The Middle Ground

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

October Vth, MMXVII

Hon. Dave Eggen, B. Ed., MLA, Minister of Education, New Democratic, Edmonton-Calder

Dear Dave:

I must admit that my great admiration for Karen Mcpherson, MLA, Independent, Calgary-Mackay-Nosehill 7 that she is a solid performer. Many of the New Democratic cabinet & caucus members are not. But you, Rachel, Sarah, Brian, Deron, Stephanie McLean and a few others are very effective. I did dash a note off to Karen once at her constituency office saying that I thought it was a shame that she wasn't in Her Majesty's Government's New Democratic cabinet. Her leaving to sit "Indy" status is certainly a great loss to her now former New Democratic colleagues including yourself.

My recommendation to Karen would that she try & reboot up the old federal PC/DRC coalition for the 19-22.75 remaining months of the life of this Alberta Legislative Assembly until the next provincial writ. So she sits still as an Independent but combines office and research budgets with Rick Fraser, MLA, Independent, Calgary-South East, Richard Starke, MLA, Progressive Conservative, Vermilion-Lloydminster, Greg Clark, MLA, Alberta Party, Calgary-Elbow, & David Swann, Liberal, Calgary Mountain View. In this way they can be recognized as an "official" coalition & thus would not need any extra funding. This would be a very good combined group to keep all sides of the Assembly accountable & none of the five members would be beholden to a party vote.

A Rather Independent Streak,

Rory

Source: Www.Assembly.Ab.Ca & The Calgary Herald, Reporter: James Wood.