Alberta Premier Alison Redford’s decision to leave him off cabinet has left local MLA Luke Ouellette questioning his future in government.
Ouellette, who was first elected as the MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake in 2001, said he will be sitting down with the local constituency board for a discussion following Redford’s Oct. 12 announcement, but explained he has made no decisions yet.
“I’ve got lots of thinking to do and I’ll be doing some of that with my executive on the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake board of directors,” he said shortly after Redford’s first cabinet was introduced. “Maybe I’ve been there long enough and it’s time to move on.”
Ouellette, who supported Doug Horner during the Alberta PC leadership race, had served on cabinet since 2004 when he was appointed as Minister of Restructuring and Government Efficiency. In 2006 he switched portfolios, becoming the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. Following his 2008 re-election Ouellette was once again named to cabinet, this time as Minister of Transportation. Lac La Biche-St. Paul MLA Ray Danyluk was named as the Minister of Infrastructure at the same time.
One of 12 ministers sent packing by Redford, Ouellette admitted he was discouraged by the news but would continue to work hard for his constituents, the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta, and Redford and her cabinet.
“I guess it’s always disappointing if you’re not chosen to be at the table, but I’ve got to tell you I think we live in the best darn province in the whole wide world,” an upbeat Ouellette said. “I think the people have chosen a good premier and I think she’s going to need the support of all of us.”
Ouellette said his support of Horner as well as geography may have played a role in his ousting.
“I think she had some real tough decisions to make as far as geography,” he said of Redford’s decision. “People always wondered why there was a minister in Red Deer plus one right beside it. So maybe she wanted to spread it out a little more. I shouldn’t second guess what made her make those decisions.”
Danyluk, who also supported Horner during the leadership race, was named as Ouellette’s replacement as Minister of Transportation.
Ouellette said he will now have more time to concentrate on his riding when the fall session at the legislature begins on Oct. 24, and not on running ministries out of Edmonton.
“I’ve always said I want to be the one bringing their (constituents) voices to Edmonton and I still plan on doing that.”
