Been there done that
By COLLIN GALLANT on October 3, 2020.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant There’s something strangely familiar about news that U.S. President Donald Trump is backing a proposed railway between Alaska and Alberta. Oh, I remember now… the Alberta Party began touting the incredibly long rail line through impossibly tough terrain during the last provincial election as a kind of Hail Mary touchdown attempt. It jibbed nicely with that party’s whole “innovative thinking” mantra. It’s not likely to develop into anything substantial any time soon, but Madison Avenue magnate David Ogilvy once said the most important word in advertising is “new.” Still, this type of idea – best described as a sort of economic development brainstorm – is becoming old hat. Remember UPC leadership candidate Jeff Calloway’s suggestion that Alberta buy the Port of Churchill (which has its own railway issues), or the more recent new fangled idea to build small-scale nuclear reactors, which has been kicking around for a while. The ship has long sailed on Energy East, but it’s still taking up space in the conversation. Chattering about economic diversification in Alberta is favourite pastime during oilpatch slowdowns, then forgotten when money starts raining down again. But its been generally dry and windy of late, adding urgency to action to boost things like ag processing and other non-energy related economic activity. In Saskatchewan, a recent economic diversification plan concentrates on ag, energy and mineral extraction – three areas that are already major legs of that province’s economy. It’s hard to technically call that diversification, but it plays well to a sense of prairie patriotism. And it sounds awfully familiar. In this province we recently heard about a new mineral extraction focus from the provincial government. It suggests southern Alberta is a great place to mine uranium and potash. This newspaper covered the last great uranium exploration boom in the early 2000s, and can’t find one of those companies that’s still in business today. Similarly, while one company spent a few years buying up acres between here and Provost for a potash range, it cashed out several years ago citing low grades. It’s now looking for diamonds in B.C. Speaking of… geologists have long understood that kimberlite deposits – common in northern Alberta – usually contain diamonds. A new government-appointed panel will now determine Alberta’s diamond strategy. In fairness, the same strategy, announced by Energy Minister Sonya Savage, discusses lithium and heavy metal recovery (things the current and future economy will actually need) in oil production. Some will say it’s about time. The real plum here though is likely hydrogen, and that will require attention if Alberta wants to be ahead of the curve, seemingly for once. Winter Further signs that time is, in fact, not standing still, comes from car lots, where the new 2021 models (and some 2022s) are in. As well, the Farmers Almanac for the coming year has been released. Before you sigh in relief however, the Almanac predicts something described as a “Snow Train” for the winter across the Canadian prairies … which doesn’t sound great. Perhaps the annual reading of the pig spleen in Maple Creek will provide better news. A look ahead City council weighs the new long-term Municipal Development Plan in a public hearing on Monday during its regular meeting. A new plan for the city-owned parking lot at 603 First St., will also be revealed. 100 years ago An overnight fire whipped up by high winds destroyed 15 businesses in Grassy Lake, the News reported in early October 1920. Damage was considered to be at least $70,000 as a fire brigade could not save two restaurants, the Union Bank, the town hall, livery stables and garage among other structures. In the Hat, the Retail Merchants Association of Medicine Hat pushed local store owners to continue observing the half-holiday Wednesday system. The Monarchs faced the Calgary Hustlers in the opening games of the Alberta Provincial Championship series. A grand jury investigation opened in Chicago to look into allegations the 1919 World Series had been fixed by gamblers. Locally, Wm. Cousins published an essay of reminisces in the News about setting up shop at the town’s founding. The corner stone of the Gordon Memorial Church in Redcliff was laid. It had been commissioned in 1914 but delayed for the duration of the Great War. Collin Gallant covers city politics and a variety of topics for the News. He can be reached at 403-528-5664, or by emailing cgallant@medicinehatnews.com 37-36
