Calgary MP Kent Hehr hailed as 'strong voice for Alberta' in Trudeau cabinet

Calgary-Centre MP Kent Hehrwas lauded as an inspirationand "strong voice for Alberta" after beingsworn in as Canada's minister of veterans affairs and associate minister of national defence one of two Albertans in Justin Trudeau'snew cabinet.

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Hehrwasone of twoLiberal MPs elected from Calgary in the Oct. 19 federal election, the first onesfrom the citysince 1968. Alawyer andpopular former AlbertaMLA, hedefeated incumbent Conservative MPJoanCrockattby just 906 votes in Calgary-Centre.

Hehrbubbled over with enthusiasm as he and other soon-to-be ministersarrived with TrudeauatRideau Hallin Ottawa this morning.

"Itis awesome, man. It is very cool to be here,"Hehrsaid."It's an honour to be here in Ottawa to be part of a national government and get to play a role that is meaningful to both me and the citizens of Calgary."

Later, he took a more official tone.

"I, KentHehr, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I shall be a true and faithful servant to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as a member of Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada,"Hehrsaid as he took the official oath insideRideauHall in Ottawa this morning.

'Astrong voice for Alberta'

His appointment was welcomed in his home town.

Hehrhas inspired so many for so long and will continue to bring his compassion and humanity to his newrole.- Mayor Naheed Nenshi

"[Hehr] has inspired so many for so long and will continue to bring his compassion and humanity to his new role," Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said in a release.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley sent out a statement congratulating Trudeau and his newly appointed cabinet ministers especially Hehr and Edmonton Liberal MP Amarjeet Sohi, who was tapped to be minister of infrastructure and communities minister.

"I'm confident you will be a strong voice for Alberta in the federal government," Notley said.

Even some prominent Conservatives joined the chorus of congrats.

JasonKenney, former defence minister and Conservative MP forCalgary Midnapore,tweeted:"Congratulations ...to fellowCalgarian@KentHehron his appointment as Minister of Veterans Affairs."

Alberta Conservative MP JohnBarlowalso tweeted that he looks forward to working withHehr.

A shooting in October 1991 leftHehra C5 quadriplegic. He was a22-year-old student planning to become a physical education teacher when he was shot while riding in a friend's car.

'Veterans Affairs has always been a land mine'

Rev.BetteMadaro, achaplain with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 285 in Calgary,saysHehrwill have his work cut out for him on the veterans file.

"Well, I'm glad we got a Calgary MP representing this area,'cause there's plenty of young veterans here as well as the older veterans that need help,"Madarosaid.

"I think that they need to do a lot more for post-traumatic stress disorder," she said.

Hehrfaces bigchallenges in his new job, according to Mount Royal University policy studies professor Duane Bratt.

"Veterans Affairs has always been a landmine, as it were," he said. "Julian Fantino handled it horribly."

Two other Liberals were elected in Alberta as part of the party's historic breakthrough in the province.

DarshanKangtookCalgary-Skyviewin a decisivevictory overConservative incumbentDevinderShoryand RandyBoissonnaultwon in Edmonton-Centre.

Brattadded thatTrudeau's decision to put twoof his four Alberta caucus members in cabinet should be viewedas a signal that he sees the province as important.