St. Albert-Sturgeon River MP Michael Cooper is running for re-election, seeking a win in 2025, which would send him to Ottawa for his fourth consecutive term.
Cooper was first elected in 2015, when the riding was still St. Albert-Edmonton. He's served on various committees — including the Ethics Committee and as vice chair of the House Affairs Committee — and as Shadow Minister for Democratic Reform. He said he's worked hard both in Ottawa and to serve local constituents.
He's also sponsored various private member's bills, including a bill to strengthen relations between Canada and Taiwan, a bill to limit parole hearings for murder convicts, and a bill to allow jury members to disclose information to when accessing mental health supports.
"I've been an advocate for the St. Albert community taking local issues to Ottawa that are of concern," Cooper said in an interview. He said he's stood up for Alberta's energy sector, and had tabled a petition in the House of Commons regarding the capital gains tax hike that was initiated by the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce.
With the 2025 election being the first under the new electoral district of St. Albert-Sturgeon River, Cooper said that it hasn't changed much of his approach to campaigning.
"I have been working hard to introduce myself to voters in those parts of the riding that I have not had the privilege of representing," he said.
Cooper said that the issues he's hearing from potential new voters in communities outside of St. Albert are similar tp those from constituents in the municipality.
"By and large, voters in this riding are tired of the Liberals. They would like to see a change in Government," he said, adding that he's hearing about cost of living pressures and life for many becoming unaffordable.
He said that a Conservative Government, if elected, would cut the lowest personal income tax rate by 15 per cent and "introduce legislation to repeal the carbon tax."
He's also said that in the face of the uncertain tariff situation from the United States, the Conservatives would also move as quickly as possible to remove interprovincial trade barriers.
Cooper said it has been an "incredible privilege" to serve as MP for St. Albert, a community where he has lived his entire life.
"I have worked hard to be accessible, to be present in the community, and take the feedback that I receive to Ottawa," he said. "It is that approach that I would take in representing the new riding of St. Albert-Sturgeon River."
