Speaker: Monte Solberg – Former Federal Cabinet Minister

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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:

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