Key Influencer – Grant Hunter – Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

Source: United Conservative Party of Alberta

Grant Hunter was sworn in as Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas on January 2, 2026, following the resignation of Rebecca Schulz. He represents the Taber-Warner constituency and has served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly since 2015.

Hunter was first elected under the Wildrose Party and joined the United Conservative Party following the 2017 merger. Since entering the legislature, he has held a range of caucus and government roles. In opposition, these included Shadow Minister portfolios covering labour, transportation, and skills training, as well as Deputy Whip. After the UCP formed government in 2019, he served as Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction from 2019 to 2021. He later held roles as Parliamentary Secretary for Agrifood Development from 2023 to 2024, Associate Minister of Water from 2025 to 2026, and Chief Government Whip prior to his current appointment.

Hunter’s professional background includes more than 20 years as an owner and operator of a commercial and residential construction company. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration. He resides in Taber, Alberta, and is involved in local community organizations, including service clubs.

As Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Hunter assumes responsibility for files related to water management, environmental regulation, land stewardship, and protected areas. Early priorities identified by the ministry include safeguarding Alberta’s irrigation system, implementing the province’s updated water transfer framework, and overseeing the monitoring and implementation of revised tailings pond policies.

The ministry plays a central role in balancing environmental regulation with industrial, agricultural, and municipal activity across the province. Hunter’s prior roles in water policy and regulatory oversight place him in a position to manage continuity across these files as the department advances existing legislative and regulatory frameworks.