The True Post (Web News)Alberta Legislative Assembly Speaker Nathan Cooper has resigned from his speakership and seat as an MLA. He will now take on new responsibilities as Alberta’s official representative to the United States.
This significant development came Monday when the Alberta government announced that Nathan Cooper is being appointed as the provincial representative to Washington, D.C., where he will represent Alberta’s interests in the areas of economic, energy, and intergovernmental relations.
In announcing his resignation, Nathan Cooper said: “It has been an honour for me to serve the people of Alberta. Now, with a new responsibility, I will work to protect the province’s international interests, particularly by strengthening our important relationship with the United States.”
Nathan Cooper has been a member of the Alberta Assembly since 2015 and has served as Speaker since 2019. He has been praised as a balanced, dignified and principled Speaker, who upholds the code of conduct and impartiality in the House.
The role of Alberta’s representative in Washington is considered crucial, particularly in the context of energy, trade, environment and border policies. The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner, and Alberta’s economy — particularly its oil and gas sector — is heavily dependent on American markets.
Cooper’s appointment is being hailed as a step that could help strengthen Alberta’s international policy.
Premier Daniel Smith praised Nathan Cooper’s services, saying: “We are grateful to him for running the House with honor and dignity, and we are confident that he will be an excellent representative for the province on the international stage as well.”
