Alberta Senator Doug Black (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Troy Gillard

“TO ME IT’S JUST SENSIBLE"

Alberta Senator Black calls for post-pandemic economic recovery council

Apr 23, 2020 | 1:47 PM

A senator from Alberta is calling on the Prime Minister to form a new council to look at the future of Canada’s economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Doug Black says the mandate of the Canadian Economic Recovery Council he is asking Justin Trudeau to create would be simple.

“Come up with a plan to ensure that our economy gets on its feet as soon as possible,” he explains.

Black cites previous federal councils for NAFTA negotiations, as well as Alberta’s own Economic Recovery Council, as examples of why it would be beneficial for Ottawa to create the new one he is suggesting.

“It’s a model that governments have used literally for decades, and it’s a good model,” he suggests. “To me it’s just sensible. Get the best minds thinking together to solve problems.”

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The senator is confident that Canada will get through the pandemic but that no matter what, the country’s economy is going to be dramatically different.

“I’m very much of the view that we need to be planning now to ensure we can take advantage of opportunities and minimize risks going forward so as we can fairly quickly get our economy back firing the way we want,” he says. “We need some folks who are economists, who understand the agriculture business, the energy business, supply chains, which is obviously really important, the tech industry and the role it’s going to continue to play on an enhanced basis. Innovation is really important as well, as is infrastructure. I would also want someone representing labour and First Nations.”

Overall, Black says he commends the federal government for its response to the pandemic but feels more needs to be done to address Alberta’s needs.

“The energy industry, you see it in Red Deer and central Alberta, is completely on its knees. And while COVID-19 is part of that, for sure, and the fighting globally around pricing is a part of that, a very large part is that the federal government has had very aggressive policies against the energy industry for the last three or four years,” he says. “The government set out to weaken, if not destroy, the oil and gas industry.”

Black says the recently announced $1.7B to help cleanup orphaned wells is a nice start, but not nearly enough.

“Albertans and Canadians have generously supported, for example, the auto bailout in 2008, and Newfoundland (and Labrador) after closing its fisheries. Canadians are generous and at this moment in time I am hoping that Canadian generosity, and foresightedness, will understand that the energy industry needs more support.

“If the energy industry in Alberta does not thrive, Canada is going to lose out,” he added.

At the same time, Black says economic diversification for Alberta will be important moving forward, and that one way or another Alberta will land back on its feet.

“We are of course going to get through this. In Alberta we are extremely resourceful, creative, innovative and tough. We’re either going to get through it with the help of our friends, and the Government of Canada, or we’re going to get through it alone.”