Prince Rupert's Global gateway could have a champion in Alberta MLA

Newly appointed Alberta Cabinet Minister
Tracy Allard has some ties to the Prince Rupert area

The Port of Prince Rupert has long been thought of by Albertans as Alberta's port and with some recent changes in the Alberta government;  an MLA with some ties to Prince Rupert has moved into the top tier of political influencers in the Alberta government.

A move in that province that could continue to raise the profile of the city and its port facilities, with someone in place around the cabinet table with some familiarity with the Port and Prince Rupert.

The cabinet shuffle in late August saw Premier Jason Kenney appoint Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard into cabinet, assigning her the ministry of Municipal affairs and a focus point to work with municipalities in that province to help rebuild the economy.

The United Conservative Party MLA was elected to the Alberta Legislature back in 2019 and came into politics with a background in business, which included a Tim Horton's franchise in Prince Rupert. 

That a business opportunity that more than likely has given her some insight into the importance of the Port to the Alberta economy, as well as the views from the local scene that she may have found from her time on the North Coast.

Her focus on municipal affairs may also be of some note for Prince Rupert civic officials as well as MLA Jennifer Rice, who might want to keep an eye on how the Alberta government and municipal governments move forward through COVID-19 challenges.