Local events throughout 2013 have been a highlight for St. Albert MLA Stephen Khan.
“I think one of the most personally gratifying events that I was able to attend was a welcome ceremony for new Canadians at Elmer S. Gish school, which was a small function but perhaps one of the most heartfelt and impactful functions I had the honour of attending. It’s not always the big galas, although those are wonderful, sometimes it’s the smaller events or more local community events that have the most personal impact,” Khan said.
News for the area in 2013 like the opening of Ray Gibbon Drive and the planned expansions at the Villeneuve Airport are exciting for the area.
“I think it’s going to have tremendous impact to the local St. Albert economy,” Khan said of the airport’s runway expansion.
Other new initiatives and announcements for St. Albert have been highlights for Khan as well, who singled out the announcement that a new elementary school for St. Albert Public Schools and a new high school for francophone students.
“In terms of highlights for our work in St. Albert, the announcement of two new schools is certainly right up there,” Khan said.
It’s “marvelous” to have secured a site for the francophone high school, which currently runs in the basement of Youville Home, and “amazing news” about the elementary school when there hasn’t been a new one for that district since the early 1990s, Khan said.
In addition to working in the community, Khan said his work with the Progressive Conservative caucus is another highlight of the year.
“Being part of a team that’s committed to building the province, with a real strategic approach and an eye for building the province, has been very gratifying,” he said.
As 2014 approaches, he’s also looking forward to working with local elected officials in the coming year.
“We’ve got a great team at the municipal level and I look forward again to working with Mayor (Nolan) Crouse and a strong team of councillors to see what we can do to help keep St. Albert the best city in Alberta,” Khan said.
While two new schools being announced in 2013 was a highlight for Khan, he’s hoping to help out the Catholic school district in 2014.
“St. Albert’s not getting any smaller … I’m certainly hoping to push and see what we can do to help out our partners at Greater St. Albert Catholic,” Khan said.
Health care’s also on his mind as he hopes to look to strengthen the local primary care network (PCN) and see if there’s a spot for a family care clinic in St. Albert.
“We’ve got a remarkable PCN here in St. Albert and I’m looking forward to some conversations with that team,” Khan said.
One trend Khan said he and others are watching for 2014 is this region’s rapid growth pace.
“We see that trend continuing. So as exciting as that is, that presents some challenges that we have to be strategic about as well,” Khan said.
