2020 is going to be Alberta’s decade.
2019 was a year of transformative change. Albertans undisputedly acknowledged that the trajectory our province was on was not a healthy one, and they demanded change. Over the course of that year, our Government did our best to swiftly implement policies that would remove the punitive carbon tax, incentivize Alberta-based job creation through lowered taxes and eased labour regulations, create a freer society through the reduction of red tape, balance our finances, and strengthen Alberta’s position within the federation.
Results of these legislative changes have not, and will not, be realized overnight. There is absolutely no denying the hardships that still face our province. There are still thousands of Albertans out of work, and thousands more who are underemployed. There are still families declaring bankruptcy every day, and businesses declaring insolvency. Our government is ever aware of the struggles that many are facing, but as we look to the year and the decade ahead, positive developments from the end of 2019 can hopefully project a refreshing year ahead.
Construction has begun on the Trans Mountain pipeline, and work is expected to push through British Columbia to tidewater by Spring of this year. The Canadian portion of Line 3 has been commissioned, which should nearly double oil shipments to over 500,000 barrels once the backlog from the recent CN strike is cleared. Our Fair Deal Panel will soon be releasing our list of implementable recommendations for increased provincial autonomy and treatment. CNRL has announced that they will be increasing their capital expenditure by $250 million for 60 new exploratory wells and to create 1,000 jobs – directly citing newly lowered taxes as their incentive for doing so. And banks all across the country are resoundingly predicting that Alberta will lead the country in economic growth this year.
While recent years have been difficult – if not absolutely devastating – for hundreds of thousands of Albertans, the downward trajectory of our province is slowly beginning to turn around. This journey of revitalization is one we are all on together as we endeavour to rebuild a province where our older generations can comfortably retire, where our working population can live and raise families, and where our younger generations can envision a hopeful and promising future. Together, we must rebuild the Alberta where the only limitations to your success are the scope of your own dreams.
Navigating these past few years has undoubtedly been difficult for most of us, but I am feeling optimistic for the year ahead, and I hope that you are too. Happy New Year!
By Miranda Rosin, MLA
