Three St. Albert-area mayors were optimistic about the re-election of local incumbent MLAs, saying continuity is likely good news for the region.
While the last week's provincial election resulted in both major and minor changes for Alberta, the mayors say they'll look to build on their pre-existing connections with local MLAs Dale Nally and Marie Renaud, both of whom are returning for another term.
Nally, elected for a second-consecutive term representing Morinville-St. Albert, will head back to the provincial legislature later this month as part of Premier Danielle Smith's governing UCP. Meanwhile, Renaud, who was elected for a third consecutive term for the St. Albert constituency, will go back to the legislature as part of the largest official Opposition in Alberta's history after the NDP secured 38 seats.
St. Albert's Mayor Cathy Heron said the lack of turnover for St. Albert's representatives may turn out to be a good thing, as the municipal council already has established relationships with both Nally and Renaud.
“I would say that the fact that nothing changed is probably a good thing in the fact that we've already got very good and established relationships with both (Renaud) and (Nally)," said Heron. "So, that makes me happy, honestly.”
“They're well-versed in what St. Albert needs, so that's a good thing, and we'll keep pushing on that, but it's easier when you don't have to start from scratch and start that new relationship.”
Likewise, Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw said, with Nally staying on and UCP incumbent Shane Getson winning a second term for Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland, dealing with experienced provincial representatives will hopefully maintain the county's momentum.
“There's a tremendous amount of activity and diversity taking place in Sturgeon County, whether it's on the agriculture front or on the evolution of energy around hydrogen, economic reconciliation with Indigenous neighbours, rural health, rural crime, and even the protection of [agriculture] land, but also weighing that with diversifying our economy by being able to get investment and approved growth plans ... we really have a vast array of files that we work on,” Hnatiw said.
“To have to bring somebody up to speed, to brief them on what's happening here (at) the same time as them getting briefed on whatever their new job is would've definitely, I think, created some lag here, but I'm pleased that we can continue just to roll.”
Morinville Mayor Simon Boersma said he was glad to see the continuity in local representation; however, he was also pleased Albertans will have substantial opposition party representation going into the next legislative term.
“I think it's great when we ensure that there is great opposition so that we as a people actually get heard," he said. "I think that's a very important part, but continuity is also very important.”
“I think it's very important that we have cultivated a relationship with our MLAs, and that doesn't just include (Nally), it also includes other ministers that we have discussed items with.”
Cabinet vacancies
A major change for Alberta's government following the election is a significant number of vacancies in the premier's cabinet, including the ministries of health, finance, mental health and addictions, seniors and community and social services, and more as a result of incumbents not winning re-election, or deciding not to run again.
Boersma, Heron, and Hnatiw said they hoped Premier Smith will turn to some of the more experienced UCP MLAs to take over key ministries, including Nally, who previously served as Service Alberta and red tape reduction minister, and as natural gas and electricity associate minister.
“I highly suspect, and I don't want to jinx it, but (Nally) will get a ministry and probably something different from Service Alberta,” Heron said.
“I've always been impressed in my work with Nally ... based on his prior portfolios (he) is very well-versed in natural gas and electricity,” said Hnatiw.
“He's managed to be a strong advocate for the Industrial Heartland Association, for the (petrochemical) industry, for traditional oil and gas and electricity, but also in understanding the tangible services that vulnerable people need in their communities.”
Heron also said she hopes Rebecca Schulz, who was appointed Municipal Affairs minister last October after Smith won the UCP leadership, returns to the position as part of Smith's new cabinet.
“Since I've been elected, I need two hands to count how many (municipal affairs) ministers we've had,” she said. “We're used to re-educating a minister of municipal affairs very frequently.”
Indeed, since 2011, Alberta has seen 12 different municipal affairs ministers, including four UCP MLAs in the last four years.
“I always call the minister of municipal affairs 'the minister of everything,'” Heron said. “Whoever gets that position hopefully sees it that way, as a partner with municipalities to get us access to where we need to be.”
