BY SHONDELL SABAD, SENIOR STRATEGIC ADVISOR AT THE ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of external forces—the looming U.S. tariffs, another 20% carbon tax hike on April 1st, and years of short-sighted policy decisions that have left Alberta more vulnerable than we should be. But dwelling on what we can’t change doesn’t move us forward. Instead, we should focus on what we can control—our businesses, our industries, and the policies we influence at home.

Alberta’s entrepreneurial spirit has never been about waiting for permission. This province has always led the way in energy, agriculture, and manufacturing—not just through grit, but through innovation. While policymakers focus on constraints, Alberta businesses continue to find ways to adapt and grow.

• Tech is everywhere – Alberta is redefining innovation, not just in software and AI, but in energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. Companies like E3 Lithium and Genics Inc. are proving that innovation goes beyond traditional “tech” sectors. Read more about how Alberta is innovating beyond tech.
• Leverage Alberta’s strengths – The world still needs Alberta’s resources, whether that’s energy, agriculture, or advanced manufacturing. Expanding trade relationships beyond the U.S. and reducing interprovincial barriers should be a priority.
• Demand smarter local policies – We are entering a municipal and federal election cycle. Where is the push for economic growth in policy discussions? Instead of endless debates about urban density and climate mandates, we need leadership that prioritizes business and investment.
• Invest where it matters – For too long, governments have spent freely without building the infrastructure and long-term economic drivers we need. It’s time to push for policies that support business growth rather than stifling it.

AEG President Catherine Brownlee recently wrote about how Alberta is innovating beyond tech (link here – Alberta: Redefining Innovation Beyond Tech – Business In Edmonton).  If Alberta wants to thrive, we must move past frustration and keep taking decisive action, just as Albertans have done for generations. The real question isn’t what’s being done to us—it’s what are we doing for ourselves?