Senator Black’s second virtual tour kicks off Tuesday in Slave Lake

Black says during the first tour, he heard lots about Albertans ability to remain compassionate and resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, and hopes to hear more of the same during the second round.

“I’m hoping to hear that the communities are hanging on, that they’re going to be able to manage their budgetary pressures over the next two or three months until we get vaccinated, they’re going to be able to basically hold the stitching of their communities together because we’re at the end of the race now, please God,” says Black.

“And I’m hoping to hear that this resilience that I heard about before Christmas is still in place, that people aren’t giving up. We recognize that we’re almost at the end of this terrible, terrible marathon, and we will cross the line.”

“That’s what I’m hoping to hear, and that’s certainly what I’ll be encouraging communities because that’s what I believe. We cannot give up now, because we’re very near the end.”

He says working together to get through this tough time needs to be the focus for Albertans, adding that as an elected official, Black will signal that he will do what he can to support families, businesses and communities.

Black says there were some issues that came up in his first tour, mainly around the economy, mental health initiatives, and broadband services. Black took those issues to Ottawa, where he advocated for Albertans to get their share of investments into related programs and infrastructure projects, and he says he will be doing the same with any issues that come up during this tour.

Black’s tour begins in the Town of Slave Lake, and though there have been recent developments regarding issues surrounding the MLA that represents the town, Black says that wasn’t what led to his decision to start there. He says he had planned months in advance to visit Slave Lake, adding that it’s been a while since he’s been there, and it’s an important part of the province that he wants to visit.

However, he does say the conversations will likely turn to the stresses felt between the community and MLA Pat Rehn, who was recently removed from the UCP caucus, but Black says there’s nothing he can do about the ongoing dispute.

He does say though, that elected officials need to act responsibly and be there to actively represent their constituents.

“All I can say is if you put up your hand to represent people, as I did, I am an elected senator, that is why I’m doing my tour, because I committed to keep in touch, I committed to work for Albertans, and I expect anyone else who gets into public service to do the same.”

After his stop in Slave Lake, Black will visit local leaders and organizations in Drumheller on January 26, Lacombe on the 27th, and Calgary on February 16 and 17.

Along with these stops, Black is planning an agricultural tour of Alberta sometime in the fall, barring further COVID-19 restrictions.

“[Agriculture is] such an important industry for us, and has been historically overlooked. So I’m going to spend, I would say three, four, maybe as long five days touring the province. I can’t do that virtually, I need to have boots on the ground for that.”

Black had also considered opening up a platform to speak with the general public during the virtual tour, but the plan never came to fruition. He will, however, resume regular Facebook Live appearances when he returns to Ottawa.

by Liam Verster

Senator Black’s second virtual tour kicks off Tuesday in Slave Lake

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