What Matters to You – What Have You Done for Me Lately?

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Janet Jackson had a hot song with this title, and I hate to say it when I read some of the accusatory quips or demands on social media, that song runs through my head. It never fails to amaze me how folks who would not say boo in person are fearless and, many times, downright rude, disrespectful keyboard warriors. I can repost a picture of a beautiful sunset from Wabamun, Isle Lake, Lac Ste. Anne or Sandy Beach, wishing everyone a happy Sunday, and some person exhibiting troll-like characteristics “demands” a complete account of what I have done as an MLA for them. Telling me I must drop everything else and take their abusive nature because “I work for them!” What that tells me is that these folks, in all likelihood, have never run a business, had people work for them in the first place, or if they did, could never keep them on the payroll for very long because no one gets away with that kind of behavior for very long.

Over the last few weeks, however, I’ve had some great conversations with folks who needed clarity or were looking for updates on what I’ve been up too and how some of the projects we’ve had in the hopper are progressing. I believe this is a worthwhile conversation, and I thought giving an update here in the little local paper where I’m uncensored may help many. I’ll break it down by “Theme,” so if something is not of interest to you, you can skip to a heading. That is, time is precious to us all.

Education / Careers / Skilled Trades

I was part of the last term of the skills for Jobs Task Force (Skills for Jobs Task Force | Alberta.ca) and led a task force myself on Career Education (Career Education Task Force | Alberta.ca). The findings of these two separate task force reports have helped form policy directly and indirectly. The mandate letters given to the current ministers of Education and Advanced Education have items that are taken directly from the reports. Overall, the two efforts allow for a change in thinking regarding students being able to choose their career paths, providing support to them through our education system, tapping into private industry, and better aligning post-secondary Education. It puts the student back at the center again and helps people get onto and into their careers more expeditiously. In short, kids didn’t know what they wanted to be when they grew up because they didn’t know what they could be when they grew up. There has been an unintentional disconnect between the skills needed for industries and addressing transferable skill sets within the industries.

Firearms / Property Rights / Personal Freedoms

The outcome was that we hired our own Chief Firearms Officer, rather than having one appointed by the federal government, and we re-patriated the department to be in Alberta rather than in Eastern Canada. The culture and mission of the department changed to act not only as the group that “enforced the law” but instead used good judgment of the law and became an advocate/educator/supporter of responsible firearm ownership. Alberta, in many ways, is leading the country on this file, and if the chips fall in the right direction, we will probably help form policy with the new federal Government.

Alberta’s motto is Strong and Free, and I believe for good reason. We take our freedoms and the rights of others very seriously out here. We modernized the adverse possession laws so other folks squatting on your property can’t take it from you. We made sure folks have enhanced and modernized trespass laws so that protesters (as an example) can’t roll up onto your farm,  steal your turkeys, and disrupt your operations without consequence. 

Speaking of turkeys, we passed a law called the Sovereignty within a United Canada Act to ensure that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is upheld in our province and that if a federal government is not respecting those laws, we will stand up for them. It will basically put the onus back on the federal government to challenge us in court rather than putting in a policy that clearly contradicts our country’s foundational and defining laws. We’ve already had to use it, believe it or not, when it came to the federal government straying into our jurisdiction on energy and electricity, which would have cost us billions upon billions of dollars as taxpayers.

Freedoms in choice of Education to allow parents to choose what method of delivery of Education is suitable for their family. We strongly believe in family and parental rights while still protecting minors. There was a point not so long ago when the freedoms of choice that our parents and kids have now were on the chopping block.

These freedoms that we have here in our province are not necessarily available in other parts of the country. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met over the last few years who have picked up stakes and moved from other provinces to experience firsthand what it is to be an Albertan. Freedom sells, and Alberta calls for like-minded Canadians and those abroad who want to be part of what we are building out here.

Intergovernmental and Transboundary Relations

In my role as the Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Corridor Development, I report to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, better known as the Premier. I am the lead MLA regarding our representation in several transboundary organizations. The organizations we are members of are the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (of which Alberta was a founding Member), The Council of State Governments, the National Council of State Legislators, and The Energy Council. These organizations allow Alberta to help influence policy within our country and in the USA. Simply put, if we want to change the tune we have to dance to, you must be able to help pick the playlist.

Some of these organizations also work across the pond, and it allowed me to head over to Germany last year on the German government’s dime and see what they are doing over there regarding their energy policy. Due to that trip, we had a visit by German officials over here to Alberta as a follow-up; another will be coming this fall, and I’ll be heading over there again in October. The world is very connected, and when policy is made across the pond, it directly affects us here. I also have learned firsthand that “Our Story” is not being told by the federal representatives, and when we tell it ourselves, people want to hear it. In fact, we are literally the solution to a number of real-world needs.

Mental Health and Addictions

We literally have a new program in place that is opening conversations right across North America. The model loosely puts focus on recovery and getting folks out of their addictive cycle so they can be productive members of our society again. We will not allow folks to languish any longer in that addictive quagmire. Closer to home, we will open the newest recovery center in Gunn. I can tell you full well that I have received compliments and encouragement from senators in Washington, and Oregon who told us they got the policy wrong and are changing course, paying close attention to what we are doing here.

Last, but not in the least

So, when folks ask me online “What have I done for them lately?” and for Alberta, there are several areas where I’ve had the privilege to be part of or lead initiatives that will have short-term results and long-term gains. I want to thank all the folks who have taken the time to say hello when I’m out and about in the constituency, to give me a pat in the back when I need it, and a kick in the pants when I deserve it. As I’ve told you, I don’t know what I don’t know, so I’m all ears. You will also know that if we engage in conversation, I may challenge you, offering counterpoints and testing logic. It’s to ensure that if I’m going to take things forward, they are sound and will have the best bang for the buck for as many people in our area as possible. So, let’s keep having the conversations and ensure I fully know what matters to you.

Take care and I’ll continue to care about “what matters to you”!

Sincerely,

Shane Getson