Rick Wilson (Canadian politician)

Richard Wilson is a Canadian politician elected in the 2019 Alberta general election to represent the electoral district of Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin in the 30th Alberta Legislature.[1][2] On April 30, 2019, he was appointed to the Executive Council of Alberta as the Minister of Indigenous Relations. He was re-elected in the 2023 provincial election held on May 29.[3]

Rick Wilson
Minister of Indigenous Relations of Alberta
Assumed office
April 30, 2019
PremierJason Kenney, Danielle Smith
Preceded byRichard Feehan
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin
Assumed office
April 16, 2019
Preceded bynew district
Personal details
Born1957 or 1958 (age 65–66)
Political partyUnited Conservative Party
ResidenceWetaskiwin, Alberta
OccupationBusinessman

Before being elected as an MLA, Wilson served as a councillor for the County of Wetaskiwin as well as on the Wetaskiwin Regional Public School Board[4][5] He also owned and operated multiple businesses relating to construction and ranching. Him and his wife, Rose, live on their ranch which has been in his family for over 100 years. They have four children and seven grand children.[6]

As minister of Indigenous Relations, Wilson has sponsored 2 bills being Bill 57; Metis Settlements Amendment Act, as well as Bill 14; Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation Act.[6] Bill 14 Wilson says is “generating sustainable revenue streams for First Nations and Métis communities by removing barriers to investment capital for major projects” resulting in more than $400 million in major resource projects.[7]

Wilson has also often spoken about the need for more resources put into rural healthcare, with the province putting in $19.5 million into the Wetaskin Hospital and Care Centre.[8]

Electoral history edit

2023 general election edit

2023 Alberta general election: Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
United Conservative Rick Wilson 11,640 67.54 +3.42
New Democratic Katherine Swampy 4,801 27.86 +4.12
Independent Marie Rittenhouse 520 3.02
Green Justin Fuss 187 1.09 -0.20
Solidarity Movement Suzanne Jubb 86 0.50
Total 17,234 99.68
Rejected and declined 55 0.32
Turnout 17,289 58.01
Eligible voters 29,805
United Conservative hold Swing -0.35
Source(s)

2019 general election edit

2019 Alberta general election: Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
United Conservative Rick Wilson 12,796 64.12% 7.28%
New Democratic Bruce Hinkley 4,737 23.74% -17.77%
Alberta Party Sherry Greene 1,382 6.93%
Freedom Conservative David White 522 2.62%
Alberta Advantage Party Wesley Rea 263 1.32%
Green Desmond G. Bull 256 1.28%
Total 19,956
Rejected, spoiled and declined 90
Eligible electors / Turnout 28,948 69.25%
United Conservative pickup new district.
Source(s)
Source: "74 - Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin, 2019 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
Alberta provincial government of Jason Kenney
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
Richard Feehan Minister of Indigenous Relations
April 30, 2019–
Incumbent

References edit