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Share this Story : Lewis: If you think politics is a 'fun' job, try actually being in the ring Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Opinion Columnists Lewis: If you think politics is a 'fun' job, try actually being in the ring As a gay conservative, I experienced more stress and anxiety in one month than I ever did in my years as a police officer. Author of the article: Alex Lewis, Special to the Citizen Published Mar 18, 2025 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 4 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account.
Alex Lewis was the Nepean Progressive Conservative candidate in the recent Ontario election. Photo by Jean Levac / POSTMEDIA Article content I want to reflect on my experience running as a Progressive Conservative in Ottawa during the recent Ontario election. As a gay man, it goes without saying I’ve always received my fair share of criticism, confusion and downright vile hatred for being associated with the conservative movement.
But in this last election, it reached a whole new level. Relatives attacked me, calling me “uneducated,” “anti-woman” and “anti-science” publicly. Longtime friends of more than 20 years sent me messages calling me everything under the sun, telling me I should be ashamed of myself.
And from within my own community, I received messages from complete strangers telling me I should die a “painful death.” Perhaps the most comical, though, was when people told me I was “too sensitive” for politics. Well, maybe.
But maybe what Canadian politics needs is a little more sensitivity. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
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Activate your Online Access Now Article content What hurt the most, though, was the constant attack on my integrity. People — some whom I considered friends — fabricated lies and misinformation to score political points, not even having the fortitude to share their names publicly. They had complete disregard for the truth or the impact of their words.
The stress of being slandered and belittled was, frankly, overwhelming. In just one short month, I experienced more stress and anxiety than I ever did in my years as a police officer. And I can tell you this: If you think politics is a “fun” career, try actually being in the ring.
No wonder so many good people are hesitant to even consider it. Let me say this: I believe in being a part of the solution, not just standing on the outside throwing stones. You can criticize and demand change from afar, or you can get involved and push for that change from within.
Back in 2005, when future prime minister Stephen Harper stood on the steps of Parliament Hill vowing to define marriage as between a man and a woman, it was a dark time. Yet, despite the party’s leadership stance, 13 Conservatives voted in favour of same-sex marriage, and it passed. In 2013, the House of Commons passed a Transgender rights bill with 18 Tories voting in favour.
Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content In 2016, under Rona Ambrose’s leadership, a group of us within the federal Conservative Party successfully petitioned to remove that opposition from the party platform. Progress wasn’t handed to us; it was fought for.
I’ve always believed that true change happens when we sit at the table and make our voices heard. I spent 17 years sitting on the Ottawa Police GLBT liaison committee — not because I agreed with everything the police were doing or had done, but because I knew the only way to make positive inroads was by being there. I educate officers (every new recruit in this great province) about our community’s history, and for the last nine years, my friend Brian Mitchell and I have lectured at the Ontario Police College to help ensure that our shared history is not forgotten.
I’ve always believed that true change happens when we sit at the table and make our voices heard. I am an unapologetic conservative because I believe in the rule of law, personal responsibility and individual freedoms. I believe in upholding the law in a way that ensures everyone, regardless of background or identity, is treated equally.
I stand by the values of a fair, free and democratic society — values that let us speak our truth, no matter how unpopular it might be, and find solutions that work for everyone. I regard party politics as an all-you-can-eat buffet. When you go to a buffet, do you eat everything they have to offer? No.
Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content While many sit comfortably in armchairs looking for a reason to attack those who think differently, I want to say this: some of my closest political allies, and in some respects my mentors, have been people such as Yasir Naqvi, who disagree with me politically but still see me as a human. We can disagree on policy, but that doesn’t mean we should dehumanize each other.
While I was not successful in my bid for office, maybe those of you who have so many opinions about how things need to change and how “the Conservatives are big, bad and scary, ruining everything” should think about stepping up to the plate yourselves. I was ready to give up a pension and higher earnings to make a real, measurable impact in this world. I’m not looking for praise; I’m trying to adequately express the importance of this to me and the sacrifices I am willing to make to see it through.
It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines; it’s another thing entirely to get in the ring. I ran because I believed in a better future. I ran because I genuinely believed I could Protect Ontario.
And no matter the outcome, I will always fight for that future. The question is: How will you? Alex Lewis, a municipal police officer, was the Progressive Conservative candidate in Nepean in the 2025 Ontario election. Recommended from Editorial Ontario Election 2025: Liberal Tyler Watt takes Nepean Four Ottawa ridings with no former MPP seeking re-election Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : Lewis: If you think politics is a 'fun' job, try actually being in the ring Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
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