Those of you who know me know how much I love Montana and the people who live there. The last few years of lockdowns and closed borders almost made me forget this. I recently spent a month in Montana on a health and wellness retreat at the family cabin and I was reminded of why it is so special to me..My adventures began in Montana seven years ago when I contracted my cabin to a local contractor. Previously I had spent nine years on the Canadian side of the border in a 5th wheel trailer. However, we would travel to the USA side regularly for groceries and alcohol which were closer than driving 50 mins to the closest town on the Canadian side. It wasn't just that which caused us to move to the American side, it was much more..During my retreat, I found myself doing a lot of reflection on life, and having a vacation home in Montana was one of them..In talking with one of the cashiers at the local Walmart in Kalispell, I learned that 45,000 people had moved into the Flathead Valley over the past two years. “Who are they and why and where did they come from?,” I asked with genuine curiosity. I was told they primarily came from California. Why? Because their dollars go further in Montana for housing and purchasing goods along with a much improved lifestyle. They can buy a house and not live in a condo; they can work remotely, which is a huge bonus; all the while living a better lifestyle. And they can get anywhere within 20 to 30 minutes. But she added that she “hopes they left their politics in California.” I quickly agreed!.Our cabin is closer to a smaller border town, but the growth is obvious. Several new homes are under construction for the first time in 5 years. Recreational properties are turning into full-time residences. At the local gym, where I have a part-time membership, the locals are always friendly. We chat about everything from what’s going on in town, to politics, to where we live when not in Montana. At the local grocery store, I am now recognized as a regular and am privy to their life stories and challenges. My neighbour, who is a local contractor, talks with me about work and what he can do better in his business. The friendliness and welcoming culture remind me of a young Calgary, and a current Airdrie..So, where am I going with this? Calgary, Edmonton, and Alberta in general are experiencing tremendous growth due to a small exodus from Eastern Canada. Our city, our politics and our planning are changing, and, not always for the better..Not unlike Montana, we are open and welcoming, and we love that other Canadians see our province as an opportunity to improve their lifestyles — especially after the last two years of lockdowns and restrictions. We've doubled in population since the early 1980s. Not many provinces can ‘make that brag’. We have kept things simple in our approach to this point without a lot of bureaucracy, politics and (damn) rules. That in itself is an Alberta Advantage..I'm sure by this point some of you think I'm opposed to change and just want Alberta to stay the same. No, I don't. Not unlike my business, we must change with the times, but the same principles as in business apply. Although, at some point, I will not want the change coming at me and I will have to step aside for the next generation to carry things on. But there is change and then there is radical change..Consider the recent announcement to spend $87 billion of Calgarians' hard earned dollars for a plan 30 years forward. Imagine Calgarians in 1992 deciding how to spend tax dollars in 2022. In 2022, we are looking at a proclaimed climate emergency, ever-increasing costs on a green line, rejection of more densely populated and energy-efficient suburban developments, electric weed whackers and more policy proposals. It is beginning to concern me that some ‘woke virus’ is sneaking in to take over. Some councillors have already proven that. However, with the right people in charge, it's not irreversible. For our own future enjoyment and affordability, Calgarians, new and old, need to pay closer attention, or we might find ourselves running elsewhere just like the Californians..Thinking back to that comment from the Walmart cashier in Kalispell Montana, I have a simple request — I am assuming many of the new Albertans left the East to enjoy many of the Alberta Advantage reasons I have been talking about, so, would it be impolite of me to ask you to please leave those Eastern politics behind?
