Tara native and retired Colonel seeks Conservative nomination

Retired Canadian Armed Forces Colonel, Alex Ruff, has thrown his hat into the ring for the nomination of Member of Parliament (MP) of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound for the Federal Conservative party.

Ruff officially made his announcement on Sunday, January 20th, in his hometown of Tara, ON where almost 100 people came out in support and to hear what he had to say about his decision to run.

“I’ve spent m whole adult life in service to the Country and have always been proud to represent my hometown area,” said Ruff, a 44-year-old retired Colonel from The Royal Canadian Regiment. “I would not be where I am today without the early guidance from my teachers, coaches, the community and my family.”

Ruff, having grown up on a farm just outside Tara, is no stranger to the unique issues facing a rural riding.  He attended Chesley District High School (CDHS) and spent his summers arming and lifeguarding at the Tara Pool.

“I’ve had multiple postings right across Canada and have seen the diversity and challenges that face all Canadians.”  Despite a military career that has taken him around the world, Ruff, he maintained his deep connection to the local community through his involvement with the Tara Legion and local community events.  He has been a frequent speaker in local schools and represented the Armed Forces at various local Remembrance Day events.

Colonel Alex Ruff (R) joined MPP Bill Walker, MP Larry Miller and Legion Veterans at the Chesley Remembrance                                                        Day Ceremony at the high school (Saugeen Times 2015)

On making his decision to retire from the military and run for political office, Ruff says that “This is an opportunity for me to continue to serve and give back to my community for all the support they’ve provided to me throughout my military career. I learned the fundamental of leadership, problem solving, the value of community and ethics on these local farms and on the track and courts of CDHS.

Ruff graduated from Royal Military College in 1997 with an Honours Bachelor of Space Science degree and went on to command troops s an infantry officer in The Royal Canadian Regiment.  He had six operational deployments, including two in Bosnia, two in Afghanistan and most recently in Iraq.  His 2007 combat deployment to Afghanistan earned him the ‘Meritorious Service Cross’ for “… outstanding leadership in defeating a determined enemy”, presented by Canada’s Governor General.  He recently returned home from a posting in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was a key leader in the International efforts to defeat ISIS terrorists in the region.

“I’d be honoured to continue my deep commitment to service as the next MP in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound where I can pt my youth, experience and passion to work to ensure that the constituents of this incredible riding are being represented and their voices are being heard,” concluded Ruff.