By Mark Squib
Branden O’Brien, 30, has announced his intention to seek the Conservative nomination in the district of Avalon.
O’Brien was born and raised in the Goulds, and now resides in Paradise. A graduate of St. Kevin’s High School, O’Brien went on to pursue a career in the marine sector, earning a Nautical Science diploma from the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. In 2023, he achieved his Master Mariner’s designation, and in 2024, captained his first vessel. O’Brien is currently completing a Master of Maritime Management at the Marine Institute while also teaching at the Offshore Safety and Survival Centre in Foxtrap.
“I was very fortunate in my career and very fortunate with my upbringing, but I found that it’s getting harder and harder to get by,” said O’Brien. “And I thought that it doesn’t need to be this way. And hearing so many people complain about the way things are going, I’ve always been someone to think, ‘If there’s something to do to improve it, why aren’t we improving it?’ I saw the issues we were having, and I didn’t agree with the course we were on, and I had this ‘Eureka’ moment and thought, ‘If I’m not willing to throw my hat into the ring and try and do something to change things and try and help us out, why should I expect anyone else to do it?”
He believes that his nautical experience would benefit him in Ottawa.
“You take all this counsel into consideration, but at the end of the day, the captain is the one who has to make the final call,” said O’Brien. “Indecision, or flip-flopping on an issue is one of the worst things you can do for the crew, or, in this case, a riding or a constituency… I’ve had a lot of experience with oil and gas, search and rescue, science exploration. I’ve spent the last eight summers in the Arctic… I think we can use some of that experience to help solve some of the issues we’re facing as a country.”
O’Brien allowed it’s a gamble to seek the nomination, but said he has always had both a desire to help others and an interest in public policy.
“I said to myself, if I don’t do this now, will I ever do it, and will I have that regret that I could have done something differently?” said O’Brien. “If in four years time things haven’t changed, and I didn’t step up to try and change things, I would be almost resentful of myself for not putting my name forward. At least now, if I go for it, I know I’m going to give it my best effort and do everything in my power to make the riding, the province, and the country better. It sounds a little idealist, I suppose, but truly, that’s what I think.”
Should he be elected, O’Brien said he would champion the province’s natural resources sector.
“I’ve had lots of friends that have had to move away to find work opportunities, and I don’t think there’s any need for that,” said O’Brien. “We’re natural resource rich. There should be lots of opportunities here for high paying jobs. There should be lots of opportunities for industry. And over the last little while seeing how almost apathetic and indifferent the federal government has been to Newfoundland and Labrador’s resources, I think that’s a huge, huge mistake, and a detriment to the people of the riding. The Conservative Party is committed to sustainable, natural resource development and that’s who I align most with.”
O’Brien said when it comes to the country’s leadership, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre is the man for the job.
“I think Poilievre is consistent,” said O’Brien. “From day one, he’s been a champion for Newfoundland and Labrador’s natural resources. He’s a big believer in developing industry, in developing manufacturing, in getting Canada back to where Canada should be.”
An advocate for community involvement, O’Brien has volunteered with the Heart and Stroke foundation since he was 12 and is a member of the Goulds chapter of the Knights of Columbus.
He also volunteered with the St. Kevin’s Parish 2017 Chase the Ace fundraiser, which drew massive crowds to the Goulds each week in search of the elusive Ace. His mother Carol was the announcer.
As of print deadline, the Conservatives had not set a date for the nomination vote.
