What Matters to You – Fortress North America – Update on Economic Corridors

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The first time I heard this, I believe, was back in 2010 when a retired USA Air Force Colonel discussed how the military regarded Alberta regarding energy security. I’ve taken that concept and expanded upon it as a way to present the concept of Economic Corridors not only to folks who call the Great White North home but also to our friends, family, and neighbors in the land of the free. Given the current global state of affairs, we have gone from a just-in-time delivery model to more of a just-in-case model. Further, the discussion on resilience, adaptability and “Radical Collaboration” has never been more relevant. In simple terms, build things that last, work together like there is a real need to do so, and make sure we use the stuff we have at hand rather than depend on others for our survival. Rural logic, applied on a large scale.

My role

In my role as the “Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Corridor Development”, I am the Premier’s Parliamentary Secretary. Along with being the Premier, she is also the Minister of “inter-governmental affairs”, so I have an opportunity, as it were, to assist in that role, and she has given me a ton of rope to work with. Additionally, I’ve been assigned to represent Alberta’s interests to several US / Canadian organizations. Organizations I would suggest that we have not fully taken advantage of in the past and have not had the representation by MLA’s that we should have. We are changing that.

The History of the Energy Council?

As members of the “Energy Council,” Alberta and Saskatchewan are the only Canadian members, and the rest are energy-producing states.

The Energy Council is a non-partisan legislative organization founded in 1975. The original five member states (Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico) were located within the same region, and the group was initially known as the Southwest Regional Energy Council.

The organization was formed to provide a forum for state legislators interested in energy policy. Today the member states number fourteen, including West Virginia, Mississippi and Alabama to the East and Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and Alaska to the West. It allows legislative policymakers to maintain a dialogue and learn more about energy issues of importance to their states, citizens, environment and revenue base. In recognition of the continental nature of energy markets, the Council has welcomed the Canadian Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well.

For energy producing states and provinces, a better understanding of energy markets, technology and policy, as well as related environmental concerns, benefits lawmakers and their constituents. The Energy Council is a proven resource for developing energy policy leadership.

In my role as the “Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Corridor Development”, I am the Premier’s Parliamentary Secretary. Along with being the Premier, she is also the Minister of “inter-governmental affairs”, so I have an opportunity, as it were, to assist in that role, and she has given me a ton of rope to work with. Additionally, I’ve been assigned to represent Alberta’s interests to several US / Canadian organizations. Organizations I would suggest that we have not fully taken advantage of in the past and have not had the representation by MLA’s that we should have. We are changing that.

Source: The Energy Council website

Several small US legislators and groups from the Council of State Governments and the Mid-West and West chapters visited us in May of this year. These groups came independently of each other but left with similar impressions. They invited me to come to their executive meetings to present at their annual general meetings on the topic of economic corridors. I recently returned from Portland, Oregon, where I presented the concept and the practical applications of the how. I am leaving for Columbus, Ohio, to attend the weekend Midwest meeting. Regardless of their party, my colleagues across the border are keen to hear more and see how they can work with us.

The Western Provinces MOU (memorandum of understanding) expands

Our Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors not only re-signed an MOU with the prairie provinces, but we also added the Northwest Territories right before the Calgary Stampede. The significance of this is huge; it clearly demonstrates the willingness of the provinces and territories to work together in building the Northwest part of our country, not only trade relationships but real pathways so that linear infrastructure can be built again in a timely manner.

Stronger US Ties

During the Calgary Stampede, the Minister hosted an event where the Ambassador of the USA and our Premier spoke, both extolling the importance of the economic corridors that have been in use for years, new ones to come, and the vital importance Alberta not only plays in Canada, but most specifically, to the US itself. These were not hollow words from the USA Ambassador, but from the heart, and with a clear understanding of the need to ensure that “Fortress North America” comes to fruition.

I was quite pleased when the ambassador approached me to introduce himself. He gave me his challenge coin, shook my hand, and thanked me for the work on the Economic Corridor file.
As it turned out, we were at the same table for breakfast the following day and continued our conversation. I gave him one of my lapel pins and explained the symbolism that I had chosen. Black and Gold in color for our energy, our provincial shield depicts the prairie, foothills, and mountains. The rams’ head, as it’s our provincial mammal, and after all, they like us, sometimes but heads to resolve our differences. Two crossed swords, one to protect our province, but just as important, one to protect our country and our allies. He was openly appreciative and began speaking about how many things Alberta has to offer. He said that we need to be better at letting others know about it, so don’t be afraid to say it often. He then gave me his trade mission lapel pin and some more advice on items I should address and discuss at my upcoming conference in Oregon.

When folks ask me what is going on with the Northern Corridor, or the one out to Hudson Bay, or the West Coast, they are always happy to hear the progress being made, but they are also surprised that there isn’t anything about it in the media. I have no good explanation about that other than they don’t get it or don’t want to get it. So, I thought I’d use this local paper to share some of the recent wins. I’ll keep spreading the good word about what we have going on here in Alberta, how we want it to work with others most collaboratively, and how we want to lay the foundations for a strong future for ourselves and our trading partners.

Our experiences and resources are literally the solution to several problems and challenges. I have noted that if we don’t tell our story ourselves, our own federal consulates will not, and our trading partners won’t hear it. Perhaps that is what the US ambassador was eluding to as well.

Last, but not in the least

When I spoke at the recent grade 12 graduations in Evansburg and Onoway, I wanted to impart some advice to the graduation classes. Nothing too fancy, lofty, or lengthy, something that they could remember. For good measure, my staff this year printed some of the sager items I’ve come up with over the years on the back of the certificates, and I truly hope that they may come in handy for them, as they have helped me over the years. The basic gist goes like this. Know who you are, where you came from, and who truly supports you and wants the best for you. Be proud of who you are, listen more than you talk, and be willing to come up with a better solution by working with others. Be yourself because you can’t fake authenticity, and people know it. Don’t be afraid to speak up, and do the right thing. It may not be easy, but it’s the right thing to do. Keep in mind always, if it was easy, someone else would be doing it, and for less money, everyone gets bucked off, so suck it up, buttercup, dust yourself off and get back at it. The most important one is that none of us have this thing called life all figured out yet, but many of us are more than willing to give you some time to help you when you ask for it.
I wish you nothing but the best for the rest of your week. Thank you for your feedback over the last few months, both in person and through emails. Please keep me apprised of what matters to you.

And I’ll, also, keep caring about “what matters to you”!

Sincerely,

Shane Getson