The election of a Liberal minority federal government will likely pose a number of challenges and opportunities for Alberta, say area municipal leaders.
For his part, newly re-elected Conservative MP Earl Dreeshen says he plans to champion the province’s agriculture and petroleum industries when he returns to Parliament.
“I always worked hard for my constituents and I will continue to do that,” said Dreeshen, 66. “We’ve heard a lot during this campaign. When the House starts to sit again I’m going to work as hard as I can and try to hold this new government’s feet to the fire.
“Agriculture is my background. We need to educate the public about how important agriculture is to Canada."
He also plans to advocate for federal support for health care, education and seniors.
“There’s the work that needs to be done in health care,” he said. "I will use my experiences and I’m looking forward to heading back.”
Dreeshen took just over 80 per cent of the votes cast in the Oct. 21 election in the Red Deer-Mountain View constituency. It was Dreeshen’s second election as MP in the riding and his fourth election in the district.
The Red Deer-Mountain View constituency includes Olds, Sundre, Didsbury, Cremona, Innisfail, Penhold, Mountain View County and portions of Red Deer and Red Deer County.
Mountain View County reeve Bruce Beattie called on Dreeshen to work with all parties to promote and support the region.
“It’s disappointing that there is no representation from the new government in Alberta or Saskatchewan,” said Beattie. “I think we have to take a breath. Let’s remember that we have a democracy and let’s ask our politicians to recognize it and work together for the best of the country and find that common ground.
“Earl has the experience and a good knowledge of the federal system and I’m sure that he has connection with the people he works with in the federal Liberal side that he can work with.
“It takes a commitment from the politicians to recognize that they can and should work together. I don’t think we are as far apart as some people think.”
Beattie cited the example of area MLA Jason Nixon as an example of politicians working together.
“When he was in Opposition he worked very well with the NDP government, with Health Minister Sarah Hoffman. They had a very good working relationship,” he said.
Penhold mayor Mike Yargeau says he hopes MP Dreeshen will be able to work with other MPs to address concerns such as resource access.
“Obviously we are in some uncharted water with a Liberal minority where Alberta has all Conservative MPs, except one NDP MP,” said Yargeau. “I think it will be more important than ever for our MPs to be able to work together across party lines to help Canadian communities. I trust Earl can do that and I think he will be able to do that.
“Obviously resources access is a big issue in Alberta and in our area. And we need increased spending on the federal side for infrastructure to make the community grow.”
He said he hopes Prime Minister Trudeau keep his commitment to meet with other party leaders and "to make this minority Parliament work.”
Didsbury mayor Rhonda Hunter said she hopes the new government will consider Alberta’s interests.
“It (election result) certainly is not the outcome Alberta wanted,” said Hunter. “It will be important to watch close as to what the messages and promises from the minority Liberal government are, just as it will be important to watch the alliances that might form.
“I think it is much too soon to predict anything, although Trudeau just said today (Oct. 23) the pipeline is going to continue to go through.”
She called on the Opposition Conservatives to be a voice for the province.
“Alberta cannot continue to be accepted for less than what we mean to and have done for Canada,” she said. “I trust that the Andrew Scheer (Conservative) team will keep the minority Liberal government on notice, as they announced, and hold them to the commitments that they have made to us.
“Our economy has to be given the attention it deserves, and Albertans need to get back to work. We need to find a way to leverage the best outcomes we can.”
Innisfail mayor Jim Romane says he trusts that MP Dreeshen will be able to represent the region well at the federal level.
“I don’t know how we will keep the communications open with the feds but we will work hard with our MPs,” said Romane. “Earl has always been great for us and I have all the faith in the world in him. He’s always worked well with Innisfail.”
According to Elections Canada, 67,277 votes were cast in the Red Deer-Mountain View riding, representing 75.51 per cent of the 89,098 registered electors in the riding.
Dreeshen garnered 54,111 votes or 80.4 per cent of that total.
NDP candidate Logan Garbanewski garnered 4,836 votes or 7.2 per cent, Liberal candidate Gary Tremblay received 3,724 votes or 5.5 per cent, People’s Party candidate Paul Mitchell garnered 2,609 votes or 3.9 per cent, and Green Party candidate Conner Borle received 1,997 votes or 3.0 per cent.
Dreeshen received 74.3 per cent of the votes cast in the riding in 2015.
