INNISFAIL – Newly elected Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Devin Dreeshen addressed questions last Thursday night over his ties with United States President Donald Trump.
News of Dreeshen’s possible involvement in Trump’s campaign in 2016 came to light last week and went viral across social media just 24 hours before the byelection in Innisfail-Sylvan Lake on July 12.
“I’ve spent many, many years working on provincial campaigns, federal campaigns and international campaigns,” said Dreeshen, during a media scrum Thursday evening. “I was an election observer in the Ukraine for the Ukraine presidential election and the parliamentary election and then went down to the U.S. during the primary race and also (for) their general election.”
He noted that while he made several contacts there, it was not the main purpose of his visit.
“That’s Canada’s biggest trading partner. Having done numerous trade missions around the world while I was working in the Canadian government for the minister of agriculture, (I) promoted market access and gained lots of market access around the world for Canadian agricultural products,” explained Dreeshen.
“I believe all these contacts that I’ve made down there (in the United States) is just going to be a benefit to us, the Alberta government and ultimately, to Alberta farmers,” he added.
When asked about Trump and his policies, Dreeshen stated his visit to the U.S. in 2016 was an educational opportunity and learning experience.
“I participated in the whole American process when I was down there,” he said. “It wasn’t picking a particular candidate, it was just to see how the American system worked. The fact that he is the president of the United States and I have made great contacts there, I think it’s a huge benefit for us,” Dreeshen added.
UCP Leader Jason Kenney fully supported Dreeshen.
“Devin has been quite open about his political activism and published an article that appeared in the Hill Times, an Ottawa newspaper,” said Kenney, noting that Dreeshen’s involvement and interest in American politics is a positive thing for Albertans.
“I think it’s actually probably helpful for Alberta to have an MLA who has contacts in the American administration,” said Kenney.
