After an extensive public consultation process, the Government of Alberta has officially unveiled the design for the province's new licence plate. The winning design, which features a stunning image of Moraine Lake with the provincial motto 'Strong and Free' prominently displayed, is expected to appear on vehicles across the province by the middle of 2026.
A Nail-Biting Public Vote
The selection process involved significant public participation, with Albertans casting 240,000 votes over three rounds of balloting. According to Dale Nally, the minister responsible for the file, the final round came down to a remarkably close contest between the Moraine Lake design and an alternative featuring a cowboy and pump jack.
'The winner is Moraine Lake but it was a horse race,' Nally stated. 'It was back and forth between the two the entire race. I think it was one per cent that separated them.' This narrow margin highlights the strong public interest in the new plate's design.
Symbolism and Provincial Pride
The chosen motto, 'Strong and Free,' is also found in Canada's national anthem and is intended to reflect the character of the province and its people. Minister Nally expressed strong enthusiasm for the message it conveys.
'Strong and Free is a great motto for Alberta and it's absolutely appropriate,' he said. 'Albertans are a resilient people. We're hard-working, we're entrepreneurial and this plate screams that message to the rest of the country.' He believes Albertans will be proud to display the new plate when it becomes available.
Addressing Criticism and Looking Forward
While some critics have suggested the government should focus on other issues, Nally firmly dismissed these concerns. 'We can walk and chew gum at the same time,' he asserted, explaining that the licence plate is part of a broader initiative to present a fresh and confident image for Alberta.
This is not the first time a 'Strong and Free' plate has been proposed; a similar idea was floated nearly two decades ago but was grounded after being deemed too aggressive or American by some. Nally believes the timing is now right, stating, 'I think the time is right to do it now... The self-deprecating Left will hate everything we do but the severely normal Albertans, as former premier Ralph Klein would describe them, they love strong and free.'
The new Alberta licence plate marks a significant visual update for the province, representing a blend of natural beauty and a declaration of provincial identity that is set to roll out in the coming years.
