Celebrating Alberta Day
By Chantelle de Jonge Chestermere-Strathmore MLA
On Sept. 1, Albertans came together to celebrate Alberta Day. It is a time to reflect on our province’s unique place in Confederation, the contributions we make, and the strength of the people who call this province home. It’s a special day that reminds us of our proud identity and the important role we play in shaping Canada’s future.
When Alberta joined Confederation in 1905, our province quickly became known for farming. Now, 120 years later, agriculture is still a big part of our economy, feeding the world with the highest quality beef and produce.
In 1947, Alberta’s path changed with the discovery of oil at Leduc No. 1. Empty land turned into busy worksites, towns became cities, and a strong energy sector was born – bringing hope and opportunity to generations of Canadians across the country. Today, Alberta’s energy sector continues to power homes, drive new ideas, and fuel our national economy. Our government is proud of Alberta’s energy sector and the energy workers building a stronger Canada.
Above all else, Alberta’s greatest strength is its people. From small towns to big cities, Albertans are known for working hard, starting new businesses, and helping one another. Whether you’re new to Alberta or your family has lived here for generations, we’re all part of a story that makes this province special.
Alberta Day is a chance to celebrate who we are, what we are building, and where we are going. Together, we will continue to make Alberta strong, proud, and free.
As we celebrate our provincial identity and the values that unite us, it’s also important to look ahead to the challenges and opportunities shaping Alberta’s future, especially when it comes to energy.
Alberta is growing quickly, and that means we need more reliable and affordable electricity. Families, farmers, small businesses, and communities across the province rely on a steady source of power to keep the lights on, run equipment, and grow our economy. That’s why we are launching an important conversation with Albertans about the future of our energy system – and whether nuclear energy should be a part of it.
Nuclear power is already being used in other parts of Canada and around the world. It’s a safe and reliable way to produce energy without adding pollution to the air, and it can help meet our growing energy needs. It also has the potential to create good jobs and power new industries that could benefit Alberta’s communities for generations.
This fall, our government is launching a phased public engagement on nuclear energy. In the first phase, an expert panel has been chosen to hear directly from Albertans. I am honoured to serve as the chair of this panel, which is made up of respected leaders from business, universities, and Indigenous communities. Together, we will gather feedback and provide advice on how Alberta could use nuclear energy in the future.
Right now, every Albertan can share their opinions by filling out the Nuclear Engagement Survey at https://www.alberta.ca/nuclear-energy-engagement, which is open until Sept. 25. Later this year, the panel will start holding in-person meetings across Alberta, and there will be even more chances to get involved through 2026.
In 2022, Alberta teamed up with Saskatchewan, Ontario, and New Brunswick to look into small modular reactors and other nuclear technologies. These new, smaller reactors are being considered in many places, and it is important to see if they could be a good fit here in Alberta.
We want to hear from you. This is about our future. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to fill out the survey and make your voice heard. What you say matters and will help shape Alberta’s plan for reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy in the years ahead.
As always, please feel free to reach out to my office with your feedback and questions (Chestermere.Strathmore@assembly.ab.ca).
(Chantelle de Jonge is the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore and the Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities)