Newly re-elected Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills United Conservative Party MLA Nathan Cooper says he plans to advocate for local farmers and ranchers, and promote rural health care over the next four years in the legislature.
On April 16 Cooper soundly defeated four challengers to win re-election to a second term in the riding.
His riding includes a large portion of Mountain View County, as well as Carstairs, Didsbury and Olds.
In a Gazette interview, Cooper laid out some of his plans moving forward on the government side.
“Certainly I want to do everything that I can to ensure that agriculture in our region has a strong voice in the next provincial government,” said Cooper. “It’s going to be one of my key focuses. I know my colleagues in Central Alberta are also very keen to have our government focus on agriculture.
“Between Jason Nixon (UCP MLA Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre), Devin Dreeshen (UCP MLA Innisfail-Sylvan Lake) and the rest of the team in Central Alberta we are keenly aware of the need to ensure that this part of our economy is growing.”
Supporting and promoting rural health care will also be a priority, he said.
“I want to ensure our health-care facilities in the constituency remain strong and continue to grow, as well as advocating for central Alberta more broadly,” he said.
Cooper was asked if he foresees the government providing more support to the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, which is a key referral hub for patients across the region, he said.
“That hospital is a destination for many patients here so it’s important that we make sure that we have a fair distribution of the health-care dollars throughout our province,” he said.
“I certainly think we need to do everything we can to advocate on behalf of Red Deer hospital, with respect to a fair and equal distribution of health-care dollars on a per capita basis. That would go a long way to strengthen health care in Central Alberta, and by extension rural Alberta.”
Health-care professionals, including nurses and doctors, have been calling for an expansion of the Red Deer hospital for several years.
Cooper says he plans to work closely with area municipalities to address the need for infrastructure support.
“We definitely want to strengthen our relationships with our municipal partners. At the end of the day those closest to the problem have the best ability to solve the problem. So I think it is important that we listen closely to municipalities and work with counties to make sure the needs of Albertans are met.”
The new UCP caucus (made up of sitting MLAs) is expected to meet sometime this week, he said.
“I want to start meeting some of our new team members and getting focused on the business of the people,” he said.
Asked if he expects to be named to cabinet in the new government, Cooper said, “I don’t know. I have no idea what the future holds. Obviously I’m happy to serve in whatever capacity Jason Kenney would have me serve. I would be honoured to be in cabinet but my primary focus is serving the constituents in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills.”
