New municipal affairs minister looks to soothe rural Alberta

It may have been the first cabinet swearing-in ceremony where a new minister was lauded for his “stunning beard,” at least since the dawn of colour photography.

At the ceremony Jan. 19 that brought Shaye Anderson into cabinet, Premier Rachel Notley made two things clear: one, that she was personally impressed with her new municipal affairs minister’s facial hair, and two, that she was hoping he would work some miracles in rural Alberta.

“He is a people person through and through and will become wellknown to our rural communities and municipal leaders in a very short time,” said Notley.

“Like the old saying goes, with great beard comes unquestionable rural knowledge,” said Michael Yargeau, a town councillor from Penhold, in a tongue-in-cheek tweet. Another Twitter user wondered if Anderson stayed fit by chopping wood at a secluded cabin.

The jokes were good-natured, but the NDP’s problems in rural Alberta are serious.

The government saw hundreds of Albertans protesting its farm safety bill on the steps of the legislature last year and the carbon tax, which is unpopular everywhere, according to the Citizen Society Research Lab at Lethbridge College, is especially unpopular outside the province’s two biggest cities. It’s a similar story with the planned phase-out of coal plants by 2030.

Anderson, who sees himself as a communicator and peacemaker, may be the government’s best hope at turning that attitude around. Jessica Littlewood, the MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville and a colleague of Anderson’s, says it’s important to have people in cabinet who understand rural life.

“Shaye knows how to come from an honest place when he talks to people. But he doesn’t necessarily hold back. It’s not like he’ll just tell you what you want to hear,” says Littlewood.

Anderson has a similar style to the previous minister, Danielle Larivee, who doesn’t just speak in talking points, says Littlewood.

The new minister says his connection to rural life extends past the beard that so impressed the premier. He grew up on an eighthectare hobby farm near Duncan, B.C. and that’s the kind of place where he’s most comfortable.

“I grew up around all the hay and chickens and cows and horses and stuff. I feel really comfortable being out in smaller areas ... I really feel more natural out there,” Anderson said. His parents and extended family all lived on different parts of the property and it was among that large clan that he developed the skills that he carries into the municipal affairs portfolio. In his family, he was often the one playing peacemaker.

“It’s my nature. I’ve always been one of those people that people come to and I mediate and help. That’s who I am with my family. I’ve got a big family and I’m always the one in the middle,” says Anderson.

His mediating duties have grown from his family to his constituency of Leduc-Beaumont to an entire province’s worth of municipal leaders.

Anderson thinks his temperament suits the position.

“It’s really interesting to me to understand the difference from regions all around the province. I think that’s one of my strong suits. I like to listen and try to understand what’s going on,” he said.

Municipal affairs is a big ministry with a lot of complicated files, and Anderson will be getting some help at the beginning. Finance Minister Joe Ceci will be taking the lead on the city charters initiative, which could provide enhanced powers for Edmonton and Calgary. Notley said Larivee will be providing guidance, even as she shifts over to the newly formed children’s services ministry.

Larivee drew rave reviews for her performance during the Fort McMurray wildfires and Anderson said he was taking notes.