U.S. is harnessing its economic opportunities

In Canada, it’s ridiculous the bounty beneath our feet remains untouched

Having just spent four days in the eastern United States, taking part in many conversations, there are two observations that one makes while there.

First is the obvious gulf between the two political parties and the passion that both sides feel for their own side. One side is adamant that the current administration has to go and the other believes that it must win decisively.

We have that in Canada, as well, especially in Alberta, but the level of rhetoric and the vitriol is more than

I think any of us feel in this country.

Nonetheless, there is one thing that both sides seem to agree on and that is that this administration has unleashed the power and the energy of American industry, and there is huge pride in the current state of the U.S. economy. Over and over, I heard references made to energy self-sufficiency, housing starts, vehicle sales, low unemployment rates and other issues typical of a dynamic and robust period.

The “Buy American” slogan and the investment in military hardware are both things that seem to have broad general support and, obviously, that is one of the challenges for the Democrats who must struggle with how to identify what they would do differently.

Compare this to Canada, where billions of dollars in major projects have been abandoned due to lack of support from our leaders in Ottawa.

It is not just in Alberta that concerns about the direction of our economy are discussed. As this newspaper reported this week, Canada is seeing a slowdown in manufactured goods, retail sales, GDP growth and a general belief that things are not getting better.

While we dither about initiatives that could create thousands of jobs, pander to protesters and ignore court orders, we miss opportunities to truly provide not only the standards of living and social care that Canadians want but also we miss opportunities to share our talents and resources with the world.

Rather than being a leader in the western world, setting the standards in so many areas of education, health care and industry, we are increasingly looked at with bewilderment by many countries that can only dream of our opportunities.

Does a seat on the UN Security Council really mean that much to Canadians who want to have good jobs and better lives for their families?

It does not matter whether the Energy East pipeline would have ever been built, or whether the Teck project was viable, what matters is that instead of working with these companies to encourage their developments, our governments seemed determined to work against them with changing rules, delayed decision-making and a negative approach to progress.

In the meantime, our leaders run around the globe like dancing dervishes hoping that their activity will result in someone dropping a few coins in their cups, while the fortune at their feet remains untouched.

It is a ridiculous situation. George Brookman is chairman and company ambassador for West Canadian Digital Imaging Inc.