IN TOUCH WITH MP EARL DREESHEN
December 17, 2015
It has been an interesting year politically on the federal stage. Thank you to all the voters in Central Alberta who voted to send a Conservative voice to Ottawa. The role will change, but it is still my job to bring your voice to Ottawa and hold the government to account.
Agriculture and Energy
In the government’s Throne Speech used to outline the priorities of the coming session the government made no mention of the energy sector or the agriculture sector. Both of these industries play vital roles in our Alberta economy so it concerns me that this government doesn’t seem to see them as priorities. This is why in my inaugural speech in the 42nd parliament I made a commitment to ensure that these sectors have a voice and support becomes a priority. Through hard work by both me and my Conservative Party colleagues we will ensure that rural and Central Alberta issues continue to be heard in Ottawa.
Redistribution
One major change that will affect how I do my work as a parliamentarian is the redistribution of riding boundaries. In 1908 the Red Deer riding was created, which encompassed everything between Calgary and Edmonton. Each redistribution saw the area covered get smaller and smaller due to population growth in the region. Under the new electoral map the City of Red Deer is split into two ridings, Red Deer-Lacombe represented by Blain Calkins and Red Deer- Mountain View the riding I was elected to represent. Due to the changes I am forced to say goodbye to the areas of Red Deer North and Sylvan Lake and welcome new southern communities Olds, Didsbury, Carstairs, Sundre, Cremona and Mountain View County. I look forward to meeting new people and helping ensure their concerns have a voice in Parliament.
International Stage
In this new Parliament I intend to remain active on the international trade front, representing and promoting our Central Alberta community. In past years I took an active role in the ParlAmerica’s association, a forum for Parliamentarians across North and South America. Through ParlAmericas I have been able to host business groups from across the Western hemisphere and help encourage investment in Canada and in Central Alberta. In the New Year I am most excited to be attending the Asian Pacific Parliamentary Forum on Trade Security taking place in Vancouver. This summit is incredibly important especially because our previous Conservative government recently signed the ground breaking Trans Pacific Partnership. My hope is that the new government will implement the deal and open up new and expansive markets for Canadian producers.
Closing
As always, I encourage constituents to reach out to me and express their concerns. I am your voice in Parliament, I want to ensure that this new government hears you and does what is best for you, our riding, our region and all of Canada.
With that, from my family to yours, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2016.
Sincerely your Member of Parliament,
Earl Dreeshen