Rob Merrifield

Robert Merrifield, PC, (born December 19, 1953) is a Canadian politician and diplomat. He is the former Member of Parliament for Yellowhead,[2] and was the Minister of State for Transport from October 2008 to May 2011.[3] In September 2014 he resigned as a Member of the Canadian House of Commons to accept an appointment from Alberta Premier Jim Prentice to be the province's envoy to the United States in Washington, D.C. where he will lobby for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.[4]

The Honourable

Robert Merrifield

PC
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Yellowhead
In office
November 27, 2000 – September 17, 2014
Preceded byCliff Breitkreuz
Succeeded byJim Eglinski
Chair of the Standing Committee on
International Trade
In office
June 23, 2011 – September 29, 2014
MinisterEd Fast
Preceded byLee Richardson
Succeeded byRandy Hoback
Chair of the Standing Committee on
Finance
In office
November 13, 2007 – February 2, 2009
MinisterJim Flaherty
Preceded byBrian Pallister
Succeeded byJames Rajotte
Chair of the Standing Committee on
Health
In office
May 4, 2006 – November 12, 2007
MinisterTony Clement
Preceded byBonnie Brown
Succeeded byJoy Smith
Personal details
Born (1953-12-19) December 19, 1953
Mayerthorpe, Alberta, Canada
Political partyCanadian Alliance (2000-2003), Conservative (2003-2014)
Spouse(s)Brenda Merrifield
ResidenceWhitecourt[1]
Professionbusinessman, farmer

His accomplishments included revitalizing Marine Atlantic with two new ferries,[5] initiating Canada Post's postal transformation, and overseeing the rollout of Transport Canada's Alberta and Saskatchewan infrastructure funds as a part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

Merrifield was first elected to represent Yellowhead in 2000.[6] He was re-elected in 2004, 2006, and 2008.[6] Merrifield resigned his seat on September 17, 2014 to accept an appointment from Alberta Premier Jim Prentice as the province's envoy to the United States.[7][8]

His past community involvement has included terms as chair and elected board member of the Whitecourt School District Board of Trustees, chair and vice-chair of the Whitecourt/Fox Creek Hospital Board, member of the Aspen Regional Health Authority, member of the Northern Gateway Regional Division No. 10 School Authority and elected member of the Woodland County Council.

References
  1. Brigette Jobin (September 17, 2008). "Meet your candidate — Rob Merrifield". Whitecourt Star. Sun Media Corporation. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  2. "Most MPs keep distance from Alberta Tory race". CBC.ca. November 30, 2006. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  3. Armstrong, Neal (May 25, 2010). "Euro seen heading for parity with dollar". The Province. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  4. "Prentice appoints Conservative MP as Alberta's envoy to U.S." Globe and Mail. September 17, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 5, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "History of Federal Ridings since 1867: YELLOWHEAD, Alberta (1976 - )". www2.parl.gc.ca. Parliament of Canada. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  7. "Federal Conservative party losing another MP. Rob #Merrifield quitting to take job as Alberta gov't rep to United States. #cdnpoli #abpoli". Twitter. CBC News Alerts. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  8. Wingrove, Josh (September 17, 2014). "Prentice to appoint Conservative MP as Alberta's envoy to U.S." The Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
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