MLA de Jonge meets with constituents
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chestermere-Strathmore MLA Chantelle de Jonge met with constituents at the Rocky’s Bakery in Strathmore, Jan. 26, to discuss talking points of concern for residents.
This meeting was one of several she and her team are hosting across the constituency in order to speak face to face about United Conservative Party goals, as well as to gather input from local residents.
“It was great … Rocky’s was completely packed, and I really appreciated the discussion and I am definitely looking forward to the next one that we have,” said de Jonge. “I just had another one in Langdon, (Feb. 2), that had a similar format and we will be hosting these throughout the coming weeks in various communities.”
Talking points during the meeting at Rocky’s included pensions, potential investment from the province in nuclear power, federal policing in Alberta, fluoride in water, housing deficits, and childcare subsidies, as well as de Jonge’s recent trip to Alaska, representing the province.
De Jonge described responses she heard from residents as being eager for a provincial government that “stands up for Albertans,” and advances interests in the province in an effective manner.
“Albertans want a government that is fighting for them and this is on many, many different areas, whether that is on pension benefits, whether that is on discussions with the federal government, on energy,” she said. “This is what Albertans need, and I think this is a government that is continuing to stand up for Albertans, and I think people are very happy to see that.”
Similar “coffee meet and greet” discussions with de Jonge will be hosted in Chestermere on Feb. 9, Lyalta on Feb. 16, and in Carseland on Feb. 23, each in two-hour blocks, beginning at 9 a.m. on the respective occasions.
Regarding her participation with the delegation to Alaska in January, de Jonge was one of Alberta’s delegates to the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, which is a nonpartisan public-private partnership, established in the 1990s to expand the regional interests of its member organizations.
De Jonge explained while in Alaska, Alberta’s delegation was able to showcase the province’s “impactful energy story,” spotlighting local energy solutions including hydrogen, and oil and gas.
“There is a memorandum of understanding between Alaska and Alberta,” she said. “We had set up an Alaska-Alberta bilateral council in the early 2000’s and then in 2022, previous Premier (Jason) Kenny signed an MoU with Alaska to strengthen the ties between our jurisdictions.”