February 5, 2007 - There are two things that I want to get across this morning, before expanding later in the day.

First, I want to say that I severely underestimated the anger, alienation and fear that still resides in Alberta as a result of the NEP. I don't believe that there has been any one issue that has garnered as much response from my readership as the content of my commentary from last Friday. My surprise is clearly an indication of not only my youth, but also my lack of knowledge about the sentiments of Albertans...I am smart enough to acknowledge both. The provincial jurisdiction over natural resources is far beyond an economic repository for Alberta residents - it is a way of life, and I suppose that the manner in which we dote on la belle province in terms of lifestyle should be applied to Alberta in its own way. I received a couple of emails that I will post excerpts from, just to display the passion and intelligence of those that lived through NEP, and who can now relate that experience to our federation.

Secondly, I sincerely believe that Mark Holland's comments to Charles Adler were inspired by the desire for resource management in an environmental context, having nothing to do with aspirations to piggyback financially anymore than the federal government already does. That being said, if it is true that Mr. Holland stated this:

"If they refuse to work with us...there will be consequences,"

during an interview with radio host Dave Rutherford, then that kind of language is completely unacceptable. I will reserve judgement for when I have confirmed this accusation, but once again, I will never support these kinds of words coming out of the mouth of an MP, regardless of where he or she comes from.

We are all Canadians, and we need to help each other out, and foster success in every region of the country. I am going to discuss this in a follow-up post today. Until then...

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