Alberta’s motto, fortis et liber — strong and free — could not be more apropos as we stand face-forward into all that’s coming at us. Alberta is on the ropes against more than a few challenges. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, a haymaker from the Saudis and Russians was planted firmly on our chin. Their decision to ramp up oil production means a glut of oil on the market. Over supply causes prices to tank and our energy-dependent economy takes a hit. Add this to the long list including blockades, a global virus, and a string of damaging policies from Ottawa, and we wonder which way is up. Bloodied but not beaten, Alberta will survive. And not only survive but prosper yet again. Here are three reasons why.
Number one: Alberta’s best resource is our people, not the oil and gas that lies underground. I had the privilege of hosting an economic forum recently sponsored by Durum Capital. On the panel was Joe Lougheed, son of the late and great Peter Lougheed. In the room were investors who have been through this before. Albertans are the workers, the makers, the fixers, and the innovators. They know what the world forgets: Albertans are resilient. Alberta was built by people who knew how to tackle the big jobs. We are talking about the salt-of-the-earth-Albertans-who-have-been-knocked-down-got-back-up-stared-failure-in-the-face-and-said-you-got-anymore? That kind of resilience. The people of Alberta are tough, bank on it.
Number two: For Albertans, this is nothing new. As panelist Jay Simmons so thoughtfully pointed out at the economic forum, we have indeed lived through this fight before. It was a different Trudeau and a different decade but the intent and result is the same. They batter and bruise the West and stack policies against Alberta. Others thrive on the innovation and hard work of Alberta’s oil and gas industry, but evidently could not care less about us. Canadians do appreciate Alberta’s resolve, after all, it’s this grit that pays for the social programs in most Eastern provinces. We know how to work and innovate, but we also know how to fight back as Peter Lougheed did against the infamous National Energy Program. It is this resolve that will overcome the malaise in Ottawa. The Corona Virus may be a global epidemic, but there is a disease of leadership in this country that must be stopped. Albertans have been in the ring. We have the scars. We are not pretenders and we know what it takes to persevere.
Number Three: Alberta is a province of entrepreneurs. We need governments at all levels: federal, provincial and municipal — to get out of the way and let job creating entrepreneurs come forward with ideas and innovation that will move us forward. The provincial government started a red tape ministry to deal with excessive government. It all sounded so good and could be good, but what has it done? There still exists multiple layers of regulation and government oversight, such as the stifling 4th layer of government in the Calgary region called the CMRB (Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board) that has a choke hold on local economic development and investment. This crew played a major role in turning away a four billion dollar investment that just left for Texas. This anti-competitive, investment killing, NDP mandated central planning board is one example of government that has got to go. If Albertans are going to get off the ropes and come back, governments must untie our hands so we can fight like we have in the past. Albertans have the ability and wherewithal to tackle our biggest challenges, but governments at all levels need to get out of the way.
Politicians know how to pile on debt to solve a challenge, but Albertans know how to take risks, build businesses, care for each other, and build the future we need.
Just step back and give Albertans space to work. It’s the people of Alberta, strong in resolve, and free to innovate, who will rise again. We’ve done it before, and we will do it again. You can bank on it.
Oh, and one last thing, our Minister of Red-Tape Reduction was given a pair of scissors, let’s politely encourage him to put them to work.
by Bruce McAllister
Executive Director Rocky View 2020 & President Right Angle Communications & Consulting. Advocating for common sense, free enterprise Albertans.
