Provincial politicians on parallel Peace region tours

Municipal Affairs Minister ShayeAnderson and United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney are on separate tours of northwestAlberta this week, rallying support and talking to localleaders about economic development in the region.

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Anderson met with municipal politicians inBeaverlodge and Hythe, Alta., on Wednesday. He will visit CIASolutions, an advertising company in Grande Prairie, Thursday afternoon.

"As the economy's ramping up here and things are looking better, I want to understand what's happening in the municipalities" Anderson said.

"A lot of smaller rural areas feel like their voices aren't heard enough."

Conversations with municipal politicians in the Peace region will help Anderson advocate for small-town interests during budget talks, he said.

A keyissueforthe region includes securingmoney to update decades-oldinfrastructure, such as waste and water treatment systems.

"A lot of the stuff has kind of already been put in motion for this budget," Anderson said. "But we can start looking at going forward."

He walked through a quiet farmer's market inBeaverlodgewith the town's mayor on Wednesday.

GaryRycroft, who was elected as mayor last year, said it was a rare opportunity to advocate for his community directly to a provincial politician.

"We're a little quieter out here and we don't get heard as well," Rycroftsaid. "Every time we get to talk to a minister or get our voice out there, they're very understanding and very good to deal with.So we do feel a little more comfortable that our voice is being heard."

Rycroft said he wants to see money set aside for rural and small-town infrastructure, as well as a new hospital in Beaverlodge to replace its aging facility.

Kenneyshoring up support

Kenney launched a province-wide tour in Whitecourt on Monday, his first since being elected as UCPleader in October.

The tour will help define topics for the new party's first convention in May, Kenney said, during which the UCP will decide on the direction its policies will take.

"Part of that is me listening to municipal councils, employers, social service groups and others about how we can get Alberta back on track,"Kenneytold CBC Newsin Grande Prairie.

He spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Grande Prairie, before travelling farther north to meet with officials in Peace River and La Crete on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Hewraps up the northern half of his travels on Saturday in Slave Lake.

The trip'sintention is twofold, Kenney said: To hearfrom local leadersand to rally support for the next provincial election.

"I started our campaign on uniting the conservative parties here,in Grande Prairie, in the summer of 2016,"Kenneysaid.

"This was actually the strongest support, province-wide, for creating the United Conservative Party.

"I want northwest Alberta, the Peace Country, Grande Prairieto be a critical part of our future conservative government," he added.

Kenney plans to hold similar meetings in southern Alberta communities over the final week of February.

@ZoeHTodd