Nathan Cooper, MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, has been named official Opposition House Leader for the Wildrose Party.
“I was pleased and honoured that (Wildrose leader) Brian (Jean) would put his trust in me to play a leadership role in our caucus,” Cooper said. “(Also) to help get our team ready for this session and subsequent sessions. I’m quite humbled and honoured to do that.”
Cooper, who won his riding on May 5 over Progressive Conservative candidate Wade Bearchell and NDP candidate Glenn Norman, previously served as councillor for the Town of Carstairs.
He also worked on the staff of outgoing Airdrie MLA Rob Anderson, who had served as Opposition House Leader.
“I’d spoken with (Jean) about some of my hopes and areas I thought I could be an asset to the team,” Cooper said. “Some of these inner workings of the legislature I had been involved in from a staffing perspective. At the end of the day, (Jean) decided that he also felt that I could be of assistance in that area.”
Cooper was announced as House Leader on May 11, when Opposition Leader Brian Jean filled his shadow cabinet and caucus officers roster. Cooper said he was looking forward to working with Jean.
“(He) brings an incredible amount of experience as a legislator and (with) 10 years in Ottawa, he’s certainly learned a lot,” he said. “He brings a wide range of skills to our organization and I look forward to serving with him and learning as much as possible from him, as well as all of our caucus colleagues.”
As Opposition House Leader, Cooper is responsible for day-to-day business of the Wildrose Party in the legislature, and will argue points of order before the Speaker of the legislature.
“I really look forward to getting our team ready. We’re going to put on some training sessions so we can be as effective as possible, as quickly as possible (before) the throne speech on June 15,” he said. “I also look forward to representing our caucus well in the legislature when it comes to point of order and point of privilege.”
Cooper said he was looking forward to the opportunity to make “significant reforms” in the province.
“I think predominantly, Albertans voted for change. They didn’t necessarily vote for an NDP government. I firmly believe we are still a conservative province,” he said. “Albertans have put their trust in us to be the Opposition and we will do our best to represent them.
“Clearly, there’s going to be some fundamental differences between our position and the government’s position, but where there (are) areas of common good we will definitely thank the government for doing the right thing.”
Other Wildrose announcements on May 11 included Chestermere-Rocky View MLA Leela Aheer, who was named shadow minister for energy.
