About Me.
I have been an active member of the Conservative Party since the mid-1970s, dedicating decades of service to my local riding and our broader movement. Over the years, I’ve proudly served as riding director, president, campaign manager, official agent, sign chair, fundraising chair, canvasser, and nomination committee chair, roles that have given me a deep understanding of how to engage members, mobilize volunteers, and connect our party to its grassroots foundation.
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My experience in politics spans all levels of government. I represented the riding of Ontario as a Member of Parliament from 1988 to 1993, serving on the Finance and Energy Committees and chairing the Ontario Caucus of MPs. I’ve remained actively involved since, working to strengthen our party and support candidates across Durham Region and Ontario.
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Beyond politics, I bring over four decades of business and leadership experience as president of Con-Test, a national environmental testing company that grew from a small local operation into a respected industry leader across Canada and abroad. I also continue to contribute to the community through roles as a Director and President of the Rotary Club of Ajax, The Ajax Municipal Housing Corp., The Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation, and The Controlled Environmental Testing Organization (CETA International).
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Originally from the Netherlands, I immigrated to Canada, and have lived in Ajax for most of my life. This is where my wife June and I raised our family, where we continue to call home, and where I’ve invested much of my time and energy in helping our town and region thrive.
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I’m running for National Council because I believe in empowering local riding associations, strengthening communication between members and leadership, and ensuring our grassroots voices drive the direction of our party. Drawing on my experience as a former Member of Parliament, and my lifelong work in business, governance, and community service, I’m ready to offer thoughtful, steady leadership that reflects the values of our members and communities.
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-Rene Soetens.
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Former Member of Parliament.
Pat Perkins
Former M.P for Whitby-Oshawa
Former Mayor for Whitby
"Rene Continues to be a steadfast supporter of the Conservative Party and candidates in Durham Region. Rene would be a valued & resourceful member of the National Council and I am pleased to support his candidacy"
Janet Ecker
Former Ontario Finance Minister
Former M.P.P for Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge
"Riding organization is key to our future success. We need a national council who knows what needs to be done. Rene Soetens has the breadth of skills. Elected M.P, fundraiser, organizer and long-time supporter and volunteer — to do the job for our grass root."
Todd Mcarthy
M.P.P for Durham
Ontario Minister of Environmental Conservation and Parks
"Rene Soetens is an elder state'sman of our Conservative Party having served as a Member Parliament from 1988 to 1993 during the transformational term of the Free Trade Agreement. We are fortunate that he is offering his wisdom, talent and experience as a candidate for National Council."
Dr. Colin Carrie
Former M.P for Oshawa
"Dear National Council Experience. Experience in politics can make the difference between rookie mistakes and a successful win. Rene Soetens is a man with the life experience, business experience and political experience to help guide our Conservative Team to victory when Canada needs it the most. Our country has never been in such a sorry state. Ten Years of woke, reckless and outright foolish Liberal policies have taken Canada, once the envy of the world, to a Country lost in the wilderness; no identity, the first post national state. Rene believes in Canada. He believes our best days are ahead of us. He knows that the successful country we are capable of becoming (once again) is only around the corner; as long as Conservatives run a principled, disciplined campaign in the next election. I fully endorse Rene as our representative on National Council. He is the Candidate to help us return a stable, principled Conservative Government to Canadians.."
Empowering Our Local Riding Associations: A Campaign for Fairness and Transparency.
Empowering Our Local Riding Associations: A Campaign for Fairness and Transparency
As someone who believes deeply in grassroots democracy, I’ve spent time reviewing the current rules and procedures for candidate nominations within our party. There’s no question that the rules are clear, candidates know exactly what they must do to run. But what’s missing is clarity on what they can expect in return from the party, especially at the local level.
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Our local Electoral District Associations (EDAs) are the backbone of our party. They organize volunteers, connect with constituents, and keep the party rooted in the community. Yet, under the current system, EDAs are often kept in the dark. Nomination committees are essentially rubber stamps for decisions made elsewhere, and donations raised through the party’s national channels never make it back to the riding where they were collected.
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Candidates themselves face restrictive rules: election rebates must be returned to the Conservative Fund, and only literature authorized by the national party can be used. While national oversight is important, this approach can make candidates and local associations feel disempowered, rather than supported in their work to connect with voters.
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There are many effective committees within the Conservative Party of Canada, but none are specifically tasked with supporting local EDAs. This is a gap we must fill. Local riding associations deserve resources, guidance, and recognition for the essential work they do. By empowering EDAs, we strengthen our party from the ground up, ensuring it remains connected to the communities it serves.
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My campaign is committed to restoring transparency, fairness, and real support for local associations. Candidates should know what they can expect from the party, EDAs should have a voice in the process, and local volunteers should feel valued, not sidelined. Together, we can make our party stronger, more democratic, and truly rooted in the grassroots.
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-Rene Soetens.
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Former Member of Parliament.
Contact Me
Thank you for reaching out. I’m always eager to connect with delegates, party members, and fellow conservatives who share a commitment to moving our movement forward. Your thoughts and questions are appreciated, and I truly value the time you take to get in touch. Please note that responses may take a few days, but every message is read and considered carefully. If you prefer, you’re welcome to email me directly outside the website — I look forward to continuing the conversation.
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Email: Rene4NatCouncil@outlook.com
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-Rene Soetens