# Jason Copping

Jason Copping ECA is a Canadian politician who was the minister of health for Alberta from September 21, 2021, to June 9, 2023. Elected in the 2019 Alberta general election to represent the electoral district of Calgary-Varsity, Copping is a member of the United Conservative Party (UCP). He previously was the labour and immigration minister from April 20, 2019, to September 21, 2021.

## Background

Before his election to the legislature, Copping worked in the transportation sector as a human resources and labour relations manager. He holds a Master of Industrial Relations (MIR) from Queen’s University and a master's degree in law with a specialization in labour and employment law from Osgoode Hall, York University. Copping also worked as a sessional instructor for several years at both the University of Calgary as well as the University of Lethbridge.

## Political career

Copping was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) following the 2019 election, representing the United Conservative Party. Copping served as minister of labour and immigration from 2019 to 2021, before he was named minister of health in 2021, swapping portfolios with Tyler Shandro, who then took over as labour minister.
On January 17, 2022, Copping announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
As a legislator, Copping has advanced several pieces of legislation as their sponsor. During his time as Minister of Health, he sponsored the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act which removed from the government the ability to strike down its master agreement with doctors. In addition, he also sponsored the Continuing Care Act which aimed to provide consistency of standards in supported living and long-term care settings.
In the 2023 Alberta general election, Copping was defeated by New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Luanne Metz.

## Electoral history

vte2023 Alberta general election: Calgary-Varsity :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Luanne Metz | 13,449 | 58.27 | +14.83 |
| | United Conservative | Jason Copping | 9,377 | 40.63 | -5.53 |
| | Wildrose Loyalty Coalition | Oaklan Davidsen | 141 | 0.61 | – |
| | Solidarity Movement | Kent Liang | 112 | 0.49 | – |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 23,079 | 98.96 | – |
| Rejected and declined | Rejected and declined | Rejected and declined | 243 | 1.04 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 23,322 | 70.65 |
| Eligible electors | Eligible electors | Eligible electors | 33,010 |
| | New Democratic gain from United Conservative | New Democratic gain from United Conservative | Swing | Swing | +10.18 |
| Source(s) Source: Elections Alberta |||||||
vte2019 Alberta general election: Calgary-Varsity :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | United Conservative | Jason Copping | 10,853 | 46.16 | +1.90 |
| | New Democratic | Anne McGrath | 10,215 | 43.44 | +3.29 |
| | Alberta Party | Beth Barberree | 1,687 | 7.17 | +6.05 |
| | Liberal | Ryan Campbell | 383 | 1.63 | -10.48 |
| | Green | Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes | 274 | 1.17 | -1.04 |
| | Independence | Chris McAndrew | 101 | 0.43 | New |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 23,513 | 99.89 |
| Rejected, spoiled and declined | Rejected, spoiled and declined | Rejected, spoiled and declined | 264 | 1.11 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 23,777 | 73.34 |
| Eligible electors | Eligible electors | Eligible electors | 32,422 |
| | United Conservative notional hold | United Conservative notional hold | Swing | Swing | -0.69 |
| Source(s) "2019 Provincial General Election Results". Elections Alberta. Retrieved 2019-04-30. |||||||
Alberta provincial government of Jason Kenney :
| Cabinet posts (2) |||
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Tyler Shandro | Minister of Health September 21, 2021 - | Incumbent |
| Christina Gray | Minister of Labour & Immigration April 30, 2019 – September 21, 2021 | Tyler Shandro |