Alberta’’s Leadership Role in Confederation (Part 1)

With Alberta’s increased wealth and influence comes increased leadership responsibility on the national stage. But how should that leadership be exercised, and in what direction? Will Alberta lead with respect to fiscal responsibility and tax reform? making the transition from non-renewable to renewable energy resources? marrying environmental conservation with market-driven economic development? reforming healthcare? strengthening national unity through inter-provincial agreements? And how should Alberta lead – by example? by “going on its own”? by challenging the defects in federalism and national policy and proposing solutions? by building firewalls or bridges? Mr. Manning will raise such questions, invite responses from the audience and provide his own view on how these questions might best be answered. Speaker: Preston Manning Mr. Manning served as a Member of Parliament from 1993 to 2001. He founded two new political parties – the Reform Party of Canada and the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance – both of which became the official Opposition in Parliament. Mr. Manning served as Leader of the Opposition from 1997 to 2000 and was also his party’s critic for Science and Technology. Since retirement from Parliament in 2002, Mr. Manning has released a book entitled Think Big. He has also served as a Senior Fellow of the Canada West Foundation and as a Distinguished Visitor at the University of Calgary and University of Toronto. Mr. Manning is currently President and CEO of the Manning Centre for Building Democracy and a Senior Fellow of the Fraser Institute.