When I first went to Ottawa as a member of Parliament, I didn't go there because I believed the system was working. Quite the opposite.
Like many Albertans, I was frustrated. Western Canada was too often ignored, our industries were misunderstood and decisions affecting our livelihoods were being made by people who had little understanding of how this country actually works outside Central Canada.
The sense of alienation in Alberta was real then, and in many ways, it remains real today.
Canada Was Worth Fighting For
But I also believed something else: Canada was worth fighting for.
I believed Alberta's answer was not to walk away from Confederation, but to demand a better deal within it. That was the mission of the Reform movement and later the Conservative movement that many of us helped build. We went to Ottawa to change Canada — and in many ways, we did.
We fought for democratic reform, lower taxes, balanced budgets, Senate reform and a greater voice for Western Canada. We challenged the old Laurentian consensus that treated Alberta primarily as a revenue source rather than a partner.
The progress was not always immediate, and it was never easy. But change happened.
Canada became more competitive. Taxes were lowered. Federal finances were repaired. Western Canadians gained influence at the cabinet table and within national politics. And Alberta's energy sector became the economic engine of Canada, creating jobs and opportunities from coast to coast.
None of this happened because Alberta gave up on Canada.
It happened because Albertans engaged with Canada and fought to improve it.
Why History Matters Now
That history matters now more than ever.
Across the province, frustration is growing. Many Albertans feel disrespected by federal policies that hurt jobs and investment, while decisions affecting Western Canada are too often made by people disconnected from life here.
Those frustrations are real and understandable.
But anger alone is not a governing vision.
Grievance is not an economic strategy.
And separation would not solve the fundamental challenges Alberta faces. In fact, it would create enormous uncertainty at precisely the moment we should be focused on growth and opportunity.
The world is changing rapidly, and Alberta is uniquely positioned to succeed. From energy and agriculture to technology and innovation, our province has the resources, talent and entrepreneurial spirit to drive growth, strengthen Canada's economy and help meet rising global demand for reliable energy and food security.
The question is not whether Alberta has a future.
The question is whether we approach that future with confidence or with resentment.
