After 14 years as the Member of Parliament for Yellowhead Rob Merrifield officially announced his retirement from federal politics on Wednesday, Sept. 17, to take a new job with the Alberta government.
Effective immediately Merrifield will become the Alberta government’s Senior Representative to the United States.
“The last two days have been a real whirlwind for me,” Merrifield told the Leader. “I met with my board of directors last night and told them of my decision. Today (Sept. 17) at 12:30 p.m. I officially started my new job.”
Although, the announcement came as a surprise to many, Merrifield said Alberta’s new Premier Jim Prentice first brought up the possibility of representing the province’s interest in the United States this summer.
“We chatted informally about it but it did not become serious until he won the leadership race and became Premier. After that things started to progress very quickly,” Merrifield said.
When the Leader asked Merrifield if the changes in the Yellowhead electoral boundaries had anything to do with his decision to resign his seat and take on a new challenge, he said no.
In June 2013, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission finalized the redrawing of a number of ridings, including the Yellowhead riding. In the next election, due to population shifts, the Yellowhead constituency will extend its boundaries further south to Rocky Mountain House and further east and west while Whitecourt and Barrhead would be part of the Peace River-Westlock riding.
“I must admit I was very upset and frustrated about the changes to the Yellowhead riding. It was not a factor in my decision to resign my seat,” he said. “Jim and I have worked together in the cabinet and I have a lot of respect for his abilities.”
Even though Merrifield is now working for the Alberta government he said his new position has many similarities to his former position as a member of parliament.
As chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade Merrifield tried to forward Canadian interests internationally, especially in the United States.
“It does complement what I was doing for the Prime Minister.” Merrifield said. “He [Stephen Harper] had given me a mandate to work on all Canada-U.S., but as an MP half of my time was spent on working on local constituency issues. Now I can devote 100 per cent of my time to representing Alberta, which also helps Canada and the riding.”
Because of Merrifield’s familiarity with Canada-U.S. issues he said there would be very little time spent on transitioning into his new position.
“I am going to hit the ground running,” Merrifield said. “Tomorrow [Sept. 18] I will be speaking at an energy conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma and a week after that I will be in the U.S. Chamber in Washington, D.C. on a panel on trade. It just goes on from there. We have a very ambitious and aggressive agenda.”
Although, Merrifield said energy and the Keystone Pipeline will be one of the major issues he will be trying to promote there are a number of other topics he will be pursuing with his U.S. counterparts in the immediate future.
“Country of origin labeling for the beef industry is also a big issue and I would love to see a positive resolution on,” he said. “Working on border security issues while at the same time ensuring traffic and trade move across the 49th parallel in a fluid way is not only important to Alberta but Canada as well.”
Representing Alberta and Canada’s interest in the U.S. is a large job, but it is not one he is taking on his own.
“My wife is a tremendous asset,” Merrifield said. “Helping build relationships with people in Congress, the Senate and others is remarkable and I am very privileged to have her join me in this venture. It is sacrifice for her, but she sees it as a privilege to serve as well.”
Although, Merrifield’s appointment means he will be spending the majority of his time in the United States he still plans to return home to Alberta.
“Alberta and Whitecourt will always be my home and I hope to be able to return home for a few days every month,” he said.
Merrifield was first elected to represent the Yellowhead in 2000. He was re-elected in 2004, 2006 and 2008. Merrifield also served as the chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee for Finance as well as the Canada-US Interparliamentary Association. He also served on the Health Committee and the Board of Internal Economy. Before entering federal politics Merrifield also was elected as school trustee on the Whitecourt and Northern Gateway School Districts as well as a Woodlands County Councilor. He also served as chair and vice-chair on the WhitecourtFox Creek Hospital Board and was a member of the Aspen Regional Health Authority.
