In a speech to the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley focused on the economic challenges facing the province, but also on long overdue changes to how the province deals with environmental concerns.
In front of a packed house, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said in her keynote address that it is "long, long past due" for Alberta to clean up its environmental act, calling the poor air quality in the province a direct threat to the health of our children and seniors.
Time is of the essence, according to the Premier, for the province to "get its act together" on the issue or face a solution mandated by the federal government and external energy markets.
However, talk of climate change and environmental issues played second fiddle to the tough challenges facing Albertans due to low oil prices and lost jobs in the energy sector.
While Notley acknowledged that the energy industry is at the heart of the Alberta economy and will be for many years to come, she said Alberta needs to look beyond.
In addition to the government playing the role of "shock absorber" for the province through good fiscal management and returning to balance, Notley said the government must also play an important role as a good partner to job creators, entrepreneurs, good ideas people and visionaries.
The Premier reinforced her point by saying that Alberta needs to become an "insanely great place to start a new business."
In addition to diversification, the Premier said the province is already working on developing "export options for energy producers" - citing "drama-free, ongoing discussions" with British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. These types of discussions are something Rachel Notley hopes can take place with the federal government following the October 19 general election.
