THE ISSUE ’s Premier Review of 134 NEWS Politics and Government Vitality JUNE/2021 from

protection to individuals. With that in mind, only 29 per cent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated in the SPRING 2021 SITTINGS CONCLUDE – province. Alberta’s ability to contain the Delta variant will likely be the key to ensuring the province remains open beyond summer. PANDEMIC RECOVERY AND TURBULENT Political Optics Dominate Headlines STORIES The last legislative session was, by far, the most strenuous and tumultuous of the United Conservative’s brief existence. Aaron Singleton 2021 has not been kind to the public perception of the UCP following numerous events that have created political tension not witnessed in this province since the last days of Premier Alison Redford’s leadership. Of course, it would be misleading to say it was all bad for the UCP.The -area will see the development of a $1.3 Senior Editor: Pascal Ryffel A session that has been bookended by the implementation and removal of pandemic-related public health restrictions billion hydrogen facility that will see the province become a hydrogen hub in the country, for example. We are seeing some Publisher: Alberta Counsel reached its (expected) conclusion last Wednesday after numerous consecutive late sitting nights in the Legislature. Since new businesses set up shop in the province as well. However, positive headlines like these were drowned out by stories of this session began on February 25th, 2020, 72 government bills and 20 private members’ bills were tabled in the Assembly the party’s own making throughout 2021. ALBERTA COUNSEL which has attributed to the United Conservative Party accomplishing an estimated 83 per cent of its campaign promises. Legal and Lobby Professionals Nothing over the last 16 months can be accurately described as smooth sailing for anyone in the province; the same can be Even if you remove the events of the holiday travel scandal that resulted in the most recent cabinet shuffle, there was a Management Consultants said of the provincial government as they were forced to pivot and abandon their key goal of balancing the budget by 2023. great deal of negative press for the provincial government. The number of independent MLAs increased by 200 per cent Trade-mark Agents recently following the public letter of criticizing the government’s record and subsequently calling for the Although it has yet to be made official, Government Premier’s resignation (the same events were responsible for ’ time in caucus coming to an end). There were House Leader has indicated that the LEDGEVIEW BUILDING also the events tied to the politically cursed ‘Sky Palace’ of the Federal Building which did not help the party, internally or current session is expected to be done, paving the People will get infected. Some 800, 9707-110 Street NW externally. way for an October 25th speech from the throne. “ Edmonton AB T5K 2L9 people will get sick. Regrettably, The natural resource side of the coin was not much shinier. The province’s multi-billion investment in the construction of P: 780-652-1311 Should the province be able to contain the Delta Keystone XL did not end the way it had hoped. A few months after United States President Joe Biden cancelled the F: 780-652-1312 variant of COVID-19 over the summer and continue a few people likely will pass pipeline’s permit, it was announced that the project would not be completed. It has been estimated Alberta stands to lose E: [email protected] getting both doses of approved vaccines into arms, away, as has been the case around $1.3 billion as a result. www.AlbertaCounsel.com it is likely that our elected officials could return to the Legislature this fall in a way that resembles forever with influenza, but we “We remain disappointed and frustrated with the circumstances surrounding the Keystone XL project, including the ‘normal’ for the first time since spring 2020. It will don't shut down society to deal cancellation of the presidential permit for the pipeline's border crossing.” (Pull Quote – Premier ). The News from Alberta Counsel is be exciting to watch a full house of MLAs in their Alberta’s premier review of seats as we strap ourselves in for the back-half of with that kind of limited and More recently, the Joint Review Panel tasked with evaluating an application for a local coal mining project was denied last provincial politics and government this term. week. The Grassy Mountain project based in Crowsnest Pass was deemed to not be in the public interest due to controllable risk. We manage environmental concerns. The panel concluded that it should not be approved due to the following anticipated reasons: vitality. As an original source of political news and commentary, The the risk. The vaccines give us • “Significant adverse environmental effects on surface water quality, westslope cutthroat trout and its habitat, Pandemic Over? Restrictions Loosen Almost News will provide a fresh look at whitebark pine, rough fescue grasslands, and vegetation species and community biodiversity; and” Entirely a superpower to manage it. legislation, policy, committee • “Significant adverse effects on physical and cultural heritage of some First Nations.” debates, the civil service, along with The peak of the third wave of COVID-19 in our Let's embrace that. The UCP has been fighting public backlash for nearly a year following the initial repealing of the 1976 Coal Policy (which party updates and events. province happened on April 30th when the Premier Jason Kenney ” has since been reinstated pending ongoing public engagements). Although many have been supportive of the panel’s province discovered 2,390 new cases of the virus in our population (the hospitalization peak arrived on May 12th as it is a lagging indicator. Then, 550 people were in decision, Crowsnest Pass Mayor Blair Painter was not as pleased as he outlined coal is key to the region’s economic hospital). On June 19th, only 100 new cases were identified with 214 individuals hospitalized. While we are by no means in livelihood. Alberta Counsel the clear, this is the best things have looked in some time for public health. We work with organizations to “Right now, there's a great demand for high-grade metallurgical coal. This would have definitely given us the opportunity to navigate their way through the Last week, we learned that the province had crossed the threshold to trigger the transition to Stage 3. Other than some diversify our tax base”. confusing network that is protective measures for continuing care facilities and continued self-isolation rules, the province is set to return to normal on Canada Day. associated with government. We What Comes Next? help our clients connect with those Indoor gatherings – check. No more capacity restrictions – check. Stampede – check. who are important in shaping public When session starts afresh in October, the province will look a little different than it does today. Should the pandemic run its However, the reopening raises questions (as it always does) of ‘is this too soon?’ as the population remains a blend of the course as we all hope it does, the government will once again dive head-first into fulfilling all of the 17 per cent of policy and ensure your messaging is pandemic-cautious and those who are ready to reopen as soon as possible. The province has been acknowledging that it is remaining campaign promises. We will also see a sizeable turnover in municipal council rosters as elections will be effectively communicated to certain some individuals will continue to get sick, but that vaccines are our ticket out of the pandemic. happening on October 18th. Here are a few pieces of legislation that we could see next session (as found in the UCP’s decision makers. “People will get infected. Some people will get sick. Regrettably, a few people likely will pass away, as has been the case campaign platform): forever with influenza, but we don't shut down society to deal with that kind of limited and controllable risk. We manage the • “Enacting the Public’s Right to Know Act which will require annual reporting by judicial district on a wide number of risk. The vaccines give us a superpower to manage it. Let's embrace that”. measurements such as the number of crimes committed by persons on bail, on probation, on parole, subject to a To subscribe to The News from The above statement sparked considerable division in the province as the population continues to disagree with one deportation order for criminality, or previously removed for criminality”. Alberta Counsel, please visit another about how best to balance protecting lives and livelihoods - the main talking point of the UCP throughout the www.albertacounsel.com/news • “Introduce the End Partisan Government Advertising Act, making it illegal for governments to advertise in the run-up pandemic. to an election and to use tax dollars for partisan ads at any time”. The new Delta variant has been growing in the province and is expected to become the dominant strain of COVID-19. Like • “Convene a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Action Group with members from the financial services the other variants of concern, this strain is noted to be more transmissible than the original. Unlike the others, the biggest industry, government, and the disability community. Allocate $500,000 annually to help Albertans open RDSPs and concern with Delta is that initial studies are showing that a single dose of an mRNA vaccine is not sufficient in providing access the thousands of dollars in federal government grants and bonds available to them”.

Article continues on page 2 THE Alberta’s Premier Review of NEWS Politics and Government Vitality from

protection to individuals. With that in mind, only 29 per cent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated in the SPRING 2021 SITTINGS CONCLUDE – province. Alberta’s ability to contain the Delta variant will likely be the key to ensuring the province remains open beyond summer. PANDEMIC RECOVERY AND TURBULENT Political Optics Dominate Headlines STORIES The last legislative session was, by far, the most strenuous and tumultuous of the United Conservative’s brief existence. Aaron Singleton Of course, it would be misleading to say it was all bad for the UCP. The Edmonton-area will see the development of a $1.3 billion hydrogen facility that will see the province become a hydrogen hub in the country, for example. We are seeing some new businesses set up shop in the province as well. However, positive headlines like these were drowned out by A session that has been bookended by the implementation and removal of pandemic-related public health restrictions stories of the party’s own making throughout 2021. reached its (expected) conclusion last Wednesday after numerous consecutive late sitting nights in the Legislature. Since this session began on February 25th, 2020, 72 government bills and 20 private members’ bills were tabled in the Assembly Even if you remove the events of the holiday travel scandal that resulted in the most recent cabinet shuffle, there was a which has attributed to the United Conservative Party accomplishing an estimated 83 per cent of its campaign promises. great deal of negative press for the provincial government. The number of independent MLAs increased by 200 per cent Nothing over the last 16 months can be accurately described as smooth sailing for anyone in the province; the same can be recently following the public letter of Todd Loewen criticizing the government’s record and subsequently calling for the said of the provincial government as they were forced to pivot and abandon their key goal of balancing the budget by 2023. Premier’s resignation (the same events were responsible for Drew Barnes’ time in caucus coming to an end). There were also the events tied to the politically cursed ‘Sky Palace’ of the Federal Building which did not help the party, internally or Although it has yet to be made official, Government AARON externally. House Leader Jason Nixon has indicated that the SINGLETON current session is expected to be done, paving the Policy Analyst The natural resource side of the coin was not much shinier. The province’s multi-billion investment in the construction of way for an October 25th speech from the throne. Keystone XL did not end the way it had hoped. A few months after United States President Joe Biden cancelled the Should the province be able to contain the Delta During the second year of his pipeline’s permit, it was announced that the project would not be completed. It has been estimated Alberta stands to lose variant of COVID-19 over the summer and continue Political Science degree at the around $1.3 billion as a result. getting both doses of approved vaccines into arms, University of Alberta, Aaron “We remain disappointed and frustrated with the circumstances surrounding the Keystone XL project, including the it is likely that our elected officials could return to worked as the campaign manager cancellation of the presidential permit for the pipeline's border crossing.” the Legislature this fall in a way that resembles for a candidate in the 2011 ‘normal’ for the first time since spring 2020. It will More recently, the Joint Review Panel tasked with evaluating an application for a local coal mining project was denied last be exciting to watch a full house of MLAs in their federal election. He was able to week. The Grassy Mountain project based in Crowsnest Pass was deemed to not be in the public interest due to seats as we strap ourselves in for the back-half of translate that experience into a environmental concerns. The panel concluded that it should not be approved due to the following anticipated reasons: this term. public service career that includes various positions with • “Significant adverse environmental effects on surface water quality, westslope cutthroat trout and its habitat, whitebark pine, rough fescue grasslands, and vegetation species and community biodiversity; and” Service Alberta and Justice & Pandemic Over? Restrictions Loosen Almost Solicitor General. He also served • “Significant adverse effects on physical and cultural heritage of some First Nations.” Entirely as the Foreign Policy Advisor for The UCP has been fighting public backlash for nearly a year following the initial repealing of the 1976 Coal Policy (which Security Council at the University The peak of the third wave of COVID-19 in our has since been reinstated pending ongoing public engagements). Although many have been supportive of the panel’s province happened on April 30th when the of Alberta’s HSMUN conference decision, Crowsnest Pass Mayor Blair Painter was not as pleased as he outlined coal is key to the region’s economic province discovered 2,390 new cases of the virus where he developed his livelihood. in our population (the hospitalization peak arrived on May 12th as it is a lagging indicator. Then, 550 people were in understanding of pragmatic policy “Right now, there's a great demand for high-grade metallurgical coal. This would have definitely given us the opportunity to hospital). On June 19th, only 100 new cases were identified with 214 individuals hospitalized. While we are by no means in analysis. the free in the clear, this is the best things have looked in some time for public health. diversify our tax base”. Last week, we learned that the province had crossed the threshold to trigger the transition to Stage 3. Other than some [email protected] protective measures for continuing care facilities and continued self-isolation rules, the province is set to return to normal What Comes Next? on Canada Day. When session starts afresh in October, the province will look a little different than it does today. Should the pandemic run its Indoor gatherings – check. No more capacity restrictions – check. Calgary Stampede – check. course as we all hope it does, the government will once again dive head-first into fulfilling all of the 17 per cent of However, the reopening raises questions (as it always does) of ‘is this too soon?’ as the population remains a blend of the remaining campaign promises. We will also see a sizeable turnover in municipal council rosters as elections will be pandemic-cautious and those who are ready to reopen as soon as possible. The province has been acknowledging that it is happening on October 18th. Here are a few pieces of legislation that we could see next session (as found in the UCP’s certain some individuals will continue to get sick, but that vaccines are our ticket out of the pandemic. campaign platform): “People will get infected. Some people will get sick. Regrettably, a few people likely will pass away, as has been the case • “Enacting the Public’s Right to Know Act which will require annual reporting by judicial district on a wide number of forever with influenza, but we don't shut down society to deal with that kind of limited and controllable risk. We manage the measurements such as the number of crimes committed by persons on bail, on probation, on parole, subject to a risk. The vaccines give us a superpower to manage it. Let's embrace that”. deportation order for criminality, or previously removed for criminality”. The above statement sparked considerable division in the province as the population continues to disagree with one • “Introduce the End Partisan Government Advertising Act, making it illegal for governments to advertise in the run-up another about how best to balance protecting lives and livelihoods - the main talking point of the UCP throughout the to an election and to use tax dollars for partisan ads at any time”. pandemic. • “Convene a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Action Group with members from the financial services The new Delta variant has been growing in the province and is expected to become the dominant strain of COVID-19. Like industry, government, and the disability community. Allocate $500,000 annually to help Albertans open RDSPs and the other variants of concern, this strain is noted to be more transmissible than the original. Unlike the others, the biggest access the thousands of dollars in federal government grants and bonds available to them”. concern with Delta is that initial studies are showing that a single dose of an mRNA vaccine is not sufficient in providing THENEWS from

Photo Credit: Brendan Brown ASHLEY Alberta Counsel – How to Reach & Engage Voters During STEVENSON POLITICAL EVENTS Elections Policy and Research Tuesday, July 6th @ Noon Assistant NDP – Women in Politics Location: Online Friday, June 25th @ 5:30 pm • In this webinar, we will discuss the needed tools and methods Ashley Stevenson is a third-year Location: Online on targeting your voters during your campaign efforts. political science and economics • Join , , and Knowing how to reach your audience is crucial when you are student at the University of for an evening of charcuterie, wine, and live poetry. building a campaign and knowing how to engage voters is Alberta, originally from a farm • Tix: $150 (albertandp.ca/events) what will set you apart from the rest. near Carstairs, Alberta. Prior to • Tix: $50 (albertacounsel.com/events) working for Alberta Counsel, she UCP – Show Jumping was an intern for UCP Caucus in Friday, July 2nd @ 7:00 pm Alberta Counsel – 10 Things You Need to Know to Win the Location: De Winton Election 2019, worked for MP Martin • Join Jason Kenney and for an evening of Thursday, July 8th @ Noon Shields, and is an avid volunteer show jumping, drinks, and appetizers. Location: Online for campaigns and elected • Tix: $250 (unitedconservative.ca/events) • Join us to learn how to create a proper campaign timeline, politicians both on federal and how to build and manage your database, successful provincial levels of government. fundraising strategies, strategic spending, the psychology of voters, the statistics behind campaigns, successful GOTV [email protected] strategies, and much more. • Tix: $50 (albertacounsel.com/events)

KEY INFLUENCER PROFILE Minister of Energy Ashley Stevenson First elected as MLA for Calgary – Northwest in 2019, Sonya Savage was subsequently appointed Minister of Energy and Deputy House Leader for the United Conservative Party. She is well suited to her portfolio with an extensive background in energy law and policy with Enbridge’s government relations department and later as the senior director of policy & regulatory affairs with the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association. She worked Photo Source: unitedconservativecaucus.ca for nearly a decade on the Northern Gateway Pipeline during which she was named to Ottawa’s top 100 lobbyists in the Hill Times seven years in a row. Other energy projects that she worked on include the Line 9 reversal, Alberta Clipper, and other non-petroleum projects that involved wind, solar, geothermal, and sour gas. Minister Savage received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Laws, Environment and Energy from the University of Calgary. During her undergraduate studies, she spent a significant amount of her time being mentored by the professor Ted Morton. It should come to no one’s surprise that she followed in his footsteps in becoming Alberta’s Minister of Energy, with her Master’s thesis discussing Canada’s National Energy Board. From a young age, Savage was heavily involved in conservative politics, likely inspired by her rural roots from growing up on a farm near the town of Standard, Alberta. She attended the 1993 federal leadership convention to help campaign for Kim Campbell and was Alberta’s Progressive Conservative Youth Association’s president. Savage is one of the many successful graduates from her political science class, with her peers including Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and MP Pat Kelly. Following her graduation, Savage worked as a lawyer for over a decade with various firms before transitioning to government relations. At home, she has two adorable cats named Tia and Taz with her husband Eric. With a background as impressive as hers, it is no surprise that Sonya Savage was Kenney’s top pick for Minister of Energy as a longtime friend and an expert on Canadian energy.

THE Alberta’s Premier Review of NEWS Politics and Government Vitality from

ALBERTA’S MUNICIPAL REFERENDUM – A CAUTIOUS APPROACH James Johnson

That sigh of relief you heard across Alberta recently was from municipalities. On June 4th, the Government of Alberta tabled its proposed question for Albertans to vote on during the municipal elections in October. For those of you grammatically inclined, who pondered Elk versus Elks, you’ll have noticed ‘question’ not ‘questions’. It appears that the United Conservatives have chartered a more cautious journey into the October municipal vote by focusing on the single issue of equalization unfairness for Alberta. JAMES JOHNSON It didn’t always appear that the United Conservatives were risk-averse when potential ballot questions were first floated for Director of Research consideration. UCP MLAs, including the Premier, have publicly mused about a party-approach to municipal elections and a variety of ballot questions for Albertans to ponder. It may seem like a debate society had spilled over into what are often barely Beginning as a research analyst, contested elections, but the UCP’s entertainment of a variety of ballot questions had a significant impact on local governance James progressively worked his in Alberta before the ballot topics were finalized. way up to Special Advisor for the The potential for referendum questions to inject some volatility and excitement into usually tame elections created even more UCP Caucus over 10 years at the volatility. As the ability to register for the fall elections emerged, elected officials across Alberta began to seek new opportuni- Alberta Legislature. He served as ties. The then Mayor of Grande Prairie resigned, becoming a CAO. Other mayors and councillors across Alberta decided not to Director of Research for the seek re-election including the mayors in Edmonton and Calgary. Taking a break from public life is a normal choice come Wildrose and United Conservative election time, but there was a lot of speculation that more politicians than usual were looking to spend time with their families Party Caucus as well as directing come November and the cause being specific to the UCP’s potential referendum questions. the internal machinery of the UCP What issues up for debate could have made so many think twice about public life? The UCP’s response to the last federal Caucus during its 2017 election, a Trudeau Liberal re-election, led to the Fair Deal Panel and aqz serious consideration of, among other things, an Leadership period. He was also a Alberta Provincial Police and Alberta Pension Plan. The anger of the populist in right in Alberta was funnelled to the Fair Deal key member of provincial panel. The fact that the hot button issues like pension and police have not progressed has been a source of frustration and one campaign teams in three Alberta reason among many that the Wildrose Independence Party is momentarily considered the third party in Alberta politics. general elections, serving in Originally, the thinking was that this cluster of populist right issues could drive people to the municipal polls and realign various roles including Tour municipal councils in the UCP’s favour. This group of voters, some of them new to municipal voting, could have realigned the Director, Issues Manager, and municipal voter universe and their elected councils. A provincial police and pension plan are concerns for the populist right but Manager of Candidate Selection. for many others across the political spectrum, it is politically mixed or worse, a losing proposition. There would have been a James brings a solid grasp of real chance of some of the proposed referendum questions being seen as losses for the UCP and its leader, Premier Jason government and political Kenney. communications, public policy, Premier Jason Kenney finds himself in an interesting political situation in 2021, likely unforeseen in 2020. He’s now situation- and legislative process. ally, a political centrist. For a variety of reasons, the Wildrose Independence Party is rising in public opinion polling and those polls now place the NDP in government if an election were held today. Since the travel controversies that kicked off Alberta’s [email protected] politics in 2021, you’ve seen a more conciliatory UCP. Alberta’s Health Minister apologized for the way that negotiations unravelled with physicians. Long-standing controversies like the issue of coal mining in southern Alberta and the potential management and ownership of Alberta’s parks were quickly ended without formal government action. The recent posting of an RFP for drone monitoring of Alberta’s parklands was removed the day it was posted. The UCP’s approach as of late can be described as downright cautious and cautious governments do not drive a wild bunch of voters to the polls. What to make of this new cautious approach to the fall referendum questions? The UCP are treading lightly on the populist right terrain. If there ever was a desire to drive voters to the polls in October, there is a lot of thought going into which voters and the consequences of losing any questions. This is why it makes solid sense that the UCP want to focus on equalisation, a safe question in Alberta at the best of times. They will want to have the issue top of mind when a potential fall federal election is held. All this being said, given that many municipal politicians quit before the ballot questions were even finalized and that the memories of many in politics is short, it leaves the cynical among us wondering if this was the plan all along. THE Alberta’s Premier Review of NEWS Politics and Government Vitality from

AT A GLANCE

In the Media

Stage 3 of Reopening Legg had only committed to 2 years of working for the Last week, Premier Jason Kenney announced that the government’s arms-length corporation to promote and province had surpassed the threshold required to trigger help diversify Alberta’s economy, where he has served the transition period to the final stage of Alberta’s Open now for 2 and a half years. He will be headed to Asia, for Summer plan. As of Thursday, 70 per cent of eligible from where he will continue to serve as a senior adviser residents (aged 12+ years) have received at least their to the board of the Crown Corporation as he still has a PASCAL RYFFEL first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Reopening is slatted to number of large projects underway. Director of Government begin on July 1st. Relations In Stage 3, all public health restrictions (including Joint Panel Denies Approval for Grassy Mountain capacity limits and indoor gatherings) will be lifted. There Coal Project After completing his MA in Media will remain some measures to protect continuing care Following a rigorous review process by Alberta Energy and International Development, facilities along with isolation requirements. Regulator and Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, the Pascal spent four years with the Joint Review Panel denied approval for the Grassy Mountain Coal Project in the Crowsnest Pass. The review Alberta NDP Caucus. Pascal has KXL Terminated & Albertans on The Hook for $1.3 Billion determined that the project would result in adverse been directly involved in Alberta environmental effects on surface water quality. politics for almost two decades, Only months after American President Joe Biden revoked its permit, developer TC Energy Corp. has officially These adverse effects particularly impacted westslope including as a candidate in 2008, cancelled its $9 billion Keystone XL Pipeline (KXL). cutthroat trout and their habitat. In a statement, Minister and has a deep and current Alberta been fighting in favor of the construction of this of Energy Sonya Savage and Minister of Environment Jason Nixon recognized the critical importance of knowledge of Alberta politics. oil pipeline for over a decade, first under Premier Ed protecting Alberta’s lands while developing natural Pascal has been with Alberta Stelmach until its cancellation under Premier Jason Kenney. The project was cancelled by President Biden, resources. They stated Alberta’s Government is Counsel since 2015. who served as Vice President underneath President committed to responsible resource development. Barack Obama who notoriously opposed the pipeline [email protected] despite Premier Alison Redford’s efforts to promote it. Metis Nation of Alberta Suing Province Over The Obama and Biden administrations were not the only Consultation Policy opposition that the KXL faced, with a number of environmentalists, Indigenous groups and landowners The Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is taking the vehemently opposing the pipeline. Government of Alberta to court over refusing to negotiate a consultation policy framework. Discussions on how the On the flip side, the majority of Albertans, Saskatchewan government could best consult with Metis on matters residents, and several Indigenous groups that all would such as resource development have been underway reap economic benefits from the KXL heavily supported since 2014, and a draft policy was agreed on in 2018 the project. Alberta’s UCP government took a $1.5 billion with the former NDP government. Following the 2019 equity stake in the project and provided it with a $6 election, the MNA claim that the UCP government billion loan guarantee last year in an attempt to expedite cancelled negotiations without warning. the construction process. Albertans are now estimated to face a loss of $1.3 billion with the cancellation of this The MNA further states that the government has ignored pipeline. their requests to continue working on the policy, alleging that the UCP are treating the MNA as second-class Indigenous people and perpetuating systemic racism. Invest Alberta Corp Chief Executive Resigns The Minister of Indigenous Relations’ only response thus This past week David Knight Legg resigned from his post far is that they are aware of the lawsuit but find it as the chief executive of Invest Alberta Corp. His reasons inappropriate to comment on a matter before the courts. for leaving were stated to be family related in an interview on Thursday, as Legg hasn’t seen his 12-year-old son in Singapore for 18 months due to COVID-19 related restrictions. THENEWS from

JUSTIN GOTFRIED Associate ALBERTA RODEOS – CULTURE AND Prior to joining Alberta Counsel, ECONOMIC DRIVER Justin worked in the constituency office of two Calgary-area MLAs. Ashley Stevenson In addition, he previously held a legislative position in Ottawa for a Rodeo is a quintessential component of Alberta’s culture, tourism industry, and community spirit. Whether it be a small-town Member of Parliament from celebration like Carstairs’ Beef & Barley Days, the high school rodeo circuit where youth are vying for the buckle, or the Alberta and has assisted in the Calgary Stampede, rodeo is important to much of the province. Every year it contributes a significant amount to the province’s management of several local economy, through tourism for the Stampede and the pro rodeo circuit, creating job opportunities, advocating and employing campaigns in Alberta and Ontario. the province’s agriculture sector, and more. Justin is a recent graduate of The Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) alone often generates an economic impact of more than $50 million annually within the Mount Royal University’s hosting community, most recently being Red Deer, Alberta. With some of the best contestants and stock in the country, the CFR International Business program. attracts over 43, 000 attendees leading to an economic benefit of approximately $37 million in 2019 alone. From theme nights at local bars and restaurant, to fully booked hotels, to western wear shops being inundated with new customers, the impact [email protected] the CFR has had on Red Deer and area has been impressive, giving a boost to an economy that suffers greatly during a downturn in the petroleum industry. It is undeniable that the impact rodeo has on Alberta’s economy is a positive one. Additionally, not only do rodeos rake in that impressive amount of profit, but professional rodeos in North America also give back approximately $30 million for local and international charities each year. Rodeo provides an income to its contestant members of Alberta-based Pro Rodeo Canada, paying out over $5.1 million annually to competitors. While contestants are the most visible part of rodeo, other careers within rodeo include stock contractors, judges, rodeo secretaries, announcers, timers, bull fighters, photographers, specialty act performers, as well as externally employing members of the surrounding community for hospitality purposes. Each year, Calgary’s Stampede Grounds welcome more than 4 million guests from around the globe, hosting over 1200 events and contributing more than $540 million to the Alberta economy. For Alberta’s rural youth, rodeo is an important part of their upbringing, whether that be attending the events as a family outing, competing in mutton busting as a small child, working the grounds, or volunteering for the agriculture society. It is not often that high school students are able to compete for prizes over a thousand dollars, but the high school rodeo circuit provides just that, in addition many opportunities for these rural students to receive post-secondary scholarships. Children that grow up surrounded by rodeo culture are taught the values of respecting animals and agriculture as well as the spirit of volunteerism. With this overwhelming enthusiasm for rodeos, it is no surprise that politicians have advocated for rodeo to become Alberta’s official sport. On March 1, 2021, Calgary UCP MLA Muhammed Yaseen proposed Private Member’s Bill 212 to do just that, emphasizing the importance rodeo has within Alberta’s diverse cultural fabric in the wake of COVID-19 cancelling much of 2020’s rodeo events. This was not the first time that idea has been approached, with Liberal Opposition leader Kevin Taft making a similar motion in 2008. A similar motion was proposed in 2020 by a different UCP MLA. Rodeos also have a large impact on Albertan and Canadian politics just like any other community event, providing a time for politicians to network and gain support at the many events such as Pancake Breakfasts. The Calgary Stampede attracts all types of government officials across Canada, with Prime Ministers, Premiers, and even British royalty attending at times. Many government relations firms host VIP hospitality suites; attendees of the 2019 Stampede could have spotted 4 different Premiers at one single lounge. Lobbying groups and political organizations also use the Stampede as an opportunity to gain rapport and fundraise, with the Conservative Party of Canada hosting its largest annual fundraiser as a Stampede BBQ with its leader. However, that is not to say that every Albertan supports having rodeo become the province’s official sport or even supports rodeos in general. Many animal rights activists are greatly opposed to rodeos entirely, as well as enthusiastic hockey and curling fans from urban areas are perplexed by the idea of making rodeo the official sport. There are claims that embracing rodeo further plays into outdated stereotypes for Alberta being red neck cowboys; however, embracing rodeo is a nod towards Alberta’s distinct and unique culture and history in agriculture and rural community spirit. Canada’s first rodeo was held in Alberta in 1902, and the first formal Calgary Stampede was held in 1912, leaving the province steeped in over a century of tradition.