Canada – What Could Have Been or What Can It Be?

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to broach this topic, but given the number of questions I’ve been receiving in the constituency, out on the road, and when I’m speaking with folks that are visiting, I felt compelled this morning. The federal election is on the 28th of April. Advance polls had record numbers, which is good because people care. My frustration is how much of the lead-up to the election, and much of the early discussion, was all about what President Trump was doing, not what we have been doing as a country for the last 10 years.

Carney is heading toward a cliff that no one could tolerate

I think there was one thing that became abundantly clear: the liberal leadership under Justin Trudeau was heading us toward a cliff that no one could tolerate. It was very clear when the Deputy PM threw him unceremoniously under the bus in public, which showed even the most faithful had a belly full of Mr. Sunny Ways. It was also abundantly clear that there was a scramble for a safe way to hold a coronation within the liberal party. Pinocchio believed he was a real PM, and the handlers and advisors knew if they were going to keep their agenda going, one had to step up and into the sunlight. Enter the Carney.

Here we are, forgetting that Carney was one of the top advisors to Justin, and he didn’t do that through official government channels for most of it; that was done through the party itself, to the leader of the party…in the shadows. Reading Carney’s manifesto, his book called “Values”, makes it very clear what his plan is for Canada, and those who would fall under his “Leadership”. It pains me to hear people say that was then, and this is now. he had a change of heart within the month leading up to the election. Heck, he even “Got Rid” of the consumer carbon tax.

Or do we want unleash Canada’s true potential?!

The other path, well, it’s going to be painful for some, uncomfortable for the short term, but also inspiring. Let’s unleash Canada’s potential again and work as a country that is better than before, with fewer east/west divides. More collaboration, access to foreign markets, responsible development, and empowerment of the individual and family. More self-reliance, less government dependence and interference, less taxation, more choice, more freedom.

This is the vision I share with folks abroad; this is what I see not only for Alberta and North Western Canada but also for all of Canada. I see economic corridors that are not only recognized but protected, that help build our nation, like the railroad did back in the day. I see us not just hovering around the 49th parallel, but expanding northward, being a real northern nation with a thriving arctic presence. I see so much opportunity due to the resources we have, the innovations, and, quite frankly, the doors that open up to us when we present ourselves as “that place, the True North, Strong, and Free”.

How do I know? I shared this vision with the Ambassadors of Norway and Finland recently. They believed the same, they want to be part of a group I’m putting together to collaborate on the Arctic / Nordic nations. I was engaged with three separate delegations from Germany, and the same story. I met with the Ambassador of Albania and got the same response. I went on a personal trip to India. I had meetings with the Secretary of Energy, numerous executives and managers in energy companies, engineering companies, paper companies, aviation companies, property developers, and even film studios—same story. Numerous USA capital visits and US delegations, as recent as last week, visit us here. It’s the same story.

As a country, we have been led down a garden path chasing butterflies and fairy tales by groups tapping into our conscientious and caring Canadian values. The whole time, they were literally robbing the treasury. Where is our gold reserve today? It’s gone. Who holds the debts? Where did all the money go? Did the weather change? What underpins the value of our currency?

Last, but not in the least

I want to remain optimistic, believe in my fellow Canadians and our system, and believe it hasn’t been hijacked, and it’s not too late. I want to think that folks will be bold enough to break away from the empty promises, accept reality, that it will take some real, honest-to-goodness teamwork and effort to turn this thing around, and be that strong, independent, well-respected nation again. I want to be in that place of preference to make a good life, where hard work pays off. In short, I’d sure like the Alberta Spirit to spread to the other parts of the country.

I want this country to realize its full potential, and I want you, your kids, and your grandkids to remember that time we turned it around. We learned our lesson, and that flirting with all that “Sunny Ways, free stuff” was not what the country needed. So, regardless of what happens on the 28th, I’ll keep gathering a coalition of the willing, across the country, and beyond our shores to build those relationships and those economic corridors. It’s something that spans electoral cycles, it’s a nation builder, it’s intergenerational, and it’s a path for what can be.

Stay strong, Stay Free, Stay Safe. And I’ll continue to care about “what matters to you”!

Sincerely,

Shane Getson