Overview
- Nathan Cooper, Alberta’s Speaker since 2019, will step down to become the province’s representative to the United States.
- Premier Danielle Smith announced the appointment, citing heightened trade tensions and tariff threats from the Trump administration.
- Cooper will officially resign as Speaker on Monday, with MLAs electing his successor the following day.
- His departure creates a vacancy in the rural riding of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, triggering a by-election in the coming months.
- Cooper, who has no cabinet or international affairs experience, described his tenure as Speaker as preparation for his new diplomatic role.