How Alberta’s Grassroots Diplomacy Fosters the Canada-US Relationships

It’s been quite a January! This article, I have attempted to write for the last 3 weeks, but either something changes, or I run out of time due to another fire that needs to be put out. I am writing this on my way to the Presidential Inauguration. I was invited by a friend of mine who is a Senator in Michigan. He was up in Alberta twice last year; we toured him around and let him see firsthand who we are and what we are all about. He’s an Alberta Fan and one of our best advocates south of the border!

A Brief Stop at Home

I was in Montana two weeks ago and made it home late Friday afternoon. I slept at home for two nights, spent a few waking hours with my kids and my wife before hitting the road to come down here, and had an outstanding time!

 Life Along the Border

On the way down, I saw three of our Alberta Crew Trucks heading south to help California with the fires. I saw snowbirds heading to what I could only assume was a trip down to the sunbelt. Numerous cattle liners were heading north and south, as our cattle industry is highly integrated. I saw a few service trucks for the power lines, AltaLink and Berkshire, I believe. We also have a tie-in into Montana.

The Historic Highway

For those of us who don’t live that close to the USA border, we tend to take for granted the crossing times and how much traffic rolls on down the First Special Forces highway, aptly named after the Devils Brigade, which was the first Special Forces, and it was a Canadian/USA unit. They took their training in Helena, Montana, by the way, and it was young men from all over Canada and the USA who filled the ranks. I, too, was on my way to Helena, and thoughts of what I would say to the Senators and Representatives ran through my head as the miles rolled on by.

The Mission Begins

Just like that, I’m off to see who I can meet, how many folks I can talk to about our Alberta Story, and what we can do to keep working together at the sub-national level so that the folks we represent on both sides of the border don’t get caught up in the sabre-rattling taking place down east.

A Warm Montana Welcome

The welcome we received was outstanding, the access we were given was second to none, and the assistance, friendship, and willingness to continue to collaborate and grow our regions to a mutually beneficial end was exceptional. When introduced in the Senate, we received a standing ovation; we were asked to present at five committees, and we met with several “Ministers,” House leadership, directors, and stakeholders. The Governor even gave us 30 minutes of his time. In standard Western hospitality, he invited me to see his office afterwards, several handshakes, and we were again on our way.

The Media’s Silence

From what I could see, the story never reached the press. The good news is that it does not sell clicks on the Internet, I suppose.

Tackling Border Issues

We are dealing with the issues that we can as the province and trying to get support from the other provinces to put some resources towards the border concerns when it comes to human trafficking (Modern Day Slave Trade), the drugs pouring across the border from our side, and the cheap goods from other countries taking a back channel into the USA. We will also continue to lobby for defense spending to meet our NATO commitments. The federal Liberal Government has been cutting budgets to the border and defense for years now, and have been supported in this disastrous policy by the NDP. Moreover, they have not supported the energy sector, and have been actively trying to shut it down for years now.

The Energy Dilemma

Is it any surprise that when they want to act tough, they indicate they want to cut supply, of which the USA counts on Alberta to provide? They have blocked us for years from making our country energy self-sufficient because they won’t let us build the infrastructure or export offshore to other global customers. Now, just weeks after they are handing out Alberta’s latest round of transfer payments to each other, we are not thinking of Canada.

Last, but not in the least: this is about fairness

I’ll keep “Ya’ll” posted on how things transpire here over the next few days. I know being here and having conversations with our partners on a personal level works. I know that when the elephants start to dance, it’s wise to get off the dance floor, but until then, I’ll keep making friends and sorting out what I can to ensure that common sense prevails. Another hit to the economy and driving up the cost of living for Albertans is not something we want or can afford. Too many people have suffered too long under the Socialist policies down east; we are not better off because of it, and I’ll do all I can to make sure his parting gift is not to push us over the financial cliff.

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

Sincerely,

Shane Getson

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