First month busy for MLA Oneil Carlier

By Susan Hofforth

MLA Oneil Carlier has certainly been busy over the last few weeks! He was in Whitecourt on Friday, and we were able to talk to him about his whirlwind first month on the job.

“It’s been busy like I have never known busy in my life,” he said. “Other governments that have changed have had a longer time for transition. We had hours. We hit the ground running.”

In addition to representing Whitecourt-Ste. Anne, Carlier is the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. He was very pleased with the post. “When she offered it to me, I told her I was most honoured and that that is the one that I would have chosen if I could have picked.” One of the things keeping him so busy has been all he has to learn about this portfolio.

He spent his first few days getting a crash course overview of the forestry industry from Millar Western and ANC, but he says that agriculture has been even harder for him, despite his strong background.

“I grew up on the family farm in Saskatchewan where my brother still farms and I still go back and help out on the farm when I can. I had 20 years with Agriculture Canada, but after getting into the portfolio, I realized that agriculture is where the steepest learning curve is,” he said. “Agriculture has so many fascinating challenges and opportunities… not that forestry doesn’t have similar challenges… but agriculture is where I have to learn the most.”

A lot of the learning in the agriculture sector comes from exploring new markets. “There is great opportunity here to explore markets for our farms and forests in Asia and Europe, as well as keeping our strong ties in the United States.”

With summer almost here, he expects that he will be able to spend more time in his riding, and he is really looking forward to being able to spend time here, meeting people and being a part of the community. The offices in Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt will be re-opening once they are staffed.

He says the ride so far has been exhilarating. “Very exhilarating, very exciting, but humbling at the same time. It’s an honour and a great responsibility to have been chosen to represent all my constituents in Whitecourt-Ste. Anne, and then to have the added responsibility and honour of being named Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. It’s been exciting times, and I’m very optimistic and looking forward to the future.”

For now, Carlier is going to keep on learning. “I have been surprising myself with how much I have been able to absorb. I haven’t yet reached the point where I think that I am overwhelmed, and with the help of my staff, I suspect that I won’t be.

I couldn’t be happier. We are helping to make Alberta a better place to live. It’s already a great place, and I’m glad I’m here.”