Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft on Sept. 11 outlined a new vision for Alberta’s economic future, in the form of inter-provincial cooperation that could “forever change the place of Alberta in Canada.”
“Today, I am proposing a complete rethink,” said Taft in a speech to Calgary’s Downtown Rotary Club. “I’m proposing a policy to transform western Canada into a Western Tiger, with Alberta as the heart of that tiger.”
Comparing the opportunity to the transformation in the ‘70s and ‘80s of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore into Asian Tigers or more recently Ireland into the Celtic Tiger, Taft says Alberta has a once in a lifetime opportunity for a dramatic elevation in power, wealth and sustainability of Alberta and the West.
Taft indicated that, as premier, he would call for a meeting of western provinces, with an agenda of turning western Canada into an energy superpower.
“Under current plans, Alberta will be shipping a million barrels a day of bitumen to the U.S. for upgrading by the year 2015,” said Taft. “I’d like to share that opportunity with other Canadians. Instead of bitumen booms in Texas, Chicago, and Detroit, I’d prefer Winnipeg, or Regina, or Kitimat.”
“There’s a limit to how many upgraders we want here in Alberta, so let’s think strategically about what happens to the rest. Alberta can leverage this export into a strategic advantage. We can build political allies, a stronger and more stable economy, and make Alberta the heart of a Western Tiger. Let’s see if other western Canadians want a piece of the action. One mid-sized upgrader generates hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes every year.”
Taft said this new model would ensure that the province maintains a healthy economy, while protecting quality of life for all Albertans.
Taft added that this new economic alliance would also allow Alberta to re-position itself as a powerful force within confederation to strengthen the province’s position on critical issues, such as energy policy and equalization.
“The Premier’s recent ‘Don’t mess with Alberta’ remarks may score some easy political points, but this kind of message doesn’t move us forward. In this time of unequalled opportunity, it’s time for Alberta to lead,” said Taft.
