The Village of Boyle played host to a pair of influential dinner guests last Thursday.
Jeff Johnson, the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater and Minister of Infrastructure, came for dinner at the Boyle Legion, and he brought a friend; Minister of Transportation Ray Danyluk.
The pair of politicians mingled with a sold-out crowd at the event, enjoying dinner and taking questions from those in attendance.
The event was also attended by two PC candidates from Fort McMurray.
With the spectre of a provincial election looming in the near future, the event provided the ministers and candidates a chance to speak to the concerns of their constituents and potentially drum up support before official campaigning begins.
The local MLA enjoyed the opportunity to meet with local residents and to introduce them to his colleague in the legislature.
“There’s a lot going on in the transportation minister’s file in our area, and particularly in Boyle,” noted Johnson, citing examples like the regional water line, the continuing work on Highway 63, and the paving of Highway 827.
“(Danyluk) brought good news on all those fronts.”
The ministers provided updates on a number of such projects. Johnson noted that Highway 827 is still being paved and that the twinning of Highway 63 is progressing as fast as possible. Funding has also been received for the completion of paving on the Al-Pac resource road.
For his part, Danyluk felt it was an enjoyable and productive evening.
“It was a great opportunity to have discussions with municipal councillors, individuals and businessmen,” said the minister.
Danyluk noted that he was impressed with the local residents who came to him with great questions and educated opinions.
“Number one, the individuals are very up to date with the issues in their areas,” he said.
“What was more gratifying is people talking about the attributes of their community, the positivity of where things are going and what’s happening.”
