Open letter to Premier Danielle Smith:
First and foremost, as our representative in our confederation, I need to know you will act in good faith as a representative of the full set of values held by Albertans.
I hear you speaking about protecting our interests and values; however, we are more than our industries, and our values are much deeper than 'wealth and prosperity'.
What I don't hear you recognize officially is that the values you refer to, the values of the Conservative agenda, which I grew up with, also happen to cater to corporate interests.
What I don't hear you acknowledge is that corporate interests have sprung from our capitalist history of ignoring the environmental costs of resource extraction. You pretend, or seem to believe, that these interests are also the interests of the people of Alberta. We are a people who have been richly blessed, spoiled in fact, by resource abundance. It is high time to recognize and take stock seriously of our place in history and on the planet.
I find your statements regarding our rights and privileges to be sad and embarrassing. Having lived off grid for a dozen years of my life, I understand just how well we can live with much more conscious and intentional respect for our resources. I resent you taking us backwards with regards to responsible resource use, with single use plastics, and plastic straw production in particular, as an example.
Federal and 'liberal' concern for resource depletion and emission regulations are not "hostile acts". They are in fact a reflection of the values of a majority of Canadians, as reflected in this week's federal election. They in fact reflect the values of a huge percentage of Albertans.
This Alberta government, under your leadership, has not proven itself trustworthy on responsible resource extraction that respects the will of the people, nor on emissions controls, nor on water quantity and quality management.
Please, stop characterizing all Albertans with the pettiness and unconscious privilege that I feel you exude.
Step up, please, to be a conscientious and collaborative leader in confederation.
Heather Plaizier,
Mountain View County
