One of the region's most familiar political faces will soon be out of the limelight. Livingstone-Macleod MLA Pat Stier announced today he will not seek re-election in 2019.
One of the region's most familiar political faces will soon be out of the limelight.
Livingstone-Macleod MLA Pat Stier announced today he will not seek re-election in 2019. With his 65th birthday approaching next year, he's ready to slow down and enjoy retirement.
"It's a job that entails an awful lot of hours," he said of his political career. "I put on 50,000 to 60,000 kilometres a year in the job alone. Due to the size of the riding and the amount of time I've put into the past six years I couldn't see another four years after 2019 being in the cards."
Stier will be remembered by many in his constituency for standing by his party in 2014 when many Wildrose MLAs crossed the floor to the Progressive Conservative Party.
"There were only five of us in caucus," he said. "We weren't sure just how things would work out. As soon as Brian Jean (former Wildrose leader) came along there was a definite turn. That stands out in my mind as indicating to us that Wildrose was still a very popular party and a very well-received way to go as far as conservatism is going in Alberta."
Stier grew up on a DeWinton farm and then spent 25 years in the oil and gas industry in Calgary.
In the 1980s, he entered the municipal world and began dedicating his life to public service.
In recent years, Stier served as a councillor for the MD of Foothills from 2004-2007 and defeated PC candidate Evan Berger in both the 2012 and 2015 elections as the constituency's MLA.
Looking back at his political career, Stier said there were some disappointments.
"I'm terribly disappointed I was not able to have a solid impact in changing the rural ambulance system," he said. "I've been fighting that for six years and it still continues to be a problem. I'm certainly hopeful that something can be done.
"I know that we'll still be carrying that charge with the UCP when they become elected in the next election. People depend on emergency services and the rural emergency services in Alberta still has a lot of faults."
With the next election a year away, Stier said the future looks bright with Jason Kenney at the helm of the United Conservative Party (UCP) that was established last summer as a merger between the Progressive Conservative Association and Wildrose Party.
"We're certainly moving forward at a tremendous rate with the combined party," Stier said. "I'm happy to be involved in the unity-merging discussions that laid the groundwork for that."
Earlier today, Kenney announced four UCP MLAs won't be seeking re-election, naming Stier, Wayne Drysdale, David Schneider and Scott Cyr, and thanked them for their contributions.
"They are devoted public servants who stand up for their constituents," he was quoted in a press release by the UCP. "Few opportunities can rival the distinct honour of being chosen to represent constituents at the Alberta Legislature."
Kenney wrote that Stier embodies many aspects that make Alberta great - his role as a rancher, farmer, oil and gas worker and devotion to serving his community municipally and provincially. He also stood by his party during difficult times, he wrote.
"Together they leave a proud legacy as founding members of our growing party and each played a critical role in a unity process that brings us ever closer to fulfilling our promise to renew the Alberta Advantage," he wrote of the outgoing MLAs.
With his retirement just a year away, Stier admits he's a little nervous.
"It's going to be a change for sure," he said. "Working since I was 17 years old, the word retirement is a little bit scary at this moment. We'll see what the better life has to offer."
Stier's retirement plans include keeping an eye out for part-time opportunities in the oil and gas industry and catching up on work around his farm.
"I'm looking forward to a more relaxed atmosphere where I can still be at home at night," he said. "There's almost four and a half acres of mowing and I have my collector cars and other things at home that I'm constantly repairing and fixing, and maintaining my property."
Stier also plans to spend more time at his Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C. property.
While he's looking forward to his retirement, Stier said he will miss the friends he's made across the province.
