OLDS - Soon-to-be ex-Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA, Nathan Cooper says he plans to promote and champion the region’s agriculture industry as part of his new position as Alberta’s senior representative to the United States.
Cooper announced last week that he accepted the new position, which will see him based at the Alberta Washington Office in Washington, D.C. starting next month.
First elected in the riding in 2015, Cooper gave up his position as speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta effective Monday at midnight and will also resign as MLA by June 1.
A vote was held in the legislature Tuesday to replace Cooper as speaker. Rick McIver won.
In order to hold this new bi-partisan role, McIver resigned from his position as minister of Municipal Affairs. Alberta’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, and Government House Leader, Joseph Schow, will be serving as interim Minister of Municipal Affairs until a new minister is appointed.
Cooper's new position will focus on “attracting investment, expanding trade opportunities and maintaining relationships needed to connect Alberta with key decision makers in the U.S.”
During a funding announcement at Olds College days after he announced his resignations, Cooper said, “I will continue to fight relentlessly for Olds College and our ag sector as we combat unfair attacks and tariffs on our ag sector.
“There will not be a bigger voice for the ag sector on Washington than the one that you will have in me. We will work relentlessly to defend our producers and defend great institutions that make Alberta strong, prosperous and free and that feed the world, that help farmers and ranchers.”
During the funding announcement at Olds College, Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney thanked Cooper for his service to his constituency and the province.
Olds College board chairman Al Kemmere also commended Cooper for his public service.
“I have worked with Nathan for many years and he has been a great representative for the communities that he represents. He has been a strong advocate and a strong promoter of Olds College,” he said.
“On behalf of the board of governors and the college, I would like to say thank you for all the work you’ve done as our MLA but also as a representative to the people in the communities that you have served.”
In announcing Cooper’s new position as senior representative, Premier Danielle Smith said in a release that, “Nathan Cooper is the right choice to fill this important role. 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.”
Naheed Nenshi, leader of Alberta’s Official opposition New Democrats, 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 located within the Canadian Embassy.
