What Matters to You: What’s Next?

In case you missed it, we have a new Prime Minister in Ottawa—and his first name is not Pierre. Like many of you, I was hoping for more than just a change in leadership; I was looking for a fundamental shift in policy and direction for our country. Clearly, I wasn’t alone. The regions that voted blue sent a strong message: they were seeking relief from the “sunny ways” and promises of “self-balancing budgets.”

Some speculate that NDP loyalists shifted their support to the Liberals en masse. It’s hard to disagree, considering the party once led by Jack Layton lost official party status under Jagmeet Singh. After propping up a minority government for years, the lines between the NDP and Liberals became blurred in the eyes of many voters. To add to the confusion, several NDP figures openly endorsed Liberal candidates.

The Conservatives gained 40 seats—numbers that would have secured a government in the past. But in 2025, that’s no longer the case. We’re seeing a consolidation of the political spectrum: what used to be center-left and left has merged, while the far left has nearly vanished, holding just seven seats. The center-right and right remain solid, and the Quebec separatist party has also lost ground. Canada appears to be evolving into a de facto two-party system, with divisions increasingly aligned along transfer payment lines.

So,  what’s next?

Regardless of which party formed government, we would always arrive at the same question: What’s next? What policies must change to allow Alberta—and the West more broadly—to grow? Please make no mistake: we’ve faced significant barriers over the past decade. Our Premier met with both federal leaders before the election, presenting the same nine priorities needed to reset the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa. One party was aligned from the start; the other, not so much. Now that the election is over, these priorities have been restated:

To reset this relationship, Prime Minister Carney must address the following within the first six months of his term:

• Guarantee Alberta full access to unfettered oil and gas corridors to the north, east, and west
• Repeal Bill C-69 (the “no new pipelines” act)
• Lift the tanker ban off the B.C. coast
• Eliminate the oil and gas emissions cap, which is effectively a production cap
• Scrap the Clean Electricity Regulations
• End the prohibition on single-use plastics
• Abandon the net-zero vehicle mandate
• Return oversight of the industrial carbon tax to the provinces
• Halt federal censorship of energy companies

In the weeks and months ahead:

• Albertans will have the opportunity to discuss our province’s future, explore options to protect ourselves from future federal overreach, and choose a path forward.
• We want to hear directly from you—what matters to you, and how we can implement meaningful strategies.
• Our government will lead this process with the sincere hope of securing a prosperous future for Alberta within a united Canada—one that respects our constitutional rights, enables resource development, and treats us as a valued partner in Confederation.

We will hold a special caucus meeting on May 2 to discuss these matters further. I’ve been receiving your calls and emails both before and after the federal election—please keep them coming. Your voices are being heard in the boardrooms where decisions are made.

Last, but not in the least

I strongly believe in nation-building. I believe we must establish corridors from Alberta to Hudson Bay, the Arctic, and the Pacific. This is essential for responsible development and long-term growth. Alberta has a critical role to play in building a resilient Northwest Canada—an integral part of Fortress North America.
We can do this. We must do this. And if the federal government won’t help, the least they can do is stop standing in the way. But we must also agree that we will no longer tolerate obstruction. We’ve seen what the last 10 years have brought, and we won’t accept more of the same for another four.
I hope you have a great week. Keep the faith, keep pushing forward, and know that I’ll continue doing everything I can to voice what matters to you.

Stay strong. Stay free.

Sincerely,

Shane Getson