This summer, as I travel around our riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, I am hearing a great deal of dissatisfaction with the Liberal government in Ottawa – and concerns about political leadership and government in general. In fact, many folks mention their concerns about reports of international events and recent terrorist events in particular. It is important for all of us to raise these issues and discuss them in order to better understand them – to the extent that we can.
We place the highest value on our rights and the freedom to live the way we choose. As a result of our strong convictions to live freely and respect one another, we react just as strongly when we learn of attacks, assaults and any violence by those who do not share these values. We feel threatened and we want to protect our nation from these kinds of incidents. We want the federal government to be vigilant when it comes to regulating who we let into our country.
It is a difficult summer for many communities across Alberta for many reasons. Our province is struggling with low oil prices and other factors affecting our energy sector. We were hoping that the slump in our energy sector, like other times over the past decades, would be a short-term ‘slowdown’ that would quickly dissipate. This is proving not to be the case and it makes it very difficult for workers and their families trying to manage their mortgages and day to day expenses.
The good news is that our other major economic sector – agriculture – is doing very well by all reports. We are expecting a good crop this year (despite a few pockets of hail). Cattle prices remain strong. Again we see the importance of our diversified economy; provincially and locally.
For generations since the earliest settlers, Albertans have been working with the natural riches and promises offered in our province. We have survived difficult eras in the past and continued to build our province.
All across Battle River-Crowfoot, even in our smallest communities, we take time in the summer to stage parades, fairs and rodeos as well as volunteer, charity, social and community-focused events. We remember to celebrate the good times as we work individually and as communities to overcome the hard times. The artifacts in our museums, the floats and costumes in our parades, and many other cultural icons remind us that over the decades we have succeeded in many ways. We teach our children to “keep their chins up” and look toward the good times because they are just around the corner. That is the history of our province.
In the many conversations I have with constituents at local meetings on issues or at other events, I am thankful that so many folks take the opportunity to express encouraging words and have constructive input and suggestions. As your Member of Parliament, I am proud to report that our local officials, community leaders, and many well-known local citizens are always prepared to tackle difficult situations and work for the best outcomes.
I hope everyone has the opportunity to have a safe and enjoyable holiday this summer. As always, we have a great deal of work to do and it is important for all of us to prepare for that by making sure we are taking time to care for our health andour families.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this or previous columns you may write me at 4945-50th Street, Camrose, AB, T4V 1P9, phone 780-608-4600, toll-free 1-800-665-4358, fax 780-608-4603 or email Kevin.Sorenson.c1@parl.gc.ca.