Neudorf optimistic about Lethbridge as new year dawns
By Trevor Busch - Lethbridge Herald on December 30, 2022.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDtbusch@lethbridgeherald.com With the province slowly transitioning into a post-restriction environment throughout the year, Albertans had a lot to appreciate after two years of virtual lockdown. From Freedom Convoys to courthouse rallies, the COVID-19 pandemic still loomed large over Lethbridge and its citizens.For Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf, 2022 has been a political whirlwind that has seen leaders fall and others rise.
“It’s fair to say we’ve had a fairly tumultuous year, starting with the leadership review and a leader subsequently stepping down. Then we had a very competitive leadership race, and now we’re into the sometimes-controversial Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act, which there are still some misunderstandings and some confusion about.”
Employing a seatbelt analogy, Neudorf launched into a spirited defence of the UCP’s recent Sovereignty Act.
“This is about remaining in Canada, we want to be Canadian, Albertans are very proud to be Canadians — and so am I — but there is still some misunderstanding about what a ‘shield’ legislation like the Sovereignty Act can do, and I think it more clearly defines the roles in our Canadian Constitution on jurisdictional authority for provinces as compared to the federal government. And I think that understanding will develop in time. When seatbelts were first introduced, only 14 per cent of the population thought it was a good idea but the rest hated it. I think now we understand well over 90 per cent of individuals support it because they understand how that protects them. I do feel that 32 per cent support for the Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act will also grow as people understand what it does to protect them, but it will take some time for that understanding to come about.”
With the ascension of Premier Danielle Smith in 2022, Neudorf’s political fortunes were also on the rise with his appointment to cabinet.
“I am obviously very honoured and pleased to have been given the responsibility for Minister of Infrastructure and deputy premier. Infrastructure is something I’ve worked in for almost 30 years prior to taking this job. To be able to come back to that industry and work with them on a collaborative effort to make sure Albertans get the schools they need, the hospitals they need, the public buildings they need, and continue to speak to legislation that continues to make that realm of work better, more collaborative, better value to the taxpaying citizens, is very exciting for me.”
Organizing various ministries to work collaboratively to come up with the best possible solution has been one of the most satisfying aspects of Neudorf’s deputy premier role.
“Being able to carry the role of deputy premier of the south, to help with internal relations in between ministries — because many of our challenges, whether mental health and addictions, homelessness — require actually the cooperation and contribution of a number of ministries, not just one. It often requires Health Care, Seniors and Housing, Community Social Services, Mental Health and Addictions, and to be able to bring those people around a table in collaborative way and work to that for a very comprehensive solution was rewarding in and of itself, but more so in the fact that we’re meeting the needs of Albertans where they are.”
While taking on new roles in government has been exciting, time is running out on the UCP’s present mandate and an election battle looms large in early 2023.
“The budget process is underway already, and we’ll be working through those deliberations in the next weeks and months until the budge is tabled at the end of February. And then of course it’s no surprise to people we’ll be heading into the election cycle with a target date at the end of May, and I hope to be able to retain my seat here in Lethbridge-East and continue to represent these incredible people at the highest levels of government within Alberta in Edmonton and the legislature.”
New doctors are on the way to help alleviate the city’s family doctor crisis.
“We have hired 17, I believe there are three here setting up practice and beginning to take patients,” said Neudorf. “That’s a small step in the right direction. When the rest of the 17 come that will be a couple of huge steps toward that. So we look to build on those successes.”
Despite some serious problems Lethbridge still has a lot to offer people, argues Neudorf.
“We’ve been very focused on building a true representation of what Lethbridge is and has to offer. We’re a tremendous city. We may not have the beauty of a Canmore or Banff or Jasper, but we’re very close to beautiful areas in Waterton, we are a hub in the south for health care, for agriculture products and food processing, we have a growing tourist industry, we have a vibrant First Nations community that we continue to work with, we have a very stable economy and very affordable living, and we’re really not that far from a major centre in Calgary. So I look forward to building on our strengths rather than focusing on our flaws.”
Highway 3 twinning set to get underway in early 2023 will pay big dividends for the south in terms of economic development.
“For the points of safety and economic development, that is a key arterial that we need to focus on,” said Neudorf. “And having that commitment means a lot to the south. It helps our farmers, it helps our producers, it helps our trucking industry as an arterial east and west connecting with our main artery Highway 2 going to the south. We are an agricultural superpower, and this just underscores that.”
Neudorf identified the UCP’s affordability initiatives as one of the key pieces of legislation that was passed in 2022.
“I think the most important one right now is our affordability package for Albertans. We have been through an unprecedented time of inflation — some of the highest in over three decades — there has been cost escalation in all kinds of things, and that puts a lot of people in a really tough financial circumstance. So our affordability package will be sending dollars to families with children under 18, seniors 65 and older, all those on AISH and other income supports will get direct benefits sent to them.”
Excitement is also mounting in Lethbridge for a grand opening in 2023.
“I am looking forward in the early part of the year, the Exhibition Park (Agri-Food Hub) will be nearing completion and opening. I think that’s just going to be a really exciting time as they get back to full programming for the first time in a couple of years with a new building and a new site, I think that’s going to generate a lot of excitement.”
Helping with the plight of Lethbridge’s homeless, some new treatment options will be coming on stream to assist vulnerable people battling addictions.
“We’re going to have our treatment centre for mental health and addictions, long-term treatment, come online in the spring, and I think that’s really going to make a significant difference to our downtown homeless population actually having a place to go if that is what’s ailing them. We’ve got more beds in treatment than all of Vancouver, so that’s a pretty significant statement for us here.”
Neudorf believes the coming year with build on the successes of the last.
“I think we’re going to have a lot of great stories coming — not just early in the new year, but throughout next year — to just sort of get us back on our feet in very strong way after the pandemic.” 3
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