MP Mike Lake provides federal update

LEDUC -- Local MP Mike Lake appeared before Leduc City Council at this week's meeting. 

The Member of Parliament for Leduc-Wetaskiwin discussed various items such as ongoing initiatives, priorities, and his latest efforts in representing the local region in Ottawa. Lake was first elected as an MP in 2006 for the former riding of Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont and has spent nearly twenty years as an elected official. In his address to Leduc City Council, Lake discussed his efforts to ensure local voices continue to be heard in the House of Commons. 

"In terms of serving as the Member of Parliament for Leduc-Wetaskiwin, we continue to host roundtable meetings regularly -- our target is to host between 40 to 50 two-hour round tables per year," said Lake. "That's not something most other MPs do. It's something that we started doing about a year into my time as a Member of Parliament about 19 years ago. It's served us really well for helping me to have a handle on the priorities of constituents." 

Following last year's federal election, Lake was appointed as the new Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Wellness by Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. In addition to mental health, his work in this area broadly covers addictions and suicide prevention.

"On the mental health side, certainly everything today has a connection to mental health," said Lake. "I've had the good fortune in my roles around youth, sport, disability, and mental health to get to know some fairly prominent organizations in the country that are doing great things. We're working closely with the CEOs of organizations like Kids Help Phone, Jack.org, BGC Canada, Special Olympics, Rotaries, Lions Clubs, and so many of those organizations." 

Lake also touched on the matter of separatist sentiment in Alberta, saying that he, along with the Conservative Party of Canada, continues to prioritize hearing the concerns of local residents when it comes to Canadian federalism. 

"The two most important things I can do is make it known that I believe in Canada, and at the same time, make sure that my constituents' very valid and strong frustrations are heard," said Lake. "I am for a stronger Alberta within a united Canada. I think that as we see some of the instabilities dealt with, that we will see more unity."

Lake also suggested ways for Leduc and other surrounding communities to put themselves in the best possible position when it comes to applying for federal grant funding. This included working with neighbouring municipalities on shared priorities to create more voices advocating in the same direction.