There is much to reflect on as we begin 2020. Conservatives across the country reduced the once-held Liberal majority to a minority government, gained 22 seats, and won the popular vote. Despite not forming government, we have started the 43rd parliament by advocating for better fiscal management, for our oil and gas industry, and for the principles of good governance.
    2019 was highlighted by a series of Liberal missteps including the SNC-Lavalin scandal. The construction giant, SNC-Lavalin, was accused of illegal activities including the bribing of foreign government officials. At the center of the coverup was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He put the independence of Canada’s judiciary at risk and was found to have clearly violated ethics laws.
    In Alberta especially, this last year saw the continued struggle of hardworking individuals held back by Liberal economic policies. The carbon-tax has led to higher costs of everyday essentials, bills C-48 and C-69 have destroyed confidence in the energy industry. We now have an economic environment that has led to the most personal bankruptcies in the last decade, and a scenario where almost half of Canadians are only $200 a month from insolvency.
    Moving forward in 2020, the Official Opposition will hold the Prime Minister and his Liberal government to account for their out of control spending and reckless economic policies. This sky-rocketing debt, higher job losses, and declining business investment drives Canada’s Conservatives to champion our vital industries such as Canadian agriculture and oil and gas industries. We understand what it takes to enable hardworking people to prosper, promoting policies that will lower taxes, responsible spending, to make life more affordable for everyday Canadians. You can be sure we will be proactive in helping Canadians.
    As 2019 draws to a close, once again thank you, everyone in Battle River-Crowfoot, for your support, trust, and the opportunity to serve you in Ottawa. Throughout the election and every day since, I have worked diligently to make sure your voice is heard in Ottawa. I can assure you that as we enter a new year, I will do everything I can to continue fighting for you.  
    In closing, this journey would not be possible if it were not for the efforts of so many. So again, I thank you. As we enter this new year, even though we face challenges, I trust the best is yet to come.
    If you have any questions or concerns regarding this column you are encouraged to write Damien at 4945-50th Street, Camrose, Alberta, T4V 1P9, call toll-free 1-800-665-4358, text 403.575-5625, or e-mail damien.kurek@parl.gc.ca. You can also stay up to date with what Damien is up to by following him on social media @dckurek.

    Wheatland County passed its controversial Alberta First Resolution, although the support was not overwhelming, and it was without its most striking demand, to call for a vote for separation.
    Councillor Jason Wilson introduced this resolution at a meeting on Tuesday, November 5. This is a resolution to take the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) to lobby the provincial government. This resolution asks for taking action on several issues including withdrawing from the Canadian Pension Plan, to collect personal income tax, remove equalization from the constitution, senate reform, replace the RCMP and take control of immigration.
    At its council meeting on Tuesday, December 16 Wheatland Council heard from several residents arguing in favour and against this resolution. Opponents questioned the jurisdiction of a county council addressing provincial and federal matters. While proponents argued it is important to take a firm stand.
    Councillor Wilson reacted to one presenter who argued this is a partisan issue and questioned whether councillors were voting on their own personal beliefs or what their constituents wished.
    “I ran for my council seat in 2017 on certain values, conservative values. I was raised as a conservative, not under a party, but I have conservative values. I believe in limited government, I believe in fiscal accountability,” he said.
    “When I was running I went door-to-door and said I am a small “c” conservative and if you don’t agree with those values, I am not your guy… I will stand up for conservative values and I will vote based on those values.”
    Councillor Glenn Koester had a different take.
    “I am conservative and have been all my life… but that is personally. I don’t come into this room and vote because I am conservative, I don’t make decisions for the county because it is a conservative thing to do,” he said. “… I come in here and listen to my ratepayers and my ratepayers say they want better gravel roads, they are deteriorating. We worked with staff to reclaim 80 kilometres of roads, we have added two grader divisions and the complaint level has gone down. We’ve done paving and I have not done it because I’m conservative or for my personal values or because I want a paved road by my house? No. I listen to my ratepayers and that’s how I vote.”
    Reeve Amber Link presented the results of an online survey regarding the resolution. Out of 144 respondents, 140 identified as Wheatland residents. It showed that 31 per cent of respondents supported the resolution, while 69 per cent did not.
    Council first voted to amend the resolution to strike out “If the federal government does not deal with these demands in good faith; If they block, hinder or otherwise prevent Alberta from exercising its rights as outlined above, the Government of Alberta will hold a referendum with a “clear question”, as defined by the Clarity Act on the secession of Alberta from the Canadian Confederation during the 31st Alberta General Election, which must be held between March 1st and May 31st, 2023.”      
    This motion passed. Council then voted on the amended resolution with a recorded vote. It passed with a vote of 4-3, with councillors Wilson, Tom Ikert, Scott Klassen, and Donna Biggar voting in favour and councillors Ben Armstrong and Glenn Koester, and Reeve Link voting opposed.
    This could now go to its district to be endorsed by other member municipalities, or it can be presented as an individual resolution.
    If the resolution passes a vote and is endorsed by the RMA, it will be entered into the RMA’s advocacy strategy and be effective for three years.