The federal Conservative Party have put their hopes of winning back the riding of Orléans in the hands of Orléans East-Cumberland city councillor Matt Luloff.

Although no one knows when the next election will be held, the Conservative Party of Canada was eager to get the former Afghanistan War vet on their side in the hope of winning back the seat that was last held by the Tories in 2015.

Royal Galipeau made history in 2006 by becoming only the third Conservative to represent Orléans in over 100 years. The others were Barry Turner from 1984-1988 and Jean Pigott from 1976-1979. He was re-elected to the House of Commons in 2008 and 2011 before he was finally defeated by Liberal Andrew Leslie.

After Leslie retired from politics prior to the 2019 federal election, the seat was retained by Marie-France Lalonde who has held it ever since.

Luloff was first elected to Ottawa city council in 2018 when he beat out 16 other candidates for the seat left vacant by the retirement of Bob Monette. He was re-elected in 2018, capturing 74 per cent of the vote.

Lalonde was re-elected in 2021 with 52 per cent of the vote compared to 29 per cent garnered by then Conservative candidate Mary-Elsie Wolfe.

Luloff will be hoping to end the Conserv-ative losing streak in Orléans whenever the next election is held. The Liberal minority goverment could be brought down anytime by a motion of non-confidence brought forward by the NDP, who form the Official Opposition. It’s also possible for the Liberal government to dissolve Parliament and call an election themselves.

Either way, the earliest date for a possible federal election would likely be this spring. If not then than next fall.

Luloff says the Conservatives are ready to fight an election anytime. But until an election is called he intends to stick to his duties as a local city councillor, starting with the current budget process.

By provincial statute, city councillors do not have to resign their positions unless they are elected to a higher office either provincially or federally. Which means if Luloff were to lose in the federal election he would simply resume his duties as city councillor.

Luloff, 39, was born and raised in Orléans and is a graduate of St. Matthew High School.

After graduating from high school in 2002, Luloff joined the Governor-General’s Foot Guards and took part in ceremonial events at the Governor-General’s residence and on Parliament Hill.

In 2005, he enlisted in the Canadian Army and became a member of the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry. He served in Afghanistan for a six month tour from February to September 2008.

In 2009, Luloff was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and given his medical release.

After leaving the army, he completed a degree in public affairs at Carleton Univer-sity. He also started a podcast in support of other veterans who suffer from PTSD.

In 2015, Luloff began working as an issues manager for Liberal Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan.

Since first getting elected to Ottawa city council in 2018, Luloff has served in a number of roles including chair of the Ottawa Public Library Board and Council Liaison for Veteran and Military Issues.

Away from politics, Luloff is the lead guitarist and frontman for the band, Hearts and Mines. He is fluently bilingual and he and his wife Laura have two young daughters.