New #wrp MLAs getting ready for their first Official Opposition caucus meeting. #ableg pic.twitter.com/IoflvVjp81
— Team Wildrose (@TeamWildrose) May 11, 2015
Wildrose leader Brian Jean met with his party’s members today, in their first Official Opposition caucus meeting, where he announced the members of the shadow cabinet:
Drew Barnes, MLA Cypress – Medicine Hat is the Shadow Minister for Health.
Rick Strankman, MLA Drumheller – Stettler is the Shadow Minister for Agriculture
Pat Stier, MLA Livingstone – Macleod is the Shadow Minister for Municipal Affairs
Derek Fildebrandt, MLA Strathmore – Brooks is the Shadow Minister for Finance & Treasury Board
Mark Smith, MLA Drayton Valley – Devon is the Shadow Minister for Education
Leela Sharon Aheer, Chestermere – Rocky View is the Shadow Minister for Energy

Rick Strankman, the new Shadow Minister for Agriculture, is a farmer/rancher from Altario, Alberta. A past treasurer for the Western Barley Producers, Strankman is perhaps best known for his involvement in the “Farmers for Justice” movement in the mid-1990s, when a group of Alberta farmers trucked grain across the Alberta/Montana border to protest the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly. Strankman was jailed for his efforts, and later pardoned by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, on August 1, 2012.
Strankman has been the MLA for Drumheller-Stettler since 2012.
“We have an incredibly strong team representing every corner of the province. We are ready to stand up for Albertans and focus on their priorities,” Jean said. “Alberta is facing unique and challenging circumstances, and Albertans deserve to have their representatives hard at work putting forward positive and constructive solutions.”
The early roster will be put to work on key portfolios immediately, with further shadow cabinet appointments to follow the Premier’s cabinet announcement.
Related:
Alberta Turns Orange — Rachel Notley’s NDP Wins a Majority; Ag Minister Anyone’s Guess
This Week on RealAg — Alberta Votes NDP and Planting Progresses — May 7, 2015