By Sheldon Spackman

Dreeshen feels experience, local knowledge have him prepared to be MLA

Mar 9, 2018 | 12:40 PM

One of seven candidates running to become the next MLA for Innisfail – Sylvan Lake stopped in Innisfail for a Meet and Greet today accompanied by former Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

Devin Dreeshen, one six seeking the United Conservative Party nomination for the riding following Don McIntyre’s resignation last month, met with roughly 70 constituents at the Innisfail Legion Friday morning.

He outlined his experience and priorities to the audience while receiving an endorsement from Canada’s former Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Dreeshen’s former boss for eight years.

“Getting government to change is hard. But Devin has the experience to do it,” said Ritz. “Devin pushed hard for rural communities within the Harper government. He was my point man on removing the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly – dealing with stakeholders, preparing legislation, and driving it through the bureaucracy and Parliament. He can get it done.”

“Devin was at the heart of annual meetings with provincial and territorial Ministers, at international trade missions promoting Canadian agriculture in places like Hong Kong, Beijing, Moscow, Istanbul, Ukraine and all over the U.S. But he was always attached to his home, to his family farm near Pine Lake, Alberta. When I needed him during harvest or seeding, he was usually answering his phone from the field,” added Ritz.

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The 30-year-old Dreeshen, who currently farms near Pine Lake, says having grown up in the area and working with Ritz gives him a lot of political experience to draw upon for the role of MLA.

“I was born in Innisfail, I farm here, I’ve lived here for most of my life,” explains Dreeshen. “I know the importance of a rural area being represented by a rural person that understands rural issues, whether it’s rural crime or health care. It’s something that is near and dear to my heart and I’m excited to have the opportunity to run and represent people here.”

Dreeshen feels his ability to listen would serve him well as an MLA.

“I’ve been involved in politics for a very long time,” says Dreeshen. “I’ve been going to conventions, both provincial and federally for decades and I understand that the good parts of politics is talking to people, engaging with people and listening to people.

“I’ve been on lots of campaigns and now actually being the candidate out in front, it’s a different experience,” continues Dreeshen. “But I think it’s really rewarding and fulfilling to talk to people and represent people because if good people don’t do it, then people get cynical about politics in general.”

Dreeshen identifies rural crime as the riding’s current top priority.

“It’s different than in Edmonton and Calgary,” elaborates Dreeshen. “They have six or eight minute response times for RCMP or the police to show up. Here, it’s half an hour, an hour, or possibly not at all, so it is a big issue and it’s becoming an epidemic.”

Dreeshen says he’s met with a lot of constituents over the past month since announcing he’s running to become the riding’s next MLA.

“There’s a lot of excitement for the United Conservative Party and a lot of excitement with Jason Kenney possibly becoming Leader,” admits Dreeshen. “I’m excited to work and be a part of his team and be a strong rural voice in his team and I think it’s exciting that in 2019 when a big general election happens next year, we’ll be able to get rid of the NDP and to restore the Alberta advantage and to bring common-sense Conservative values back to Edmonton and back to Alberta.”

Other candidates seeking the UCP nomination for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA include Red Deer County Councilor Christine Moore, Penhold Town Councilor Mike Walsh, City of Red Deer Plumbing and Gas Inspector and Sylvan Lake resident Victor Sloboda, Sylvan Lake Realtor Joan Barnes and Red Deer Lawyer Gayle Langford.

Randy Thorsteinson, Leader of the Reform Party of Alberta is also running in the upcoming by-election, which will take place sometime before August 5.