As Alberta’s new UCP government reaches its 100-day milestone, Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright MLA Garth Rowswell says he feels good about what has been accomplished over the last couple months.
“I am pretty comfortable that we’re doing what we promised we would do. Maybe not everyone agrees with what we’re doing but we’re fulfilling the commitments we made and how we got elected.”
Out of 375 commitments made by the Alberta government, 58 have been completed with 10 currently underway. One of the key election promises made by Premier Jason Kenney was the removal of the provincial carbon tax, which was removed on May 30 marking his government’s first piece of legislation.
“It was such a primary thing to what we said we were going to do. I’m glad that was bill number one and proud that we were able to put it through.”
Premier Kenney spoke of the first 100 days in office in front of the legislature building on Wednesday morning while also announcing the new Indigenous Litigation Fund. Rowswell believes Indigenous people who support the energy sector tend to be left out of the conversation.
“It’s part of the fightback strategy, out of all the things we’re doing, this one addresses the Indigenous people and making sure that the ones who support the oil industry are heard, or something they want to fight back against legally, there is support there for them to do that.”
Funding can be used to support a variety of legal actions, including researching positions, developing motions, participating in trials and appeals, or intervening in processes and legal actions.
MLA Rowswell says his first 100-days have consisted of consultation with ministers and the public in order to stick with commitments made by the UCP government.
“My main goal is helping people navigate the bureaucracy of government but also make sure people come out and express their opinion. There is going to be a lot of consultation going on and when those opportunities present themselves it’s peoples opportunities to be heard.”
Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture Devin Dreeshen will be coming to Vermilion on August 9 to speak to farmers on Bill 6, known as the farm and ranch safety legislation, in response to the UCP’s commitment to end the bill passed by the former NDP government.
“Ministers are working very hard, making special efforts to get to all the different parts of the province. For the most part, people are happy with what we’re doing. There have been a few concerns expressed and we’ve been able to address them. I am pretty proud of the performance of the government overall.”
