As MLA, I feel like my calendar has two seasons: in the legislature and in the constituency. Summer is the best time for me and my team to reconnect with you. You may have already met my two summer outreach interns, Cael and Lucas, who are helping with that. If you haven’t already seen me or one of my staff at a community event, on your doorstep, or around town you likely will soon. Thank you for all the chats, comments, thoughts, and ideas. Each of these conversations reminds me how diverse our riding is from community to community, door to door, and event to event. The people of Banff-Kananaskis cover the political spectrum, age groups, employment sectors, demographics, and interests.
This diversity can sometimes make my job challenging. How can one person represent such diverse views and perspectives effectively? It’s not easy and I try my best to listen to you all and consider the things that bind us together.
I have always felt that our common ground stems from a love of the Banff-Kananaskis landscape and a very intentional choice to live where you live. Whether you like looking at the foothills through your kitchen window, running a cattle ranch or organic farm, spending your weekend recreating in our woods, or running a small business that serves residents and tourists alike – we all love the communities we live in and the landscape that surrounds us.
Reflecting on this diversity, it strikes me how sometimes two things can be true. We can oppose coal mining on the eastern slopes, AND welcome industrial practices on the landscape that respect our water, communities, and wildlife. We can support tourism and the economic benefits it brings AND expect that tourism to be planned and managed in a way that retains our community identity and is environmentally sustainable. We can expect the government to fund public programs adequately, like healthcare and education, AND not run a deficit budget. We can be fiscally responsible AND fund public programs so that all Albertans can thrive and have access to the things they need.
We can be proud Albertans and proud Canadians.
Two things can be true.
At the doors and at events, I’m hearing from you that you want a strong, prosperous economy for all of us to thrive. You are asking me about access to healthcare, education funding so all our kids have access to the same high quality learning opportunities, protecting our headwaters from coal mining, improving tourism management, and addressing affordability for insurance, groceries, gas, and rent. I hear you. Things are hard right now and many of you are struggling to balance it all.
I believe that we have a better chance of achieving these things when we work together with other provinces to reduce inter- provincial trade barriers and promote buying local. Negotiating to get a “better deal” for Alberta doesn’t start with another round of “Alberta Next” (or whatever it’s called this time) panel discussions across the province. It starts with coming to the table with a willingness to work with other provinces and the federal government to make sure that Alberta’s contributions are appreciated and recognized, just as all provinces would like to see. From there, we can create policies that help float all Canadian provinces to build a stronger country and province. Collaborating, openness, and strategic negotiations are critical to our success.
Fighting for a Canada we are proud of means our province can have a brighter future. The growing separatist sentiment in Alberta is difficult for me to process. Yet, I believe it is emblematic of deeper issues. Issues that we stand to solve by working together, not trying to stand apart.
Albertans have repeatedly shown that they don’t want to separate. I hear time and again that the thing people wish most was that there was less division in politics. That we could all work together. I value that too. I work collaboratively across the aisle whenever I can. Because my priority is serving you, regardless of where you ticked your “x” in the last election.
I am hearing that you want a government that brings people together, creates ties and builds strength from our differences, and defends Canada. We are better together!
This is going to be a great summer for listening. I look forward to chatting with you more over the rest of the summer to learn what’s important to you. Whether we meet at your door, at a town hall, a BBQ, or a parade – let’s chat, let’s learn from each other, and share ideas. Let’s work together to define the Alberta and Canada we want to see now and into the future.
Sarah Elmeligi
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