What Matters to You – Updates from Home and Abroad

It has been a while since I have had time to put pen to paper for this weekly article, like many of you I’m sure, something always seems to come up. However, based on the feedback I’ve received from you the reader, out and about as it were in the various communities, I’m going to make sure I pencil in an hour to put pen to paper and ensure this little article is a priority. It seems to be one of the sure-fire ways I can connect, rain or shine, as it were.

2023 Pacific Northwest Economic Region, Boise, Idaho

Like many who have been following for the last few years, I’ve been going on and on about “Economic Corridors” pathways or conduits that can be formally identified and that can be further developed to the benefit of not only the local area but the region, province, and state as it were. I took the show on the road with a fellow MLA recently as I was named the official “Albertan Delegate” to represent our province in an organization called the Pacific Northwest Economic Region. Alberta was a founding member of this group of provinces and states that represents the 11th largest economy in the world when you compare us on the global stage. I was allocated/elected to the overall organizational executive and its newly formed Canadian chapter.

The most recent conference took place in Boise, Idaho. It had a major focus on several issues that the economic corridor model will address. There is a huge need for energy security, food security, logistics efficiency, access to mineral assets, energy transition, infrastructure resiliency, and security. I have stated before that we can move mountains when we show up in person at these events, fully assert ourselves, inform others what we have been working on, and extend a hand to work collaboratively with them. There is an emergent need for urgency like never before to sort out what quite honestly has become a quagmire or fed tale and politics getting in the way of practicality for us to remain competitive and secure here in Canada and the USA. Our allies and friendly, like-minded trading partners depend on us to be there for them.

Unplanned Push for Zero Emissions Will Result in North America’s Demise – Here’s Why!

Here is a real kick in the shin for anyone who has one foot grounded in reality while following along with what seems to be pushed in the mainstream papers and media. If we are going to meet the mandates for the zero-emissions future – with excessively aggressive timelines – we are going to have a massive failure. Here is what I have expereinced in Boise:

1. A large number of that group are running around like chicken little and pointing the finger at all of those who supply them with the modern-day conveniences that they can’t live without, and they want to shut down the industries and places that are the solution to their dream.

2. I heard elected officials from the left coast regions going all in on “Green” while at the same time not wanting power lines and power generating facilities. They want to pull approvals for existing hydroelectric dams that have been in operation for years and stop most of the mines in production, let alone approve any new ones.

3. Farming was not a desired industry as well on any sizable scale, depending on the regions, because land should be used in better ways, like putting up more windmills and solar panels to plug-in electric vehicles.

It was an educational conference, I can assure you. I cannot tell you who I spoke with or what was said in a number of the executive meeting rooms, but let’s say your outspoken MLA had a few things to share with his new colleagues at the table about how and why he got into politics. The harsh realities would be encountered with the proposition laid out before us if we didn’t face some real word truths.

I can share with you that a number of those that hail from the left coast regions were somewhat gobsmacked, and the others from similar regions and backgrounds as ours were shaking my hand and thanking me for speaking up.

We have reached a point where we need to stand up and say the emperor has no clothes and that chicken little is indeed overacting to the sky is falling.

I’m not suggesting that we need to stay static, but we need to really step up and play our part, be assertive, be respectful, and when the others are running around in circles, sidestep them and get on with addressing the real problems. Digging in, coming up with the solutions, and then executing the plan.

Conference Lessons Learned I Brought Back with Me

So, what does this mean on the home front? Well put, it means leading by example. Looking at our own backyards and seeing what has become so cumbersome that it no longer makes sense.

It means making a safe place again where folks can have good conversations and debates without being so darned hyper-partisan or politically polarized. We need to park the local politics, get back to getting things done for the good of others, and with that, the windfall for ourselves.

It means identifying the elements dividing us and parking them so that we can work on the real problems. As one expert put it, imagine how much more effective you would be if you planned for the weather rather than trying to change the weather.

Short Term Look Ahead for Our Constituency

On the home front, we will have some town halls to talk about where we are at regarding the fore season we just went through.  We need to openly talk about what worked, what didn’t, and how we can address some of the items that we need to.  Not finger-pointing but problem-solving.  I honestly believe several process and procedural items need to be addressed so that we are all in better shape the next time something like this happens.

Our office will be selling some “Made in Alberta, Strong and Free” flags as well as some artwork prints to help a number of folks who were impacted by the fires and had challenges with insurance.  We also want to explore some options that may be out there through Habitat for Humanity or other such organizations, so we can help folks get back on their feet sooner than later.  A community coming together to help one another makes the most meaningful impact.

Keep safe, take care of one another, and when you can, take the time to work together to work the real problems that can be solved.  Don’t get bogged down in the minutia or distracted by the chicken little out there. We have work to do, and we need to keep moving our province forward together. Other jurisdictions are looking up to us for leadership, and its what we do at home that counts the most in making the biggest mark.

Sincerely,

Shane Getson