What Matters to You – The Sky’s the Limit – Alberta’s Premier Impressions of 2023 Villeneuve Airshow

There is something about seeing the impossible happen that is simply inspiring. Seeing an object that is obviously heavier than air, capable of traveling faster than the speed of sound, flying overhead, twisting and turning near a thunderous roar is inspiring. We obviously are not made to fly on our own, but we were given the ability to solve problems and to work together to accomplish what so many said was impossible for thousands of years. I had said something similar as I gave my speech at the Alberta International Airshow this weekend, pointing to my aircraft that I had taxied up moments before taking the stage. I wanted to emphasize that we often put limits on what we do as individuals and sometimes even as regions, but when we come together and work on a common goal, we will achieve the “impossible”.

Danielle Smith’s 1-hour air flight over rural Alberta

Recently on the east end of the constituency, there has been a little friction over the process for the further development of lands and infrastructure assets that will bring sustainable prosperity to the region and meet a much-needed gap that we have regarding the “Rural Alberta Advantage.” Over the years, I have found that the best way to get action is to make sure folks meet in person and look at the item of discussion fort hand. When the opportunity is there to look at it from the air, it often puts things into perspective. That is precisely what we did this weekend when our Alberta Premier, Danielle Smith and the mayor of Sturgeon Country, Alanna Hnatiw, took a flight over several key industries, infrastructure, wetland areas, agriculture, tourism, and processing facilities. The one-hour flight was priceless regarding the amount of information the Premier absorbed in that short timeline.

Alberta’s Premier Reaction

She said she was blown away by our area’s potential, given all the existing infrastructure and resources at our disposal. She also questioned why we had been limited in growth due to red tape or a potential lack of regional cooperation.

A bird’s eye view tends to bring things into focus in a hurry.

We then walked the static line in the “Hot Box.” That is where the military aircraft performing in the show are kept. We were given the red-carpet tour of one of my favorite aircraft: the A-10 Warthog. The demo team allowed us up into the cockpit, and I talked my way into the pilot seat as the demo captain while a lady from Arizona walked me through the systems. She then asked if I knew about the two stages of the “Gun” when you pull on the trigger. The first stage stabilizes the flight controls, and the second spools up that 30 mm gatling cannon and throws rounds down range. The captain was in service in Afghanistan for a number of years, so it wasn’t a theoretical orientation.

We didn’t catch the whole show but exited just shortly after the F-18 demonstration to make it over to visit with the seniors at West Country Hearth. The tour of the facility and the discussions with the seniors were very pleasant. I am very proud of the facility and how a groundswell of local families brought it from concept to reality. The need was there, and they took it upon themselves as a community to fill the gap. Follow-up meetings will explore how that model could be used to help other regions of the province and ensure that our West Country Hearth remains viable for years to come.

Down-to-earth approach and practical interaction with elected officials and business leaders at 2023 Villeneuve Air Show

We interacted with many stakeholders, elected officials, and business leaders who were on hand to take in the show. We then took a tour of the Villeneuve Control Tower, and the folks from Nav Canada were very gracious on their tour to show us the ins and outs, as it were, of the services that they provide. It was the first time since 1985 that any provincial leadership had visited, and this was the very first Premier they ever had visited. Everyone was appreciative of the down-to-earth approach and practical interaction with our Premier. The discussion led again to how we can grow the industry and fill the gap that we have for personnel to meet the forecasted needs. This was a great segway to take in the career fair at the show.

Fireside Q&A session with the Premier

To round out the day, we had a tour, some speeches, and a fireside Q and A session with the Premier and over 100 guests at Anohka Distillery. This place has such a great story and will act as a catalyst for what I believe to be a cornerstone of an untapped industry in our region. British Columbia has the Okanogan, and they have developed vineyards and wineries over the years. Here in God’s country, we may not be able to grow too many grapes, but I can tell you full well that there is no better place in the world to grow barley. We have loads of peat and some of the purest water in the world.

We also have some of the most picturesque rolling topography, and we are conveniently located within a half-hour drive of a major international airport and a million-plus populated city. B.C. built a wine industry and included tourism as part of the model. “Value Adding” is what we should all be considering going forward, rather than exporting raw products and purchasing them back at a massive markup in a finished state. There is no reason why we can’t make it happen here in Alberta.

It’s true! Sky’s the limit

I am so very proud of our province and our unique corner of it. Having the Premier give us 15 hours of her day Sunday was quite the honor. She was on-site at the airport for 7:30 am, and the sun was setting by the time we wrapped up.

The speeches were from the heart, on point, and were inter-generational. I was so pleased that Mr. Speaker, Ken Kowalski, could make it. He humored me by giving a bit of a history lesson about how we got to where we are now, starting at the time of Premier Lougheed.

For us to remember where we came from, to know the challenges we faced and overcome to get to where we are now puts things into perspective. It lets us see what can be achieved and what we can do to keep moving forward together. After all, the sky’s the limit.

Sincerely,

Shane Getson