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Hanson seeking term as MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul

Current Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills MLA Dave Hanson wants to carry on representing the area, regardless of the change in riding. The St.
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Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA David Hanson said the UCP’s decision to reduce pay is “leading by example.”

Current Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills MLA Dave Hanson wants to carry on representing the area, regardless of the change in riding.


The St. Paul native has spent the past three years as MLA, and is running for the United Conservative Party (UCP) nomination in hopes of continuing his service to the region.


Prior to his debut into politics, Hanson worked in the oil and gas sector in Bonnyville.


“I think I can represent the area very well up here. I have been out there, I’ve done the 24-day, 16-hour shifts, and then taken two days off before going back and doing it again. I know how hard people work here. I would really like to get the entire region working together for the common voice to get more recognition for northeastern Alberta,” he expressed.


Living on the border of the Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul and Lac La Biche-Fort McMurray constituencies, Hanson had to decide which riding made the most sense.


It was his ties to the local area that ultimately made the choice for him.


“We do all of our business in St. Paul, I worked in Bonnyville for over 25 years. It really made the most sense,” noted Hanson, adding Bonnyville has “been very good to my family.”


Even though the riding is growing in size, Hanson isn’t discourage, mostly because the size of his current constituency spreads over 6,000-square kilometres.


“My wife spends a lot of time with me on the road. It’s nice that our kids are grown. My son is a brand new doctor here in Bonnyville and I have a daughter that’s a nurse in Edmonton,” Hanson described. “We’ve got the freedom to do a good job and get out to all of the communities. I think that’s what’s important, is whether you’re a small community like Ashmont or Ardmore, I think people still like to see their MLA if they have a function going on. I try to get out to absolutely everything that I can.”


He added, “I don’t believe in just representing one community. I believe in representing the whole constituency and the province as a whole. I believe that’s the job of an MLA.”


So far, in his current role, Hanson has made some waves in the healthcare and education sectors.


He described getting a dialysis unit into the Lac La Biche Hospital and inclusive education for Portage College St. Paul Campus, as big wins.


“It’s been interesting, the things I have accomplished as an opposition MLA. I would be very interested to see what can be accomplished as a seat in government,” Hanson expressed.


Moving forward, Hanson would like to see “some recognition for the economic contribution that northeastern Alberta puts into the province.”


He said, “I would like to promote the needs rather than the wants until we get our spending under control in this province, I think that’s exactly what we’re going to have to do.”


Hanson has been endorsed by outgoing Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr, and is ready to put up a fight for the Lakeland.


“I really commend Scott for taking the time out for his family. Those are years you can’t buy back, and I get that. I think Scott stepping aside and making room for me here was very commendable. I appreciate his support and his endorsement. We’re both on the same path when it comes to conservative values and financial conservatisms and getting our province back to work,” noted Hanson.


Running under the UCP, Hanson is proud to have been a part of the Conservative Party and Wildrose Party merge.


He believes there is a lot of work to do in order to get the province back to where it was.


“We used to be the best place in the world to do business. I would like to see us get back to that,” he said.


Aside from putting northeastern Alberta first, Hanson plans on sitting down and taking a look at rural crime.


As part of the ongoing discussions with crown prosecutors, Hanson has heard first-hand the needs of the ones in the area.


“The shortage of crown prosecutors in rural Alberta is a big thing. I know that they announced some new positions, but have yet to see where they’re going to be posted. The workload on our prosecutors is an issue, and the lack of court time,” Hanson detailed.


Improving the economy would also be a step in the right direction, Hanson said.


“It’s no secret that the crime rate has gone up since the economy has taken a dive. The two go hand-in-hand.”


Hanson has competition for the UCP nomination. Craig Copeland and Glenn Spiess are also hoping to represent the riding under the UCP banner. Former St. Paul mayor Glenn Andersen has already been named the Alberta Party candidate.


Voting for the UCP nominations will open in September.

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