Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen has thrown in his name to run in the upcoming 2015 federal election when his longstanding riding will be split in two.
Dreeshen, who has been the Red Deer riding's member of Parliament since 2008, will run in the southern half of the old riding, which will be called Red Deer ñ Mountain View. The northern half of his old riding will be called Red Deer -- Wolf Creek.
ìI have had a lot of experience and there is still a lot of things I feel that need to be done. We have put the country back on an even economic keel,î said Dreeshen. ìI just want to use my experience to continue to serve the people of Central Alberta.î
The Red Deer riding was altered following the establishment and study of the 2012 Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Alberta. Its mandate was to reconfigure the boundaries of Alberta's federal electoral districts. In the expected 2015 federal election the total number of ridings across Canada will increase from 308 to 338. In Alberta, there will be an increase from 28 seats to 34.
With the new riding, which includes the southern half of the City of Red Deer, Dreeshen will still represent citizens in Innisfail, Penhold, Bowden, Spruce View, Markerville, Dickson, Delburne, Elnora, Lousana, Pine Lake, Sylvan Lake, Benalto and Red Deer County. It also includes Mountain View County, and the municipalities of Olds, Didsbury, Carstairs, Sundre, and Cremona.
ìCentral Alberta is my home, and I will continue to serve my community with pride and dedication,î said Dreeshen, who spent much of his adult life in Central Alberta as an educator, farmer, and community volunteer.
Last week was also an opportunity for Dreeshen to sing the praises of his Conservative government's new budget. He said Canadians, including central Albertans and Innisfailians, will benefit from the job opportunities the budget will promote and stimulate.
ìWe have created the Canada Apprenticeship Loan, and there is support for entrepreneurs to help them grow, start up and commercialize ideas and create more jobs,î said Dreeshen, adding that farmers and cattlemen in the Innisfail area will also get help through the budget's Economic Action Plan (EAP) 2014.
ìOne of the key issues that is taking place right now is with livestock. We've started an agreement with western provinces for insurance programs to help smooth out some of the issues that ultimately occur in the livestock industry,î he said of the new Livestock Price Insurance Program that is designed to give cattle and hog producers in Western Canada insurance against unanticipated price declines within a production cycle. He added an additional agricultural benefit from EAP 2014 is a commitment to implement a strong plant breeder's rights regime.
ìIt will create a positive investment climate to develop new seed varieties in Canada, while ensuring a farmer's privilege to save seed,î said Dreeshen.
Meanwhile, Dreeshen said he is especially proud that Bill C-444, his private member's legislation to amend the Criminal Code on impersonating a police officer and peace officer, has received unanimous support in the House of Commons and has passed second reading in the Senate.
ìIt is something I am extremely proud of and so happy it has been able to make it this far because it isn't normal that a private member's bill will have a chance to change the Criminal Code of Canada,î said Dreeshen.
