The Minister of Energy Marg McCuaig-Boyd was joined this weekend by Minister of Tourism and Culture Ricardo Miranda as well as other NDP MLAs to tour Grande Prairie. Minister Miranda is responsible for sports as part of his portfolio. With the Scotties Tournament of Hearts on this week, they included the event as part of their visit.
“It highlights the fact that everywhere you go in Alberta we have diverse, vibrant communities that are jumping at the bid to host these really world renowned events. Which is really what sports are about right?”
He says promotion of sport in the province is done on the Travel Alberta website and more recently the winter sports like curling and snowboarding are showcased. Along with the Scotties, the MLAs and ministers toured local businesses and Seven Generations over the weekend while visiting the Peace Country. McCuaig-Boyd says she hopes they get an appreciation from the visit.
“I know how special the Peace, Grande Prairie, and north is. I am hoping they appreciate that. Minister Ricardo already said ‘I love this place!’. He loves the vibe and the feel. That is what I am hoping they take back.”
The three MLAs that joined were Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater’s Colin Piquette, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville’s Jessica Littlewood, and Edmonton-Meadowlark’s Jon Carson. All three say they are excited to learn more about the area and tour different aspects of the province. Piquette says he had not been in the Swan City for a few years and it has changed a lot.
“We are excited to talk to people to find out what their concerns are and find out what is similar to my own riding… and find out what’s different.”
The other two MLAs visited the Peace Country for the first time this weekend.