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Alberta's recently resigned legislature Speaker to vote, heckle in last days as MLA

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United Conservative Party MLA Nathan Cooper speaks after being voted in as Alberta's speaker of the house in Edmonton on May 21, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

EDMONTON — Alberta's now former Speaker of the legislature says he's excited to display some partisanship in his last days as an elected official.

Nathan Cooper announced this week that he is to resign his seat in the assembly to become Alberta's representative to the United States.

The United Conservative Party MLA had been Alberta's legislature Speaker and non-partisan debate referee since 2019.

He says he thinks made a positive impact by improving the relationship between parties, but he says he has a lot to get off his chest after six years of holding his tongue.

Cooper says he'll vote on legislation and heckle his assembly colleagues over the last week of Alberta's spring session, after which he'll resign his seat to take on his new role.

He says he doesn't have an endorsement for who should take his place as Speaker, an election for which will take place on Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press

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