Peace River MLA Dan Williams says this past year was one of “ups and downs”.
The region was affected by fires in the spring during the provincial election, but Williams says people were able to pull through it.
“Working closely with the Little Red River Cree First Nation has been massively important. Even though it’s on reserve and primarily a federal responsibility, we work very closely with that community. Rainbow Lake of course and Chateh, not just with fires but also floods. It was really unfortunate that it happened in the middle of an election as I wasn’t there in a government capacity to help.”
That election saw Williams re-elected as MLA in a UCP majority government, and Williams was named as the Minister for Mental Health and Addictions.
Since being named to cabinet, he says there’s already been one bill he’s been able get through the legislature.
“Bill 3, the Opioid Cost Recovery Amendment Act, allows us to hold those who are responsible for the crisis produced through opioid addiction in the pharmaceutical industry. We’re joining the class action lawsuit, hoping to recuperate hundreds of millions that our government has paid out in health care services because of that deadly disease of addiction.”
Williams says at some point in the “near future”, he will be introducing the government’s planned “compassionate intervention legislation”.
You can listen to the full interview below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
