewis’ new role will see him advocate for communities that are of huge importance to the Canadian economy, and especially for the manufacturing sector.

Together with the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes region account for roughly half of Canada’s cross-border trade with the United States, with nearly $34 billion in cargo shipped along those waterways in 2022 alone.

“For centuries, the Great Lakes have been at the heart of North American commerce,” Lewis said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance policies that will save money and bring good-paying jobs for the people of this region.”

In recent days, Conservatives have highlighted the problems facing Southern Ontario in the wake of a sluggish economy and trade threats from Washington. 

In Burlington last Friday, Poilievre presented the Conservative plan for Canada’s steel sector following layoffs at Stelco’s iconic Hamilton plant. Earlier this week, he joined Mr. Lewis and other MPs in Windsor to stand up for Canadian manufacturers and promote his plan for a Tariff-Free Auto Pact with the US.

“Conservatives will fight for Ontario businesses, and for hard-working Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” Lewis concluded. “We want to overcome bad Liberal policies and unjustified American threats to build a strong industrial base that is the envy of the world.”

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The following is a transcript of the Hon. Pierre Poilievre’s remarks from October 16, 2026. These remarks have been edited for clarity. Check against delivery.

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Les conservateurs annoncent la nomination d’un nouveau conseiller pour la région des Grands Lacs

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Pierre Poilievre nomme Chris Lewis, député d’Essex, au poste de conseiller spécial

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