24th August 2012 Calgary, Canada
Alberta’s fascinating contrasts
My family and I have just celebrated two months in Alberta. Arriving just prior to Stampede was thrilling. Being the first British Consul General resident in Calgary is a huge honour. Identifying a clone to pack everything in (we cover Saskatchewan and Manitoba too) is an increasing priority.
To me, Alberta is a Province of contrasts. All of them fascinating:
- Alberta has an established community of businessmen, oil barons and Aldermen – the reason why Alberta has grown so impressively. Alongside them is a young, culturally diverse, dynamic, globally aware and ambitious younger generation. Social media is an essential tool.
- Alberta’s energy industry delivers growth and prosperity. The UK supports. The industry’s environmental impact is well documented. But this is a society pioneering processes and practices to tackle emissions, and to innovate. Industry, government and academia working side by side to achieve real progress – there is no other way. The UK is able and adept at supporting.
- A province that works hard, and plays hard. The Stampede is a study – strategic relationships enhanced, deals progressed. Whilst pancakes enjoyed, (responsible amounts of) beer sank and yah-hoos bellowed. White hats mandatory.
- Tradition sits alongside innovation. Alberta is immensely proud of its heritage. But innovation pumps through its veins. World class Universities of Calgary and Alberta, supported by and involving Industry and Government. Last week, a UK delegation visited to explore stronger UK-Albertan collaboration on Science and Innovation. This week sees a UK team here focussing on Carbon Capture Storage.
- Building Albertan wealth complements the ethic of sharing and contributing. The Voluntary sector in Alberta thrives. Almost everyone gives up some of their time for the less privileged, or to enhance Alberta’s successes.
- I love beef. Alberta’s is the second best in the world, after our own Aberdeen Angus (I expect a postbox on that). ‘Well done’ is blasphemy. But the culinary landscape here is vast. My Y membership is counteracting the waistline impact (as does chasing my kids around Prince’s Island Park).
- Urban centres lie (almost) cheek to jowl with stunning natural beauty. Thriving communities in Calgary and Edmonton lie a short drive from un-paralleled landscapes. I’ve a feeling that Alberta could do more to promote tourism.
- Robust democratic structures allow for progressive and bold action. Ditto an inquisitive media. Alberta wants to be forward-thinking, knowledge-based. Edmonton’s political and cultural energy shines. Calgary cares deeply for its citizens’ quality of life. Society should demand density – to unwind, shop, eat and work without using the car. These projects deserves UK support.
- Alberta is secure in its place in the world, but seeks a larger global profile. Outreach to Europe, Latin America and Asia continues as it seeks to diversify the supply of its vast natural resource to new markets. The UK is engaged.
…amongst all these contrasts, one consistent theme. All Albertans we’ve met have offered a genuine and warm welcome. Their Province is hugely important to the UK’s energy, climate and economic prosperity. The next four years here will be fascinating, demanding, and rewarding. And immense fun.
If anyone has other interesting Albertan contrasts to share, I’m eager to hear about them. You can do so via twitter at @anthonypkay.
Now where is that cloning machine..
Hello stranger, I would just like to welcome you to one of my homelands! My mum’s from Alberta so you’re surrounded by my family, you’ll be in great hands. Will try to find a means to pm you. Get some rabbit slippers in, it gets very cold over there in winter. Kimm
Dear Mr. Pocock and Mr. Kay, personally , I ‘ve never visited Canada – so far. But my cousin is often there, mainly in Vancouver. So I took the chance and looked at some of his photos.That ‘s why I think, that Alberta hasn ‘t so much contrasts.Anyway it looks beautiful. Esp. the Area of Manitoba (what a great name!).You ‘ve mentioned 9 topics.
To me are the most notables: # 4:It’s very interesting cause of the many innovations and for this well described visit of a UK-Delegation.A stronger UK-Albertan collaboration will include benefits for both sides. #5:Is so much important cause of their voluntary sector.Any kind of community in which the inhabitants take more care of each other , MUST be also working in a better way.Incl. these enhanced successes. BW, Ingo-Steven Wais, Stuttgart/Cardiff
Dear Mr Kay and Mr. Pocock, to be honest, (but at least I do admit), this is only my 2nd. comment about Canada at all.Plus I ‘ve never visited it so far.But my cousin is often in Canada, Vancouver. So I took the chance to look closer to all of his photos. That ‘s why I think that Alberta doesn ‘t have so many contrasts.But it looks just beautiful! Esp. the Area of Manitoba.(What a fantastic name !). to me are the most notable topics of yr. 9:#4: It ś very interesting because of this well described visit of the UK–delegation.And of all these innovations at all. # 5 It ś important cause of their voluntary sector.In fact , it is the basic, the bottom pillar of any kind of progress at all – if the inhabitants of any kind of community take care of each other.
BW, Ingo-Steven Wais