Is Alberta a recognized leader on the national stage, adequately protecting Alberta’s provincial interests while contributing positively to the advancement of national interests?
Speaker: Monte Solberg – Former Federal Cabinet Minister
Session summary:
[Note: There was substantial disagreement about this session summary among conference participants. A straw poll vote was taken, the breakdown was: 33 (Yes) - 21 (No) - 16 (Abstentions).]
Do we accept the speaker’s assessment of Alberta’s performance in this area? If not, what is our assessment?
- With very few exceptions the room agrees with the “F” grade, one “D” grade
Do we agree with the proposed solutions and alternatives? If not, how would we alter them?
- Be more direct with the rest of Canada
- Disagreement on whether it is only a communication problem or whether it is substantive
- Getting our house in order before we can lead
What additional ideas, solutions, and alternatives do we think would improve Alberta’s performance in this area?
- Senate reform (elected senators), provincial senate
- Look to the model of other provinces
- Expand on TILMA
- Strive to be more generous with other provinces (loans from Heritage Fund), promote our economic contributions to the rest of Canada
Small Group Discussion response forms:
We need to focus on the process of developing leaders, from within our communities, churches, clubs and schools, and not focus as much on the issue of leadership per se.