On the Road to Recovery

BY SHANE WENZEL

Once upon a time in 2020, we were blindsided by COVID-19, for which we were woefully unprepared. The good thing is ‘Once Upon a Time Never Happens Again.”

We now need to quickly find a pathway forward and move down the Road to Recovery. No, we are not waiting until September to begin, as some have suggested!

With life under lockdowns, mixed messages from the medical community and negative media faulting political leaders, it seems the pandemic’s creation was easier than the knowledge on how to cope with it. From experience, we developed a Flood Mitigation Plan, so let’s put a Pandemic Mitigation Plan in place as we recover. The Plan should be a cooperative initiative that considers all aspects of economic and mental fallout along with an intelligent medical response.

So, what is the Road to Recovery, and what would it include? The initial days of recovery will indeed be challenging with a vast number of issues to address. Despite all the gloomy language in our traditional media, and geopolitical anxiety, the vision of growth must remain focused on our economy. If we do not address the economy first, the rest of the recovery will be even more difficult.

I think we can all agree we need to begin by stopping the media’s persistent ‘COVID chatter’ and begin talking about some of the many good things promised by the UCP, which they have managed to move forward on during these difficult 15 months. The following is just a sample of what to expect.

1. They have eliminated thousands of regulations through the Red Tape Reduction program. One regulation always leads to others, which creates costs to your industry and to consumers.

2. A referendum vote on reducing equalization payments will be on the October 18 municipal election ballot. Alberta has contributed almost $95 billion to Canada in recent years, compared to Ontario’s $58 billion during the same time, for example.

3. Investigation is underway for an Alberta Pension Plan. Alberta has contributed 16.7 per cent of total contributions to the National Plan, but only benefited 10.8 per cent to retirees. This equates to a net contribution to the CPP of $2.9B in 2017 despite a weak economy and $27.9 billion over a decade. For context, over that same period, Ontario’s contribution with their much larger population was $7.4 billion.

4. In terms of COVID relief, a new Alberta Jobs Grant program of $25,000 per employee has been made available to employers for hiring and training 22,000 unemployed Albertans and can help kickstart new graduate careers. An expanded program is offered when hiring the disabled.

I will have to rely on the media to keep you fairly informed of the many other plans underway, as I have to keep to 500 words.

The 2021 Calgary Stampede is on schedule, along with the boost it will bring to our hospitality industry. While it will be downscaled, it is a step towards getting back to our ‘old normal’ for which I am thrilled.

Shane Wenzel is president of the Shane Homes Group of Companies. Follow him @shanewenzel on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.His column is written for the Alberta Enterprise Group, @AEG on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

NEW CEO HAS EXCITING VISION FOR THIS CULTURAL INSTITUTION

Heritage Park is recognized as one of Alberta’s premier tourist attractions and one of North America’s largest and most successful living history museums. For almost 60 years, Heritage Park has brought to life stories refl ecting Western Canada’s diverse cultural landscape. Every year, thousands of people from across Alberta and around the world come to Heritage Park Historical Village to step back in history in fun and interesting ways.

Th is historical institution’s new CEO has an exciting vision for the path ahead. “I am honoured to have joined such an iconic tourist and family destination,” says Lindsey Galloway, President and CEO. “Heritage Park has always been a place where our interpretation of the past helps defi ne our aspirations for the future. A priority for me over the next few months is listening to our many stakeholders to hear how they think Heritage Park can continue to be relevant in connecting the past to the future.”

Galloway joined in late 2020 as President and CEO of Heritage Park Society and Th e Heritage Park Foundation bringing executive experience from world-class attractions including Calgary Stampede and Calgary Zoo, as well as leadership roles at Edmonton Valley Zoo, Edmonton City Artifacts & Archives and City Arts Programming, Canadian Airlines and RBC Financial Group.

“My focus is to build on our success and bring a new vibrancy to this important institution. I’m preparing our organization for change and new growth,” continues Galloway. “Historical storytelling isn’t static—stories are constantly evolving with fresh interpretation and diverse perspectives. Similarly, Heritage Park must evolve and change with our community. An engaging historical adventure can inspire exciting possibilities about the future.”

Committed to supporting Albertans through COVID by off ering an outdoor experience on their 127 acres of lush parkland while following Alberta Health guidelines—a fun, safe way to be with family and friends while learning more about Western Canada’s unique heritage.

More information about exciting things you can enjoy at Heritage Park: www.HeritagePark.ca

Lindsey Galloway President and CEO Heritage Park

Heritage Park is a much-loved part of our community for so many people—and a notable economic driver for our province,” says Galloway. “Albertans may not realize that beyond the signifi cant tourism revenue we help generate, we are a major meeting place for school groups, corporate gatherings, weddings and cultural events. And we employ over 100 full-time and 400 part-time Calgarians, many of whom fi nd their fi rst work experience with us. ” _______

Heritage Park also has up to 1,800 volunteers annually who play important roles in helping people step back in time.

Make summer histori