OLDS - After almost exactly 10 years as the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA, Nathan Cooper has been appointed as Alberta’s official senior representative to the United States, officials announced Wednesday.
It is expected that he will step down as an MLA.
A former Town of Carstairs councillor, Cooper was first elected as an MLA in May 2015 and elected by his fellow MLAs as speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2019.
Cooper’s new position will see him based at the Alberta Washington Office in Washington, D.C.
His position will focus on “attracting investment, expanding trade opportunities and maintaining relationships needed to connect Alberta with key decision makers in the U.S.,” officials said.
“Nathan Cooper is the right choice to fill this important role,” Premier Danielle Smith said in a release. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with Nathan as we advocate for Albertans and for our province’s interests in Washington and across the U.S.
“In this evolving landscape, Alberta must maintain and build on our times with U.S. officials.”
In the same release, Cooper said, “I’m honoured to be entrusted by Premier Danielle Smith with this critical assignment at such a pivotal time. Now more than ever, I see this as a vital opportunity to strengthen and advance Alberta’s long-standing relationship with the United States, ensuring stability and collaboration amid global uncertainty.”
In the release issued Wednesday, officials said Cooper served as MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills from May 5, 2015 to May 7, 2025.
Cooper replaces Jame Rajotte as the province’s senior representative in Washington.
Naheed Nenshi, leader of Alberta’s Official Opposition, issued a statement regarding Cooper’s appointment: “On behalf of Alberta’s New Democrats, I want to thank Speaker Nathan Cooper for his years of service in the legislature and for his stewardship of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly since 2019. His fairness, humanity and deep respect for parliamentary tradition helped foster a more thoughtful and respectful legislature.”
The Alberta Washington Office is collocated within the Canadian Embassy.
Cooper did not immediate return an Albertan call seeking comment Wednesday afternoon.
