Thanks very much for the question.
That's the reason I'm here and the reason that we at the Alberta Federation of Labour support this particular piece of legislation. It's because it will provide a platform for consultation. That's what excites me most about it.
Contrary to what we heard from one of the other committee members, we should not criticize the author of this bill for not consulting widely on a bill about consultation. What he's trying to do—and I think what will happen if this bill is passed—is create a platform for discussion, which is critically important, because in the west, the conversation has been dominated by loud, angry voices that have crowded out all other discussion.
As I mentioned in my opening remarks, there is a large and broad coalition of groups and individuals in Alberta who want to see our province, and western Canada in general, address the threats that are presented by the unfolding global energy transition but also embrace the opportunities, because there are many. My colleague next to me, Mr. Masterson, has identified a few in the petrochemical sector, but there are many others as well.
From our perspective, in order to get to that destination of creating a more diversified economy, addressing the threats of the global energy transition, retooling and pivoting our economy in western Canada and in Alberta in particular, and to address this changing global economy, we need to put all the ideas on the table, but unfortunately those ideas have been crowded out by loud political discussions led by Conservative politicians, for the record. Many of you may have heard what we're up against. As I was speaking, there was noise being made by the Conservative members on this committee. This is what we deal with every day.
There's a difference between what's happening in here—constructive conversation—and what's happening out there. What's happening out there, especially in western Canada, is that anyone who doesn't agree with “my province, do or die” or “my industry, do or die”, and who has a nuanced perspective on how we can transform our economy to maintain prosperity in a changing world is demonized. We're shut out. That has to end. I think very strongly that creating a platform and a framework for discussion like the one envisioned by this legislation is exactly what we need.
Your colleague talked about consultation. Let's create a platform for consultation, so that the voices that have been drowned out will finally have a place to be heard.
Just last week, we at the Federation of Labour unveiled a 90-page blueprint for pivoting the Alberta economy. I think it's significant that it's very similar to suggestions being put forward by the Alberta business community, and the fact that we're all singing from a very similar song sheet suggests to me that we're on to something. I've shared the report with the committee clerk. I would encourage all members of the committee to take a look at it.
This cartoonish debate of “are you for us or against us?” and "are you with us or against us?” is not constructive. That's why I think it's really important for us to create platforms like the one contemplated by this legislation. It's so that all these other western voices, like those of the people you're hearing today—like Mayor Heron and Mr. Masterson—people from the business community, the labour community, the indigenous community....
We're Albertans too. Frankly, I've had it with these loud voices from the conservative right, pretending that they speak for all western Canadians. They do not.