Drew Barnes

Drew Barnes
MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat
Assumed office
2012
Preceded by Len Mitzel
Personal details
Born (1961-05-21) May 21, 1961
Moosomin, Saskatchewan
Political party Wildrose Party
Spouse(s) Frances
Children 3
Residence Medicine Hat
Education University of Alberta, Bachelor of Commerce
Occupation MLA, Rancher, Businessman
Website www.drewbarnes4wildrose.com

Drew Barnes (born May 21, 1961) is a Canadian politician who is an elected member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta representing the electoral district of Cypress-Medicine Hat.[1][2] He was born in Moosomin, Saskatchewan.[3][4] Currently (2015) he is the Finance, Education & Advanced Education, and Human Services Critic. He also acts as Caucus Whip. In the past he has been the Infrastructure and Transportation Critic for the Wildrose Official Opposition. He has served on the Standing Committees of the Alberta Heritage Trust Fund, Public Accounts, Resource Stewardship and Private Bills. He authored two reports, ("How to Build Alberta Better" and "On Time, On Budget", and co-authored "Twin Highway 63 Now" and "Debt Free Capital Plan".[5]

Career

Barnes has been a resident of Medicine Hat since 1974, where he lives with his wife Frances and three sons. He graduated from the University of Alberta in 1983, with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He previously attended Camrose Lutheran College. Barnes owned and managed a real estate office for 26 years until 2009. An entrepreneur and businessman, Barnes owns a number of businesses in Medicine Hat, including a construction company, a storage facility and a property management company. He also owns commercial and residential property all over southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan and has irrigation and ranchland, raising commercial beef and rodeo stock.[6] Barnes has been an active community volunteer with Kiwanis Club, serving as past president, and was past President and also Fundraising Chair of the United Way.[7]

In August 2012, Barnes and a colleague went on a fact finding mission to Fort McMurray to learn more about the notoriously dangerous Highway 63.[8] They called on the government to release a timeline for the completion of twinning the highway.

In late February 2015, Barnes announced he would enter the race for leader of the Wildrose Party.[9] On March 28, 2015, Brian Jean was elected Wildrose leader.[10]

Electoral history

2012 general election

Alberta general election, 2012: Cypress-Medicine Hat
Party Candidate Votes%
WildroseDrew Barnes 7,098 53.60%
Progressive ConservativeLen Mitzel 4,738 35.78%
LiberalJon Mastel 770 5.81%
New DemocraticManuel Martinez 637 4.81%
Total 13,243
Rejected, spoiled and declined 127
Eligible electors 26,199

2015 general election

Alberta general election, 2015
Party Candidate Votes%
WildroseDrew Barnes 8,523 54.5%
Progressive ConservativeBob Olson 3,375 21.6%
New DemocraticBev Waege 3,233 20.7%
LiberalEric Musekamp 496 3.2%
Total
Rejected, spoiled and declined
Eligible electors

References


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