Well Cochrane, it’s our third election in two years. We were at the polls October 2017 for our municipal election, last spring was our provincial election, and now - on October 21- we’re deciding the fate of our federal government.
Had enough, yet?
Surviving Thanksgiving dinner with family members and friends with opposing political views is an accomplishment. Co-existence with Uncle Jim is validation that we Canadians can do this. We can cast our ballot and make our mark on the prosperity and merit of this fine country. We can do this autonomously and without interference. Yah, lets think positive.
Now for thinking realistically.
The last four years have been a tough ride. We're being inundated with information from every direction, yet nothing resonates with Alberta interests. Our current Prime Minister has hung us out to dry with his failed attempt to get a pipeline built, and his biggest rival - Andrew Scheer of the Conservative Party of Canada - doesn't seem animated enough to move things forward. Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh are endorsing clean energy and tackling Canada's carbon footprint. Where does that leave Alberta's conflicted oil and gas industry?
Last week's bumbling federal election debate revealed we're alone in answering that question. None of the party leaders spoke to our concerns. Clearly, no one has been listening to Albertans. Trudeau's pipeline - or our pipeline - is still at a standstill. The Liberals - minutes into the French language debate two weeks ago - spoke about standing up for oil interests and yet somehow our tax dollars funded a $4.5 billion promise that never materialized. Our province's economy is still without momentum with no concrete signs of a full recovery. How deflating.
Let's not allow ourselves to boil over in anger though. The best course of action is to still hope for the best and vote.
The blue, red, green, orange and other election signs that mark our current landscape are supposed to remind us that we have options. Do we? Despite anticipated early poll results, party scandals (big or small), targeted Facebook ads, or the constant rhetoric from the 6 o’clock news, Alberta residents are still on the fence.
We're unsure on who will fight for us. Alberta, the economic engine that once led our country into prosperity is now the former working horse led to pasture. We were the darlings when the going was good and jobs were plentiful. Now it seems we're a distant memory in the far reaches of the minds of the rest of Canada.
The cheese stands alone.
