NDP MLA-elect Colin Piquette has been busy trying to hit the ground running since defeating incumbent MLA Jeff Johnson in Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater.
In the two weeks following the May 5 election that swept his party to power after 44 years of Progressive Conservative rule in Alberta, there has been a steep learning curve and a lot on his plate.
“Part of it has been trying to keep on top of all the messages from constituents, organizations, councils and elected officials,” he said. “I’ve been deluged with messages.”
As a self-described workaholic, however, he’s taking it all in stride and connecting with as many of his constituents and stakeholders as possible.
On top of that, he’s been sorting out logistical concerns related to running the constituency, like dealing with budgets and sorting out where the constituency offices will be. Budget permitting, he said, he would keep the office in Athabasca but have another office to serve residents in the Gibbons, Bon Accord and Redwater areas.
But the biggest part of it so far has been getting oriented as a new MLA, and learning the ins and outs of what the job entails until he can be formally sworn in some time after May 25 when the three-week period where election results can be disputed has passed.
Piquette said he has already spent a great deal of time considering the issues in the riding, which is one of just a handful of rural ridings that elected an NDP candidate.
He said there may be some challenges associated with representing a rural area when the majority of his caucus colleagues represent urban Albertans, but said he’s confident whatever differences exist can be adequately addressed.
One specific example he offered is with respect to schools. The party ran on a platform focused on ensuring enough teachers for schools facing increased enrolment, primarily in urban areas, but in the northern part of his riding the main concern is decreasing enrolment that may force closure of some schools.
“There’s maybe not conflicts between rural and urban needs, but definitely there might be some distinct differences between those needs,” Piquette said.
That said, there are many issues residents in both the outlying rural areas of the riding and the parts closer to the city – namely, the poor condition of the region’s highways.
At the provincial level, he said there has as yet been little discussion within the caucus as a whole about who might end up in what cabinet positions because MLA-elects are more focused on local concerns, but he expressed confidence there’s more than enough talent to fill the required roles.
“I don’t envy our premier, because I think there’s a lot of talent in our caucus. There’s no shortage of qualified, dedicated people to be able to do the job,” he said.
And when he’s not focused on doing the job at hand, he said he spends a great deal of time with his wife and two teenage sons. He said he also does a lot of reading, specifically on the topic of international affairs. For the next four years, however, his focus will be on issues closer to home.
“I’m really excited to be able to do my best to represent this riding and I’m grateful for the trust people placed in our party and myself,” he said. “I’ll do my best to make sure that trust is upheld.”
Piquette can be contacted at [email protected].
