Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs Explains Absence from Budget Vote That Passed by Just Two Votes
Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs has released a statement explaining her absence from last week’s federal budget vote, which passed by a razor-thin margin of two votes. Stubbs confirmed she has been on approved medical leave and is in the early stages of recovery from major jaw and chin surgery performed at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton.
Long-standing Medical Condition Addressed
Stubbs says the surgery corrected a significant condition tied to complications from birth. Born severely premature at 6½ months and weighing only two pounds, she required immediate heart surgery as an infant. Her heart, lungs and jaw were all underdeveloped.
Although doctors identified her jaw issue early in life, it was never surgically corrected. Over the years, specialists warned that the condition was placing increasing strain on her heart and breathing.
The recent procedure followed years of assessments, medical planning and multiple delays outside her control. Her surgeons have now ordered several weeks of strict bed rest, no speaking, and limited movement to protect her recovery.
Surgery Delayed by 2025 Election
The surgery had originally been scheduled for last spring, but those plans were put on hold when the Liberals called an election. When specialists rescheduled the procedure, only two surgery dates were available over a nine-month period, and medical teams warned that postponing again could cause permanent harm.
Stubbs says all medical approvals were in place long before the federal budget date was known. The government later shifted the budget schedule multiple times, leaving her unable to adjust the surgery timeline.
Pre-Recorded Videos and Opposition to the Budget
Any videos posted to her social media during her recovery, she notes, were recorded before she left for surgery. Stubbs also emphasized that, like all Conservative MPs, she strongly opposes what she calls Carney’s credit card budget.
Constituency Office Remains Open
While she continues to recover, Stubbs says her constituency office in Two Hills remains fully open and ready to assist residents across Lakeland.
Stubbs expressed deep gratitude to the medical staff who performed her surgery, adding that their care and professionalism have been instrumental in her recovery.
