Alberta, we’re on the cusp of something incredible.
Wellington Holbrook
President and CEO, Vancity Credit Union - Transformer, Innovator...
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about Alberta’s “story” — how we define ourselves as a province and as a people. This period of great change in which we currently find ourselves offers us a chance to reinvent ourselves as Albertans, and tell a different story than the one we have been telling ourselves over the last decade. Everything is changing—but it’s changing for the better.
The oil price collapse in 2014 and 2015 left a permanent mark on us as a province, and it’s taken us some years to start recovering from that very real shock. Doubt crept into our minds, and we began to question if a brighter future was possible
These days, it feels like we’re getting our mojo back.?
After all, we’re not the first province to undergo a massive economic transition. British Columbia endured it in the 1990s. Ontario has largely moved beyond the days of its “Rust Belt” to thrive again.? These provinces overcame economic hardship. They adapted. They moved forward. And we can too.?
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Here in Alberta, we’re on the cusp of something great.
Just look at the diversity and potential in Alberta’s economy these days. We’re becoming a destination market for filmmaking, media and related creative industries. More and more tech companies are choosing to headquarter in the province. Hiring intent in Alberta remains strong, and increasing numbers of people are flocking to the province to live.?
At connectFirst, we believe in a brighter future, and the people who are working so hard to build it. As a business owner, it takes courage to look forward and invest in growth. We’re seeing that courage every day with our member businesses, and want to foster more of it. So we’re going all in on supporting small and medium-sized businesses, and building our own expertise to be able to better support these members. Our corporate banking team is participating in some of the largest projects taking place in Alberta right now.? We’re continuing to support individual Albertans as they build their futures, too.?
Optimism is a state of mind. As Albertans, we need to do a better job of telling the great stories of what’s happening here in the province. We need to start believing in our future—and in ourselves.
Investment Professional
2 年You look busy while having your coffee...Alberta entrepreneurs should be happy you've embraced a non-Bank Financial avenue for funding to create good competition at reasonable rates. Better for the Financial Sector in Canada.
Strategic Initiatives and Business Development Partnerships for Non-Profits
2 年'Getting our mojo back" - I like that. Inspiring post Wellington!
Advisor, Philosopher, Banker. Always learning.
2 年It's definitely great to see all the pivoting and multi industry investment happening in Alberta these last 2 years. It's been challenging for sure but as someone who lived in Alberta for a long time before life took me elsewhere I think it's really the corner turning in being known as a one industry province. This will be critical for the long term success of the province????