As the late spring sunshine streamed through the windows of Guelph’s 10C Shared Space, Dominique O’Rourke leaned forward in her chair, hands animated, eyes focused. “Politics shouldn’t be separate from community,” she told the gathered crowd of about 40 constituents last week. “I’ve spent 25 years watching decisions made in Ottawa ripple through our neighborhoods. Now I want to reverse that flow.”
O’Rourke’s journey from House of Commons page to newly-elected Member of Parliament for Guelph represents one of the more distinctive paths to federal politics in recent Canadian history. After defeating three-term Liberal incumbent Lloyd Longfield in the March federal election, the former communications consultant and community organizer is settling into her role as part of the Progressive Conservative government’s backbench.
“What struck me about Dominique during the campaign was her ability to translate complex policy into kitchen table issues,” says Dr. Tamara Small, political science professor at the University of Guelph. “She’s not performing politics – she actually understands how governance affects daily life.”
O’Rourke’s political awakening came early. At 16, she served as a page in the House of Commons, witnessing firsthand the final years of Brian Mulroney’s government. “Standing in those chambers, I felt both the weight of our democratic institutions and their disconnection from ordinary Canadians,” O’Rourke recalled during our interview at her newly-established constituency office on Wyndham Street.
That experience sparked a career that deliberately straddled public and private sectors. After completing her Master’s in Communications at Carleton University, O’Rourke built a consulting practice that specialized in helping organizations navigate government relations. Meanwhile, she remained deeply embedded in Guelph’s civic life, serving on the city’s planning committee and co-founding the Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation.
“I’ve watched Dominique evolve from concerned citizen to effective advocate,” says Marty Williams, executive director of the Downtown Guelph Business Association. “She understands how to build consensus without abandoning principles – a rare quality these days.”
During her campaign, O’Rourke focused on three issues that resonated particularly with Guelph voters: housing affordability, environmental sustainability, and healthcare improvement. According to polling by Mainstreet Research, her approach to housing – emphasizing both supply-side solutions and rent stabilization – helped her capture younger voters who traditionally leaned Liberal in this university town.
Recent Statistics Canada data shows Guelph’s rental costs have increased 32% since 2019, while the vacancy rate sits at just 1.2% – significantly below the 3% threshold considered healthy. “When I knocked on doors, housing wasn’t just another issue – it was the issue,” O’Rourke explains. “Students, seniors, young families – they’re all feeling squeezed out of their own community.”
O’Rourke’s environmental credentials also proved crucial in a riding where Green Party candidate Mike Schreiner had previously made significant inroads. Her background implementing Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative and advocacy for the city’s circular economy strategy gave her credibility on sustainability issues that many Conservative candidates struggle to establish.
“What makes O’Rourke interesting is that she embodies a more progressive strain of conservatism that we’re seeing emerge in urban ridings,” notes Éric Grenier, publisher of TheWrit.ca. “She’s fiscally disciplined but embraces climate action and social inclusion – positions that helped her flip a riding that had been reliably Liberal.”
The first-time MP now faces the challenge of delivering on campaign promises while navigating the constraints of party discipline. During last week’s town hall, several attendees pressed O’Rourke on how she would represent local interests when they might conflict with Conservative Party positions.
“I didn’t come to Ottawa to be a rubber stamp,” she responded, drawing applause. “The Prime Minister knows I’ll be a constructive voice within caucus, but my first commitment is to Guelph.”
That independent streak has already become evident. Last month, O’Rourke broke slightly with her party’s messaging on environmental policy, publicly advocating for stronger emissions targets during a committee hearing on the Clean Air Act amendments. The moment earned her a profile in The Hill Times as a “backbencher to watch.”
O’Rourke’s committee assignments reflect her expertise and interests. She serves on both the Environment and Housing committees, positioning her at the intersection of two critical issues facing many Canadian communities.
“The perspective I bring is one of practical implementation,” O’Rourke explains. “I’ve seen well-intentioned federal programs fall apart at the local level because nobody thought through how they’d actually work on the ground.”
This pragmatic approach was evident during her first private member’s bill introduction last month. The proposed Community Housing Partnerships Act would create a framework for municipalities to access federal funding with fewer administrative barriers. The legislation has garnered support from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which cited it as a model for “intergovernmental cooperation that respects local decision-making.”
Back in Guelph, reactions to their new representative remain largely positive, though politically divided. A recent community survey by the Guelph Mercury Tribune found 58% of respondents were optimistic about O’Rourke’s ability to represent the city’s interests, while 29% expressed concerns about her Conservative Party affiliation.
“I didn’t vote for her,” admits Jeanette McIntyre, a retired teacher I met outside O’Rourke’s constituency office. “But I appreciate that she’s accessible. My email about pharmacy shortages got a personal response within two days. That matters.”
As Parliament approaches its summer recess, O’Rourke is preparing for an intensive constituency period. She’s scheduled 14 community meetings across the riding and plans to launch a youth advisory council to engage students from the University of Guelph and local high schools.
“Ottawa can feel like an echo chamber sometimes,” O’Rourke tells me as we conclude our interview. “I need regular infusions of real conversation with the people I represent.”
Whether O’Rourke can maintain her community connections while navigating the demands of federal politics remains to be seen. But in a political landscape often criticized for its disconnect from everyday reality, her grassroots approach offers a refreshing counterpoint.
“Dominique brings something we desperately need more of,” reflects Dr. Small. “She understands politics not as a career, but as the practical work of solving shared problems together.”
