First off I want to say that I understand people’s frustration in AB about the results of our last Federal election.
Many people who wanted a clear path for our oil are now feeling threatened. Albertan’s message of "pipelines are the only priority" was not shared by every Canadian. But now there’s talk of separation from Canada. But to channel this frustration into talk about fundraising seems reactionary and dangerous to me.
While others see delay and threats, I see reasons for opportunity and optimism. Here’s why:
Canadian’s have made it clear that they are demanding answers to tough questions about the environment and are not willing to accept further development of our oil and gas without some additional environmental safeguards. That does not mean that pipelines will not be built, it just means that further environmental protections will be put in place. These additional protections will allow Alberta to further advertise our energy as safe/secure/ethical/environmental, but also make Alberta oil even more of a leader in these areas.
Politicians have proven time and time again that they are more interested in short term political gain and self-preservation instead of looking past a single election for the benefit of all Canadians. The Liberal government cannot ignore its loss of the popular vote nor can it ignore the block of blue in the prairie provinces that threatens their survival. In order to survive they will have to work with the PC’s on the issue of pipelines.
I believe in the saying that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". I have never believed that Canadian’s are served when a political party has an overwhelming majority. For well-balanced legislation, that is not driven by partisanship and extreme ideology, you need other opinions and cooperation. After this election each party will be forced to prioritize their main goals and be forced to work with other parties. Concessions will be needed to make these goals a reality.
The Liberals will be forced to act soon. The Liberals will no longer have the ability to sit on the fence on key issues.
In this election the Progressive Conservative climate change strategy was based on innovation. In the last couple months alone I heard about a machine that takes carbon and makes potash. This method of accessing geothermal power could meet all our energy needs.
The election numbers mean one party can't work without the other. It also means that party can take down the Liberals without cooperation by the other parties.
Any bills and initiatives passed will result in at least two parties being able to take credit for it. That should diminish the government’s ability to feel that they have power to manipulate public spending. Of course none of these advantages will be realized if people don’t demand that they take place and we get sucked into the hyper partisan political vortex of half-truths, personal attacks and sensationalist statements.
We must change our approach to the issue of oil and gas. In Western Canada we blame Quebec for treatning the separation card, but now we plan to do the same. For what purpose? Do you honestly think we will be successful as our own country with a land locked province that has no access to tide water when our chief export is a product the world is now transitioning away from?
So, do we continue to call other Canadians fools for not voting as you would have liked? Do we continue in the delusional belief that we can benefit from playing the dangerous and highly divisive separatist card like Quebec has? Do we want to continue to waste more and more time, money and energy on solutions that have already been proven to be failures? Do we want to continue to risk our children’s futures? Do we want to continue to miss out on huge economic opportunities because you believe in the lie that the good old days that you remember will return?
I hope you believe as I do that the answer to all of these questions is no. We must choose a more constructive and realistic conversation. We risk true devastation if we don’t.
- Dan Cunin
