INNISFAIL – Devin Dreeshen is staying put as a provincial MLA for the riding of Innisfail-Sylvan Lake.
Dreeshen, who is also the UCP government’s minister of Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors, announced on social media Tuesday that over the past few months he has been “encouraged” to put his name forward for the new federal Red Deer riding and to help Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre form the next government.
However, he has decided to remain with the provincial UCP.
“I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and confidence but I believe I can make the greatest impact from where I am, leading from Alberta,” said Dreeshen in his Facebook post. “I will continue to represent my constituents in Edmonton, as the UCP MLA for Innisfail – Sylvan Lake.”
Last month, Dreeshen’s father Earl, who represented the region federally since 2008, announced he will not be seeking the riding's nomination for this year's upcoming federal election.
In the meantime, Dreeshen noted his provincial ministry work under Premier Danielle Smith has led him to sign agreements with the prairie provinces and the Northwest Territories on economic corridors to politically de-risk new building projects that would go beyond Alberta's landlocked borders.
“I see that there is change coming to Canada,” said Dreeshen, adding he is confident Poilievre will become Canada’s new prime minister. “I am confident that a federal Conservative government can use the signed Alberta-led economic corridor agreements to prioritize nation building projects from new highways, railways, electrical utility lines, and energy pipelines.”
