- Long history of public service including significant experience with health policy at the local, provincial and federal level.
- Nearly 20 years of service on the Whitecourt-Fox Creek Hospital Board and Aspen Regional Health Authority.
- 2000 – 2014 served as the Federal Representative (Member of Parliament).
- 2000 – 2006 served as Senior Health Critic and chaired the House of Commons Health Standing Committee.
- During time in Parliament, also chaired the Standing Committee of Finance and International Trade.
- Appointed to Cabinet in 2008 as Minister of State Transport and Infrastructure.
- Served on the Treasury Board of Canada and was a member of the Board of Internal Economy (governing Body of the House of Commons).
- 2012 was given a mandate by Prime Minister Harper to engage the United States Congress on issues relevant to the Canadian interests.
- After 14 years in Parliament, was appointed as Alberta’s Representative in Washington, DC.
Merrifield was raised on a dairy farm outside of Whitecourt, Alberta. After meeting his wife Brenda at College, he took over the family farm and has since passed the farm’s operations on to his son, Chad. However, he still finds time during the harvest season to hop on a combine and lend a hand. The Merrifields enjoy spending time with their two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.