Your MLA Reporting on 2 Years of Activity – What Matters To You

When I was a kid there was a popular song by Janet Jackson titled “What Have You Done For Me Lately?”. That song came to mind as I was reading a number of emails that we have received recently. I think we can all agree that with the turmoil of the last 2 years it’s been difficult to remember some of the good things that have been accomplished.  My staff suggested that I jot a few down, and perhaps even make a few videos about them in the future. I’ve listed a few of those items below.

1.       Abolishment of the Provincial Carbon Tax. We made this bill number one in the house, and passed it with exceptional speed.  We then challenged the Federal Liberal Tax and won at the provincial court level. To paraphrase, one of the judges had called the carbon levy a ‘Trojan Horse’…and we all know how that horse worked out for the Trojans after the Spartans left it as a gift at the city gates.  We lost at the supreme court level, however, which still astounds me, as they essentially said that the tax was valid, as it was intended to address a crisis.  Where the logic escapes me is that it was not a requirement to demonstrate any efficacy of the tax to address the apparent crisis.  Like jumping out of an airplane with an umbrella, the thought is there, but will it work? Don’t bet your life on it.

2.       I was assigned to the Skilled Trades Task Force. It provided recommendations to the Minister of Advanced Education to reform our trades program.  It also included addressing the parity of esteem issues and reviewing why other countries don’t have similar challenges.  The report was completed, and many of the recommendations are being implemented, and it will be to the benefit of generations of Albertans.

3.       Assigned by the Minister of Justice to the Firearms Task Force. We consulted with Albertans, on firearms, and what they would like to see going forward from their government to represent the best interest of all Albertans.  One of the immediate recommendations was for the assignment of an Albertan Chief Firearms Officer, with a mandate of education, advocacy and representation; not only of public safety, but for the creation of responsible firearms owners.  Given that our present PM is now putting into play the long gun registry part 2…we are going to need all the help we can get.

4.       After bringing the high probability of the risk of shutting down the entire aggregate and construction industry due to a court ruling on materials classification to the attention of the Environment Minister, I was able to assist in the creation of Bill 31.  The Minister asked me to carry that bill through the house, the first time in 25 years that a minister had asked an MLA to do so. It was quite an honor. More importantly the creation of this law allowed us to avoid a 2-year shutdown of the majority of construction in the province.  We did this to the disbelief of the industry (and many a lawyer) as something of this magnitude should have taken 9 months, not 2.  I then sat on a committee to help bring forward recommendations to allow for counties, companies, and the department to make consultations and review changes to ensure something like this never happens again.

5.       I was appointed as a special advisor to the Strategic Alberta Aviation Council, which has a mandate to essentially advise the government on how to grow the aerospace and aviation sector.  I  bring the perspective of general aviation, small airports, and local economies to the table, and I was also able to help facilitate and coordinate the return of the Alberta International Airshow in Villeneuve.  It was a massive team effort, and the result of that work was nothing short of a rousing success, which brought nearly 3.5 million dollars back into our local economy.

6.       I am the Deputy Chair of the Minister’s Advisory Council for Seniors and Low-income housing, and had the opportunity to lead a sub group to provide a report on a mixed income housing model.

7.       I’m one of six MLAs that were requested by the current Minister of Health to be part of an advisory committee regarding Covid policy, and other items regarding the improvements required in the healthcare system.

8.       I was appointed Chair of the Economics Corridor Task force (ECTF) by the Premier. The mandate was to review the rail system, determine its capacity and operations, recognize areas of improvement based on cross jurisdictional demands, and provide guidance on how to protect and grow economic corridors within our province in cooperation with our provincial partners and international connections.  The recommendations came down to the following:

○        Facilitate the growth of short line rail services to compliment the mainline system.

○        Strategically protect and develop routes and infrastructure to grow ports of interest.

○        Creation of a Corridor Management Authority that crosses provincial boundaries as needed to ensure that there is a coordinated management of growth, flow of goods, and development that enhances not only the economy of Alberta, but for all of Northwest Canada.

For me the next big push will be focused on forwarding the recommendations of the ECTF, the management of the pandemic, healthcare reforms, mental health of our youth, and management of local environmental conditions.  Reflection is always good:  let’s see what we have done, how far we have come, and where we need to go for a prosperous future.  I hope that if you have items that you feel need my focus over the next year, please reach out to my office and advise me on what matters to you.

Sincerely,

Shane Getson