Mayor Jeff Genung will have the opportunity to put a face to Cochrane with the newly-elected members of the UCP government when attending the Speech from the Throne, May 22.

Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie has invited Genung to attend the speech being made by Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell that will outline the government's priorities for the upcoming session of the Legislative Assembly. The speech will give Albertans their first true taste of Alberta under Premier Jason Kenney.

Genung says he appreciates the invitation from Guthrie.

"I was pleasantly surprised," says Genung. "This is of his character so I'm not surprised that he would offer, but I didn't realize there was even an opportunity to attend. I'm very gratified that he would reach out. He probably only gets a few tickets so I'm happy that he chose me. I think it just proves his willingness to work together."

"I'm quite interested in the process and excited to be involved and to get my face in front of all the new ministers and the MLAs."

Genung was the first to shake Guthrie's hand on election night when he was declared elected on Apr. 16. The two have since met on a few occasions. Consulting with officials in the constituency was made a clear priority from the get-go by Guthrie, who also recently met with Airdrie town council.

This will be Genung's first opportunity to be in the Legislative Assembly for the Throne Speech but not his first time meeting the Lt.-Governor. Mitchell and Genung unveiled the new community cenotaph in November 2017.

"I hope to get a chance to chat with her again," he says.

Genung says he doesn't believe the opportunity will arise, but he's ready to speak on Cochrane priorities that involve the Alberta government. The top three are the continued push for the Hwy. 1A-Hwy. 22, water licencing and access to provincial land for the new downtown at-grade crossing.

Funding for the construction of the interchange was expected to be included in a spring budget that was never tabled by the Notley Government and the new UCP government doesn't expect to finalize their first budget until the fall.

Access to additional water licencing is the number one topic of discussion for municipalities included in the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board. Cochrane has plans that would see the town grow to over 57,000 people within the next 23 years. Currently, its water licence would sustain a population of about 40,000.

The town will also need to cross Crown Land to complete the new pathway that will connect Railway St. to 1st St. W.