With the 2012 provincial election coming to an end on April 23, Alberta is set to enter an exciting and dynamic time that will hold both new opportunities and new hazards.
Regardless of the outcome of next week's vote – following a month of vigorous and sometimes bitter campaigning by all parties – not only Albertans by all Canadians will watching the new government very closely from its very first days in office.
And that is because that new Alberta government will be in charge of what is now the most important economy in Canada.
In fact, it is probably true to say that the new Alberta premier and cabinet ministers will be holding the economic future of Canada for the next decade in the palm of their hands – and if the provincial economy is not properly guided and managed over the next five years, it could have very drastic negative impacts in every community, including right here in West Central Alberta.
With Alberta's oil and gas industry, in particular, now representing the most important economic engine in Canada, the stakes couldn't be higher for the new Alberta government.
For its part, and judging by the new federal budget, the Harper government seems to realize full well the vital importance of Alberta's economy to the health and success of the Canadian economy.
“This year's federal budget has significant support for industries and sectors that form the backbone of Alberta's great economy,” said Wild Rose Tory MP Blake Richards.
“Our oil and gas, forestry, agriculture and tourism sectors all can find something in our Conservative government's budget that is designed to assist and strengthen the entrepreneurs that drive our economy.”
As part of its 2012 budget process the Harper government has announced that it will be streamlining the approval process for resource projects such as oil and gas development.
Although some environmental groups are not at all happy with that approval process change, the streamlining of the process makes it obvious just how much the federal government is now staking on the success of Alberta petroleum industry.
Stephen Harper knows that Alberta's success or failure now means Canada's success or failure. And anyone who thinks otherwise is, well, kidding themselves.
When the 2012 provincial election wraps up next week, a new government will be put in place in quick order. How the next five years will turn out for that new government remains anyone's guess.
What is certain is that the new Alberta premier will have a vital job on his or her hands.
