Alberta’s new minister of agriculture and forestry was sworn in on April 30, 2019. Devin Dreeshen, MLA for the riding of Innisfail-Sylvan, was first elected to the legislative assembly in a by-election in April 2018.

Mr. Dreeshen has a respected record of community service as director of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers’ Association, board member of the Crossroads Agricultural Society, and volunteer at the Pine Lake Country Fair. His family grows grains and canola. 

From 2008 to 2015, he worked in Ottawa as a policy advisor to Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz from 2008 to 2015, advocating for Canadian agriculture trade, improved rural infrastructure support, and leading the effort to end the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly.

His solid background, personally and politically, will be needed on urgent files: the carbon tax and international trade. 

Dreeshen will be one of two new faces at the upcoming federal-provincial-territorial agriculture ministers’ meeting to be held in Quebec City July 18-19.  Prince Edward Island’s new government will be announcing a new cabinet soon. 

Source: Alberta government April 30, 2019 web post