Year end with Nathan Cooper
By Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean Times Contributor
Cooper said his additional position as Speaker of the House in the Alberta Legislature doesn’t give him an opportunity to speak on behalf of his constituents during Question Period, but it does afford him the advantage of building strong relationships with MLAs on both sides of the aisle and advocate for the needs of the constituents.
“I live in rural Alberta and I’m pleased to be able to be part of that voice in Edmonton. It’s important. I look at all of Alberta a bit like a family at the table,” Cooper said.
“While not everyone at the table will always see eye-to-eye, all of our voices are important to making our family, or in this case, the province, work. Having a strong rural voice to advocate for the unique needs of rural Alberta is important.”
In terms of accomplishments for 2019, Cooper says he feels the government presented a platform that residents of the riding overwhelmingly endorsed. The United Conservative Party ran on a platform to return Alberta’s budget to balance and focus on restoring investor confidence and a return of job opportunities.
“Whether it was repealing the carbon tax, repealing and replacing Bill 6, these were things that were important to the people,” he said.
Being part of the government caucus affords Cooper the added benefit of being able to take part in the credit for policies the government implements, and he believes the government has delivered on what they campaigned on so far.
Because he doesn’t get to advocate on behalf of the constituents publicly in the legislature, Cooper said it’s important to him to be present in the communities he represents. He was scheduled to be in Strathmore on Wednesday to discuss seniors’ housing in the area and he was also meeting with the Western Irrigation District later that day.
He is looking to find ways in which he can work with communities to ensure they have local, appropriate levels of care within the community.
“I hope to be able to continue to work closely with municipalities to meet the needs of constituents,” he said.
Local seniors’ housing has been an issue in the area, but strides have been made with options through Wheatland Housing and the addition of Sagewood Care Centre. Greater access to in-home care in the county has also provided more options for residents.
Cooper’s constituency team will also be growing somewhat as he and his counterpart from Drumheller-Stettler, Nate Horner, open a joint constituency office in Drumheller on Jan. 29. There will be an open house from 2-4 p.m. with remarks at 3 p.m. The office will afford better access for those residents of Wheatland County who are in Cooper’s constituency.