Ty Christian Wilson makes it to Itunes!

  Super exciting day on the farm! Ty has finished his album and its now on itunes for you to enjoy! Even though he's my brother I'd still tell you if its really crappy, but I aint gonna lie... He's good... Real good! Check it out!!
TCW itunes link

He also has a facebook page if you wanna stay in the loop or just be really entertainet the kids funny!
TCW FB fan page

Summer Synergy Jackpot Championship

Its been a great day one at the summer syunergy! Congrats to Dakota Townsend for Grand Champion Jackpot female and Cole Dodgeson for Reserve, check out this link ustream video to watch the video

Summer Synergy

    Well Folks, Its been a great run but after a month of voting we have a hoodie winner!
Tuck (A.K.A. Captain American) has won with 29 votes, Sarah and Coleman came in second with 13, Jamie-Rae and Kelly came in third with 12. I'll tell ya one that that handsome devil better enjoy his hoodie shipped all the way from Canada!

   On Wednesday we head to the Summer Synergy!
**Olds Agricultural Society and Calgary Stampede are committed to provide a collaborative venue to showcase youth in agriculture by combining traditional elements with innovative approaches for personal achievement and development. This will increase inter-breed interaction, avoid duplication, improve financial sustainability, engage the public and enhance the profile of rural lifestyle and primary production.
This new youth livestock program is known as Summer Synergy!**

 Of course we have to thank our sponsors, everyone knows without them showcases such as this wouldn't be possible!
So a huge thanks to Calgary Stampede Foundation, ConocoPhilips, Ted & Enid Jansen, UFA, Olds College, RBC Foundation, Future Ag (Kubota), Meyers Norris Penny, Mountain View County, Westway Farms & Olds Agricultural Society!

Summer Synergy

2011 Facts:

5 Supreme Champions

18 Breed Champions

48 Scholarship Recipients

350 Participants

600 Head of Livestock

$60,000 in Scholarships
Partnership Investment

= Priceless


   Now if your looking at this and wonder,
How Can I Participate?
Synergy is proud to showcase youth who:
Have Beef, Dairy, Sheep & Heavy Horse
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Are a rural youth advocate Are a young livestock producer aged 21 and under

􀂃

Want to increase scholarship opportunities

􀂃

Want to meet new people and be with old friends

􀂃

Love beef, dairy, sheep and draft horse competition

􀂃

then join us at Synergy


  If you'd like to come down and check out some events in person you're more than welcome! Check out the Synergy Schedule for times of events, and if you can't make 'er then I got you covered. Click the "Grey's channel" tab on the top of the page to watch a live stream of events (I can't promise to cover them all as I will have cattle there to keep care of, but I'll try my hardest)!

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Summer Synergy

Alrighty everybody it's the end of the road! The blogging competition is over however check back in on the "Grey's Channel" tab from the 11-16, I'll have a live stream up and running of the Summer Synergy Livestock show. It'll feature many of the competitions! So for those of you who can't make it, or just want to know how these cattle shows work Keep checking in! I'll have times posted once I have further knowledge of a time schedule!

Wray Ranch Adventures

Growing up an all beef farm girl, I realized I know nothing of other agricultural industries. After getting some valuable crop information from Trigg Pittman, I had the privilege to adventured to some more young farmers yards! I can tell ya' one thing for sure, the future of Agriculture is looking bright! 

first I got an introduction the pigs

Then the chickens!

Are Cows Green?-Absolutely Agriculture

Are Cows Green?

Beef and the environment: working together more than you thought.

My love for cattle and agriculture was a common topic with my University of Alberta residence floor friends this year on 5 Henday. Everyone knew I loved cows. And that I flew and drove all over to go do cow-related things. But I'm not entirely sure they understood why.

I've found some pretty unique opportunities to educate.

Here's a recent Facebook wall post I received from one of my 5 Henday friends from Vancouver, Rob.

" It occurs to me that I've never heard you out when it comes to cows. I assume they're bad for the environment from all the hipster/soy/lefty stuff I read but maybe I'm wrong? I'd enjoy hearing you out over some free range organic chicken in the future."

First, I laughed at this post. Clearly Rob's a funny guy. But he also raises an important issue. The "hipster/soy/lefty stuff" he refers to are sources that show beef and agriculture in a negative light due to their environmental impact.

Often, they are largely opinion based. They also make sense to consumer. Cows make methane, methane is bad for Earth, therefore cows are bad and we should stop eating them. Logical sequence, yes? Not quite.

Myth #1: Cows are destroying the ozone layer.

Fact: The contribution by cattle to global warming that may occur in the next 50-100 years is a little less than 2% (PubMed). Methane is a byproduct of ruminant digestion, which cattle, bison, sheep, and goats carry out. Ruminant digestion makes it possible for cattle to convert food not fit for human consumption, like grasses and rejected malting barley. Cattle are responsible for about 14% of global methane emissions (EPA), but that number is declining. The more efficient cattle can be raised, the less methane they produce.

Myth #2: Modern beef cattle are far worse for the environment than those raised decades ago.

Fact: Advancements to cattle, such as how fast they grow, how much weight they gain, and how much time they need to reach market weight are accomplished through genetic selection and a lot of scientific research. Most consumers think the more modified the cow, the worse they are for the environment. 

Actually, it works the opposite way. A Washington State University study found that a pound of beef raised in 2007 used 20 percent less feed, 30 percent less land, 14 percent less water and 9 percent less fossil fuel energy than in 1977, while also generating 18 percent fewer carbon emissions. (Explore Beef- Stewardship). What this means is that fewer resources and a smaller carbon footprint are being used to give consumers more beef. In the early 1900's, it took between three to five years to produce an 843 pound beef carcass in Western Canada. Today, it takes less than 24 months.(Canadian Beef and the Environment)

Myth #3: Grass fed cattle emit far less methane.
Fact:

"Grain-fed cattle produce38% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than grass-fed cattle."

Grassfed cattle are cited in many sources as to be higher methane producers, including this Pro-Grassfed article by John Robbins. More efficient cattle will produce less methane in their lifetime. Keep in mind, there are many studies out there about methane emissions and cattle. This is one study. If you have a conflicting one, I'd like to see it.

Myth #4: Cattle don't do anything good for the environment.
Grazing cattle on non-arable land (land that cannot produce crops or be developed), think coulees and rolling hills, is a practise that ensures the land used to raise cattle could not be used for any other purpose. If we did not have cattle on this land eating the grass and walking on it, we would have large erosion and plant decay problems. Plants need to have constant regrowth in order to stay rooted in the soil, and keep the soil from blowing away.
So, what's your point?
The environmental impact of cattle does exist. But farmers and ranchers are working hard to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly each day. It is in the best interest of livestock producers to get cattle to market in a short time, using the least input, which in turn produces less gas, uses less fuel, water, and other natural resources.

I believe that when taken together, the facts prove that not raising cattle would cause greater environmental harm than raising them for meat.

What do you think?

Big thanks to Rosie Templeton for the Awesome guest blog! Check out her site Absolutely Agriculture

Ultimate Sandwich

Like every other typical day on the farm, we finally get into the house just before dark! And to fill those ever so hungry tummy's I have the Ultimate sandwich just for you!
Yep its dangerously delicious!

My Sister is the master Chicken Chef:

You chop up your chicken and toss 'er in a pan. Since we're to lazy to measure you just guess :)

So the chicken sauce consist of BBQ sauce, Ketchup, spices and some Brown Sugar=heaven

Due to the fact she can't handle "crazy vegetables" such as peppers and onions we just leave her to the meat cookin!

while you have that little batch of deliciousness cooking up you put some garlic bread in the oven.

In a seperate pan melt a good dose of butter add peppers, onions, corn and a few peas, then a splash of water, cover and cook for only a couple minutes.

I like to do the "healthy" thing, so I threw in some cinamon and nutmeg just because I can, and its the bomb! I highly recomend it. Stir that up for a few minutes then grate some mozza cheese on the top put some pepper on that and cover it again for a few minutes.

once your garlic bread is done put a dap of three cheese ranch on it, then your veggie mix and chicken.

And KABLAMOO! You have one real good sandwich!

Adventures with Trigg

As promised here's some farm adventures with Trigg Pittman!

Many apologies

So I'm gonna start off by saying so sorry for the lack of the Drayton Valley livestreaming however I was promised Internet but the manager of the facilities would not allow it. Everyone knows free advertising is terrible! Right?

Luckily to make it up to you all I've interviewed Trigg Pittman a hard core, young gunnin' two yr old farmer! So stay tuned it'll be worth it!

Branded DMM

Alright ladies and Gents,
 It's time I give you the d.l. on myself. I'm sure you've all figured out I'm a beef producer by now! However when I'm not on the farm I'm in a completely opposite world! I've been a model since I was 14 and have loved every minute of it!

I loved it so much I started making my own clothing! for now I'm just playing around making whatever I feel like.

I'll be attending Olds College in the fall for the Apparel technology program as well as getting my hands back on a volleyball, and I'm pretty darn excited! Since my parent's Miller Wilson Angus company is already rather large with the cattle, I decided once I start seriously designing clothing It'll be a sub section of M.W., Miller Wilson Clothing. Where I will try my hardest to brand the public with snazzy DMM clothing!

Now to kick start my "Branding the World DMM" I'm gonna give you the chance to win a MW hoodie!

(Don't worry boys I can make manly ones for you too)



To win all you have to do is comment with a little write up of what you do for a living and why, then have your friends vote for you in the "Get branded DMM" gadget (that'll be up after the first two comments) on the right hand side of the page. It's simple most votes win!

Cha Ching!!

    We're rich, we're rich, we're rich!!! My family consists of 247,124 farms. My family employs 20% of the Canadian population. My family owns 12,460,000 head of cattle. The greatest thing about my family is, night or day, anywhere in the country you can count on my family to give you a helping hand. My family is the Canadian beef industry.
     My own family farm Miller Wilson Angus donates an entire beef to our local food bank at least once a year if not more. Every day I constantly remind myself how lucky I am to have such an amazing group of people that are always there to support me, as my family! 
    Sadly, everyday people are faced with many life challenges. One of my Canadian Beef family members Thomas Wildman has been diagnosed with Leukemia, so as the great family we are, we need to help! Donate now to the Red & Black Baldy fundraiser! It's a very important and much needed cause!

Guest blog by Daniel Schnieder

That John Denver is Full of S#@%!!!
Hark! My fellow peers! For today I come to you with a mission, a mission to cast back the deceptions cast over our minds by a golden haired bard. For too long we’ve been content to let the waters sit placid. Today I plan to cause a stir and reveal the truths hiding under the surface of this tantalizing tune.
“Thank God I’m a Country Boy” by John Denver

Don’t let his dutch boy haircut and complete lack of fashion sense fool you. This man and his most classic of songs are folk singers equivalent of a decepticon. Unassuming and quietly comforting at first, it eases into your life with its simple charming enthusiasm. But suddenly with a confounding “CHAKKA CHAKKA!” they transform and reveal the truth.

And so as a public service I will now uncover the truths for you. In a piece I like to call (if I could quote the great Llyod Christmas)
That John Denver is Full of S@#$!
let us begin …
-”Well life on a farm is kinda laid back”

These 9 simple words that open our song are the start of a cleverly plotted out lie woven together into a lovely tapestry made to cover over the truth of the matter. I’ve been laid out on my back before yes, but by charging cattle not by a swedish masseuse. And although the beautiful bovines do resemble Olga, I wouldn’t call this R&R.

-”It’s early to rise, early in the sack”
I gotta give old Johnny boy credit, the man knows the in’s and out’s of crafting a proper lie. Half truths hold together a better lie. Well before the sun has ever even had a chance to hit the snooze button, I’m treated to a soft rapping on my door and my fathers hushed voice
“Wakey, wakey, eggs and bacey”
Having not fully escaped my dream I believe these encouraging words and stumble downstairs. And just like any drunk waking in the morning eager to gaze upon his prized princess, I too with newly acquired sober eyes and mind realize it was all but a fantasy for instead of my princess, a crusty buttered up reality lies before me

But you continue on with your work day knowing that the promise of a speedy return to recreation was given. This small spark of hope instilled in you is enough to get you started and that is all they need. Cause after all since you’re already out there feeding cows, we might as well wash them all, and since we’re washing them it would be silly not to clip their hair, and now that we’re past twilight and our sight has adjusted to the lack of light we might as well develop a complicated lever and pulley system to stop gophers from digging holes in the pasture!

-”A simple kind of life never did me no harm”

Harm is definitely a mistress you flirt with everyday on a farm. Luring you in with a bat of her big brown doe eyes, letting you get comfortable and relaxed in her sweet innocent presence, and just when you make your move …. BAM!!!

In comes her ride home with rib cracking authority! You’d think this would be enough to learn your lesson, but like the sex addled brained teenager you’ll be tempted time and time again. It’s at about the time he says this line that I’m starting to think the only thing Mr. Denver ever farmed was ants
-”When the sun’s coming up I got cakes on the griddle”
This one is true in most cases … not so much mine. I like to compare my families eating habits to that of a family of Boa constrictors. Contrary to the 3 squares meals a day we instead preferred 1 over-sized oblong meal a week. We gorge ourselves on this one meal and let it slowly digest and sustain us throughout the rest of the week

-”Yeah city folks drivin’ in a black limousine, A lotta sad people think that’s a mighty keen, Well son let me tell you exactly what I mean”
This song is starting to sound like the opening pitch line from a cult recruiting center. We’ve already glorified the country life style and now we’ve moved onto guilt you about yours. I’m almost wondering if the only beverage served at John Denver concerts wasn’t Kool-Aid.

Why it’s hard for any poor soul not to resent their fancy smancy smooth running vehicular units, and envy the stop/start Chitty Shitty Bang Bang farm trucks after listening to this merry melody. But Johnny boy does promise to enlighten us about what he means …. only to distract and bedazzle our minds with another jaunty rendition of the chorus, just like any good leader. Promises of answers to life’s woes but in actuality they just want us chanting the chorus over and over, while we hand over our “mighty keen” “Black limousine”
I realize at this point I’m starting to sound like a ranting old man, sitting on his front porch shotgun in hand yelling at passing by kids that Santa doesn’t exist and I shot the tooth fairy.

In all honesty I love everything country. The life, the music, the style, the hardships and excitements of the everyday.
-”Well I wouldn’t trade my life for diamonds or jewels”
This line says it all. Contrary to what all my previous nagging would have you believe, there is nothing in this world that could entice me to leave this all behind. Not to say that I wouldn’t relish in the wealth if presented with proper amounts of bling, but I refuse trade who I am in exchange. The farm and country is a part of who I am. It’s where I grew up and is a big part of who I am today. Farms teach you the joy’s of life, death, birth and renewal. You learn about responsibility, for yourself, your fellow man, and most of all the land that provides for you. It’s freedom, a place where you aren’t afraid to run and scream as loud and hard as you want. Freedom to explore and discover the natural world. I’ll take my hairy cattle companions over bristly bustling crowds any day. At the end of the day me and John can set aside our differences and proudly agree on one thing….
Thank God I’m a country boy!



Big thanks to Daniel for the guest blog! Dan is a comic artist but he also does AMAZING western art! check him out at smash head studios!

Young Guns

     What does Alberta Beef Producers mean to me? I was recently asked this question. Immediately, a whole lot of ideas began swarming into my head but how do I describe them to you?
     Then it hit me, Alberta Beef Producers means "life" to me! Beef and Alberta are my grassroots. This beautiful cattle country is a reflection of me and my industry. It's what my life is revolved around!

    I'm living the dream! I get to wake up to that fresh country air, walk outside to see happy baby calves running around, I can hear the birds chirping out my window right now. Sure beats the heck outta only being able to hear the buzzing of power lines and cars zipping by.

     I'm actively involved in an industry that feeds the world! Pretty rad isn't it? Have you ever thought about where that burger, fries, even the milk shake you're slurping down came from? That's right! It comes from people like me!!!

    So my friends I have a mission for you. Thank a farmer! Thank an Alberta Beef producer! Appreciate where your beef comes from and all the hard work that goes into it!

My name's Dakota Wilson, I'm a young gunnin' Alberta Beef Producer!

Grey's 7 steps to freedom!

    Most people that know me, know that my sister and I like to have a A LOT of fun! However being born a slave to my parents/cows its rather laborious to free ourselves (alright so we have it pretty easy, my parents are work horses and usually allow us to have our freedom). but alas for those of you that think cleaning your room before you're allowed to leave is stressfull, well....Grow Up! The fact is, farm kids have it tough! Luckily, after many weekends of mach speed cleaning/chore sessions, I have a 7 step program to help the average farm kid obtain freedom a whole lot faster!
1-Depending on time of arrival instantly make a game plan:
          Johnny and I arrived home the same time after work and school. This is how it all went down.
Johnny: "We goin out tonight?"
me: "Might as well! Sooooo clean our rooms or head outside first?"
Johnny: "better do chores. First we can always pretend we cleaned our rooms."
2- This is when you bust out the secret hand shake.... only cuz its fun and you look really cool! Then proceed to race outside.
3- When in a rush I do chores on my bike, due to the fact that I'm the biggest clutz. Therefore, speed walking is not my forte.
4-Once you're usual chores are complete, if there's that one extra thing your parents always do, do that right on up so they're so happy they don't have to do it that when your room fails to be clean. Then you can whip out the old "Well, sorry, I just didn't have time because I did...so on and so on"...works like a charm!
5-If you have a chance, put on supper...food always makes people happy!
6-Get outta there as fast as you can before they even have a chance to say no.
7-For good measure, on your way out do a Mario one hand in the air victory jump!

And that my friends is how you (if you're a farm kid) obtain your freedom. Even if your a city slicker, you can take a few steps outta the old Freedom book...never fails!

What the heck is a show cow?

  Cattle shows are simply another form of advertising for cattle farmers. Farmers select their finest cows, bulls and calves to attend shows because all the other farmers(a.k.a potential buyers) will be there. a Cattle show is like a trade show for animals! However the best form of advertising would be to win the show, which often comes with great prizes and free advertising!
   Losing the show isn't the end of the world either. A show is most commonly judged by one and sometimes three or more people. Therefore the same animal isn't going to win everytime because its only one persons opinion about which one takes the cake. So losing is nothing to be upset about there's still going to be people there interested in you cattle to enhance their own operation.
   Before you even get to shows you have to train your cattle. You have to halter break which is very similar to collar training a dog. Wash them and cut their hair so they look their best heading into the show. The past few days I've had some helpers come over to tie some baby calves up.


Isabella





Georgia



While the calves were tied we brushed and scratched the babies so they were calm and realized that it felt good to be tied up.



Nate one of my best helpers



Nater's calf gave him a bit of a fight



after some time he was fine.



One of the main things my family does is nickname everything. After some long deliberation between georgia and Nate I give you Brain and Petunia!



Luke was more entertained with Tuggy than the babies!















By next week we'll be heading to our first show with Petunia and her momma! Keep checking in for updates on Petunia's progress!

Taco Tuesday!!!

Guess what?? Yup!! It's Taco Tuesday!!

So I cheated, I had taco Monday...not a big deal! But for those of you still left guessing what the duece you want to make for supper..... toss a little spice in that ground beef and you gots yourself some darn fine taco meat!!

However the crutcial part of Taco Tuesday is the "beef check list". I'm a square. Hence why I'm a total nerd and make lists for everything, sooooo I dare you to go to a grocery store and get the answers to these questions:

-Where's the meat come from?
-How's it been handled?
-What's it been fed?
-Where was it processed?

I bet its gonna be rather tricky to find those answers!
It's important to eat nutritious beef. You want your beef to be stress free, produced with minimal medication, are fed a pure vegetarian diet and are treated in a humane way. The easiest way to obtain this meat is by supporting our local farms! That way you can go out and see exactly where your meat comes from. Plus, farm fresh meat tastes a billion times better than that grocery store non-sense!
Make sure your beef fits the list!

some nutrition facts:
According to nutritionists, a balanced diet is a diet that contains enough red meat, carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits, and milk and other processed products in a balanced proportion. Here is the meat nutrition facts that makes it important to be consumed.

- Protein. Red meat is a source of high quality protein needed by the body in high quantities. Proteins have an important role for health and development of the human body, repair body tissue and the formation of antibodies that fight infection. In general, 19-20 percent protein contained in meat. Meat is considered as high quality protein because it contains almost all essential amino acids. Thus, eating meat can also strengthen the immune system and fast recovery.

- Vitamins. Vitamins are the most prominent in the flesh are vitamin A, B complex and D. Vitamin A makes a good our vision, support the development of bones and teeth and maintaining skin health. Vitamin B supports the central nervous system and improving mental health. And vitamin D to increase calcium and phosphorus, which maintain bones strong and healthy teeth.

- Fat. Existing fatty acids in meat are linoleic acid and palmiotelik. These fats can prevent the body from cancer and harmful viruses. It can increase endurance of the environment and conditions are not favorable. The body also needs fat for brain development. Red meat contain no more than 5% of the total fatty acids that exist. Red meat, if the fat removed did not disrupt patterns of healthy foods and your diet program. For patients with heart disease, red meat remains safe placed in the daily diet in limited quantities and according to your dietician recommendations.

- Mineral. Another meat nutrition facts is it’s contains a number of minerals, especially rich in iron, zinc and selenium. The body needs iron to form hemoglobin necessary for transporting oxygen from the lungs to other body parts. Iron are also important for women and for children’s cognitive development. Zinc increases metabolism and helps in tissue formation. While selenium help in solving the fat and other chemicals in the body.
(meat nutrition facts)

Alberta and the Oil Sands

Although this article isn't about beef I find it extremely well written. Everyone should read it!!

 
This is the typical Alberta view on our relationship with the ROC (rest
of Canada ), excluding B.C. and Saskatchewan of course.
Fascinating article by Lisa Corbella of the Calgary Herald.
 
Something has to give !!
 
Quebec and the Fairy Godmother
 
Today, let's have some fun and play Fairy Godmother to
Quebec . Let's grant the province the wish it articulated in Copenhagen.. Wave
the magic wand and poof, wish granted. Shut down Alberta 's oilsands,except,
since it's Quebec making the wish, we have to call it tarsands, even
though it's not tar they use to run their Bombardier planes, trains and
Skidoos.
 
Ah, at last! The blight on Canada 's reputation shut down.
All those dastardly workers from across Canada living in Fort McMurray ,
Calgary and Edmonton out of jobs, including those waitresses, truck
drivers, nurses, teachers, doctors, pilots, engineers etc. They can all go on
Employment insurance like Ontario autoworkers and Quebec parts makers!
Closing down Alberta 's oil industry would immediately stop
the production of 1.8 million barrels of oil a day. Supply and demand
being what it is, oil prices will go up and therefore the cost at the pump
will go up, too, increasing the cost of everything else.
 
But lost jobs in Alberta and across the country along with
higher gas prices are a small price to pay to save the world and not
"embarrass" Quebecers on the world stage. Not to worry though, Saudi
Arabia, Libya and Nigeria can come to the rescue. You know, the guys who pump
money into al-Qaida and help Osama bin Laden target those Van Doos fighting in
Afghanistan . Bloody oil is so much nicer than dirty tarsands oil.
 
Shutting down the oilsands will reduce Canada 's greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions by 38.4 Mt (megatonnes). Hooray! It's so fun to be a
Fairy Godmother! While that sounds like a lot, Canada only produces two
per cent of the world's man-made GHGs and the oilsands only produce five per
cent of Canada 's total emissions or 0.1 per cent of the world's
emissions.
 
By comparison, the U.S. produces 20.2 per cent of the world's
GHG emissions, 27 per cent of which comes from coal-fired
electricity.
 
The 530-square-kilometre piece of land currently disturbed
by the oilsands (which is smaller than the John F. Kennedy Space Center
at Cape Canaveral , Fla. at 570 square kilometres) must be reclaimed by
law and will return to Alberta 's 381,000 square kilometres of boreal forest, a
huge carbon sink.
 
Quebec , of course, has clean hydro power, but more than
13,000 square kilometres were drowned for the James Bay hydroelectric
project, permanently removing that forest from acting as a carbon sink.
 
But Fairy Godmother is digressing all over the place. While
the oilsands only produce five per cent of Canada 's GHGs, it
contributes much more to Canada 's economy. After all, oil and gas make up
one-quarter of the value on the TSX alone. Alberta is also the largest net contributor
per capita by far to Confederation and there are only two more -- B.C. and
Ontario .
 
Quebec hasn't made a net contribution to the rest of Canada
for a very long time. This is not to be critical (after all, Fairy
Godmothers never criticize), it's just a fact. In 2009, Albertans paid
$40.46 billion in income, corporate and other taxes to the federal
government and received back just $19.35 billion in services and goods from
the feds. That means the rest of Canada got $21.1 billion from
Albertans or $5,742 for each and every Alberta man, woman and child. In 2007 (the
last year national figures are available), Alberta sent a net contribution of
$19.49 billion to the ROC or $5,553 per Albertan -- more than three
times what every Ontarian contributes at $1,757. Quebecers, on the other hand,
each received $627 net or a total of $8 billion, money which was
designed to help "equalize" social programs across the country. Except, that's not
what is happening. Quebec has more generous social programs like (nearly)
free university tuition (paid for mostly by Albertans) and cheap provincial
day care (paid for mostly by Albertans).
 
But in this Fairy Godmother world, poof, those delightful
unequal programs have now disappeared! Quel dommage!
 
The July 2009 Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI)
report states that between 2008 and 2032, the oilsands will account for
172,000 person-years of employment in Ontario during the construction
phase, plus 640,000 for operations over the 25-year period. For Quebec , the
oilsands will account for 84,000 person-years of employment during the
construction phase, plus 292,000 for operations over the 25-year period.
 
In total, the oilsands are expected to add $1.7 trillion to
Canada 's GDP over the next 25 years.
 
Wave wand and Poof, Jobs, gone! So, now that the oil
industry has shut down and left Alberta , Alberta has become a have-not
province and so has every other province. Equality at last! Hugo Chavez
will be so pleased.
 
Meeting our Copenhagen targets suddenly looks possible, as
most of us can't afford to drive our cars or buy anything but
necessities, so manufacturers have closed their doors and emissions are way down.
 
The dream of many Quebecers to form their own nation and
separate from Canada has died at last. Alas, in Alberta , separatist
sentiment has risen dramatically, citizens vote to separate and the oil
and gas industry returns.
 
Albertans start to pocket that almost $6,000 for each person
that used to get sent elsewhere and now their kids get free tuition.
Fairy Godmother's work is done. Wish granted. Quebecers must now sign up for a
foreign worker visas to work in Alberta to send their cheques back home
so junior can start saving up to pay for college.
 
Licia Corbella is editorial page editor of The Calgary Herald.