Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper is set to take over a new post in the coming weeks.
Cooper said in a statement at the end of the legislative assembly on Wednesday that the premier has asked him to serve as Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States based in Washington. Cooper will officially resign as speaker at midnight on Monday, May 12.
"Serving this assembly has been one of the greatest honours of my lifetime. Standing alongside each of you and serving you as been a dream that I have lived out each day," he said, noting he was the eighth longest serving speaker of Alberta.
"Today, that dream comes to an end. For as, my time in the chair will only last a few more minutes. I believe we are at a critical time in our province and in our country, with respect to how we interact with the world and with the United States of America. How we do that interaction, I believe is just as important as what we do to interact."
James Rajotte has been Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States since May 1, 2020. He stepped aside from the role following Donald Trump's second inauguration.
“Alberta has seen a lot of success in building its relationship with U.S. decision makers, and much of that success is thanks to the hard work of James Rajotte as Alberta’s Senior Representative to the U.S," said Premier Danielle Smith in a press release.
"In this evolving landscape, Alberta must maintain and build on our ties with U.S. officials, and Nathan Cooper is the right choice to fill this important role. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Nathan as we advocate for Albertans and for our province’s interests in Washington and across the U.S.”
Cooper has held his seat in Olds-Didsbury since 2015, when he was elected with 53.4 per cent of the vote. In 2019, he won 78.5 per cent of the vote and was re-elected in 2023, winning 75 per cent of the vote.
Cooper was first elected to serve as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on May 21, 2019 and was reelected Speaker on June 20, 2023. He has never held a cabinet post or worked in international affairs.
"Serving as the 14th speaker of the legislative assembly of Alberta over the past almost six years has prepared me for such a time as this," he said, adding his new appointment is expected to start in mid-June.
"Working as the assembly's chief diplomat has equipped me to be ready for my next role, serving Albertans in a new and meaningful way."
The 45-year-old was a municipal councillor in Carstairs prior to being elected to the Legislative Assembly. Cooper also served as Chief of Staff to the Wildrose Official Opposition caucus.
On July 24, 2017, Cooper was elected interim leader of the new United Conservative Party caucus, becoming the Leader of the Opposition in that process.
On that same date, he and his interim leadership team nominally assumed the leadership of the two parties that merged to form the UCP, the Progressive Conservatives and Wildrose. At the time, Alberta electoral law did not allow parties to formally merge.
On 28 October 2017, Cooper's tenure as interim leader ended when former PC leader Jason Kenney was elected as the UCP's first full-time leader.
In his farewell address, Cooper also addressed the current state of democracy and politics.
"Our democracy is worth fighting for. It's worth standing up for. In my only words of caution this afternoon, let me say this. Sometimes, when we don't like the results of an election, here in Alberta, in our country or around the world, we are inclined to say things like 'our democracy is broken' and I worry that it has a chilling impact on our democracy and our people," he said.
"Honourable members, our democracy isn't broken. It's alive and well. It's more accessible and open to an overwhelming majority of Albertans today, than it has been at any point and time in our history. If a new Canadian or young Albertan shows up in Alberta today, it's possible that they can be here in these seats, in virtually no time at all... our democracy is truly unique. It isn't about how much money you have or who you know but it's about building teams of people to work together to accomplish a common goal, that has gotten all of us to this point today."
MLAs will select a new speaker on Tuesday, May 13 and a by-election will also have to be called in the riding of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills.
"Thank you to the constituents of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills who have supported me. Thank you to the moms and dads who make our province what it is. Thank you to the truck drivers and the farmers who make the world spin. Thank you to the volunteers and activists, without you, our collective success isn't possible," Cooper said.
