As Alberta’s economy continues to grow and diversify, the government is taking important steps to ensure that all Albertans benefit. To this end we have been investing in retraining programs. Having reinvented my own career path a few times over the past decade, I know first hand just how impactful these programs can be. That is why a few weeks ago I was pleased to visit, with the Minister of Advanced Education Marlin Schmidt, some of the retraining centres right here in Calgary that are teaching Alberta workers new skills.
In February, I visited the Career and Technology Centre at Lord Shaughnessy High School where I presented a cheque on behalf of Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips that is enabling students in their Energy and Environmental Innovation Lab to build a solar car. As part of my visit I stopped by the welding and auto shops, the culinary and pre-engineering labs, and the cosmetology and media studios to see how the CTC is preparing students for further education and careers in high-skill, high-demand occupations.
While education and retraining programs are important components of ensuring that Albertans are future ready, so too is work of diversifying our province’s economy. Premier Rachel Notley recently announced that full-scale commercialization of partial-upgrading technologies will be among the government’s next steps toward energy diversification here in Alberta. Work is also underway to ensure that companies have access to the natural gas liquids they need to grow private investment in Alberta-based natural gas processing. This will build directly on the success the new Alberta Petrochemicals Diversification Program.
When I meet constituents on their doorsteps and at community events I am pleased to learn that they recognize the significance of these as well as other decisions our government has made to maintain public services, invest in infrastructure, and create the circumstances that will ensure the recovery will make life better all Albertans. Because your stories and ideas are important I want to encourage you to visit my office during Constituency Week – April 23 to 27, 2018 – and share with me your ideas and hopes for Alberta’s future.
~ Brian
