Alberta's job market has been built upon the success of capital expenditure (CAPEX) from Alberta industry.  There is a great reliance on our energy producers to maintain this prosperity.  If we were to perform a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) analysis, it can be concluded that the global demand of energy transition will result in a threat to this prosperity.

The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) has suggested policy that is very close to what the Alberta Party believes will be successful.  We listen to the AFL and believe that their conclusions will maintain Alberta's prosperity.  This represents a way of turning a threat to our prosperity to an opportunity.

Reading material:

Ground-breaking report from Alberta unions urges province, energy industry to “Skate to Where the Puck is Going” by embracing job-rich energy future

Executive Summary

Full Report

While Alberta proposes ideas for energy transition such as those proposed by the AFL, these ideas represent demand side policy aspirations.  Mark Mills presents an argument that the energy transition is going to face a major challenge with the under supply of metals and materials and even more so the under supply of investment.  Alberta needs be pragmatic and consider supply side policy that will support the success of the energy transition.

If we are to raise Alberta's productivity, we need to change the way we bring in capital investment.  This video illustrates the differences between the economics between Canada and the US.  It also illustrates why our real estate is less affordable than the US, and illustrates that capital flow into Canada goes to real estate rather than gets invested in productive assets such as industry.  Alberta will need to adjust the way we attract capital investment in order to be able to raise our productivity.

Alberta finds itself in a world today where investment around the world is no longer safe.  This "Scared Capital" is trying to find a place to roost.  Where it is roosting in Canada is the real-estate market where it is driving up the affordability of housing to levels where our children will have a challenge in owning a home.

Secondly, with rising inflation and boomer retirement, capital will become harder to acquire for energy transition projects and innovation.  We need this capital to be "sticky" (ie: stay around) to be productive.

The Frasier institute study regarding the reforming of capital gains taxes in Alberta is one such approach.  It could be argued that Alberta needs tax credits on the front end as opposed to capital gains exemptions on the back end of the investment portfolio.  Either way, this seems to be a way to address the investment for supply side challenges of energy transition and assist with the economic diversity of Alberta.

Reading material:

Reforming Capital Gains in Alberta 

While this video has a UK perspective, it does introduce the concept  of "EV Poverty" and points out the pitfalls of demand side policies.  As we develop Alberta's policy for net zero emissions, we will need to monitor the adoption rate and find ways of pragmatically mitigating the affordability of transportation in the future.

This video is produced within the context of American politics, but it does contain a message about how to get away from the polarized politics that we encounter in our provincial politics today and endorses the values of appropriate citizenship as promoted by the Alberta Party.

As we debate the content of Alberta's educational curriculum, we have now witnessed technology that will be disruptive to our educational system.  This should take priority in developing Alberta's educational policy.

While AI such as ChatGPT can be useful tool for teachers and students to assist with education, there are others that would use the AI to disadvantage themselves in the educational setting.  Some feel that a return to traditional education methods will be required to mitigate this problem.

Alberta should be developing policy as led by the subject matter experts (ie: teachers) that will anticipate the usefulness of AI assisted education and embrace this disruptive technology as a positive learning tool.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce has outlined their ACCELERATE program which presents five pillars:  Fiscal Responsibility, Affordability, Economic Diversification & Competitiveness, Talent & Labour, and Strategic Infrastructure Investments.

The recommendations are very close to what the Alberta Party intends to implement as past governance has frightened away investment from Alberta.  Alberta needs to be seen to have a stable investment environment demonstrating leadership that is collaborative with municipal and federal governments.

There's no such thing as a bad idea as long as there are other good ideas that balance out the bad ideas.  Collectively the majority of Alberta's ideas when averaged out will lead to good decisions.  It is only when decisions that are made by a few Albertans without listening to others that poor decisions or policy is made. 

The Alberta Party listens to Albertans and develops policies that are pragmatic and make sense.   Albertan's want fact based decision making, follow the rule of law, and are CANADIAN.  Let's make a good decision.

For those that want to see the debate that matches up Barry Morishita with Daniel Smith courtesy of Chat News Today.  It has been posted in two parts in the link below.

https://chatnewstoday.ca/2023/05/18/brooks-medicine-hat-forum/

Please notice how Barry refrains from attacking the other parties or candidates and wants to engage the others and focus on moving forward with solutions for the issues discussed. 

While we see the major candidates receive endorsements from former well respected politicians, Alberta Party values endorsement from people like you.  I am sharing this feedback (name and location withheld for privacy concerns) that really gets to the reason why I feel that the Alberta Party is fighting for the right cause.  I would like to thank this individual for their service and for the feedback that was provided.

“Good day! I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of the Alberta Party (AP) candidates the best of luck over the next few days.  For context, I will tell you a bit about myself: While I was born and raised in Alberta, I have recently returned after a 16-year period of living abroad (both in other areas of Canada, and the world). My extended itinerance has been due to my ongoing service with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), a career which has exposed me to a variety of people, ideas, and experiences from around the globe. It is in this spirit that I would like to endorse the stated values of the AP, and agree completely that this province (and indeed, the world) needs to move back from the chasms of divisive - and unproductive - anger that seem so prevalent in contemporary political and social discourse. I would also hazard to say that while it may often be in our interest to develop "Albertan solutions to Albertan problems", we ought to be mindful of doing so without unnecessarily antagonizing nor alienating our fellow Canadians. Now, perhaps more than ever, we need to acknowledge the necessity of pragmatic and collaborative solutions that benefit the whole - inasmuch as is possible - and admit collectively that no one group, or ideology has a monopoly on truth or wisdom. We must all pull together, and acknowledge our shared humanity, even (or especially) when we disagree. I believe that if we continue to build this endeavor - this party, this province - on the fundament of mutual respect and collaborative innovation, our future will be all the brighter for it. It will take time, and it will not be easy, but if enough of us strive to "Ride for the Brand" - to borrow a phrase from the proverbial "Code of the West" - of these ideals, I know there is every opportunity to build an Alberta that is better for all. Thank you for your time".