Abraham Lincoln once began a famous address to the politicians and
citizens of Illinois with these words: \u201cIf we could first know where we
are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to
do, and how to do it.\u201d Such words would be similarly appropriate if
spoken at the outset of a conference on Alberta's future, to be held in
Edmonton in early February.

Increasing numbers of Albertans are asking key questions concerning
the political state and direction of their province. Will the Progressive
Conservative administration, long in office, be able to reinvigorate
itself under Premier Stelmach? Will the Wildrose Alliance Party under
its new leader Danielle Smith be able to mature into a governing party.

Is the unique pattern of Alberta provincial politics about to re-assert
itself \u2013 a pattern characterized by long periods of one-party
governance during which the governing party remakes itself several
times, periods of political upheaval as Albertans become seized with a
new idea and/or the need for change, and periodic replacement of the
governing party (if it fails to renew itself), not by its traditional
opposition, but by something and someone new?

supporters of the Stelmach government, the Wildrose Alliance, other
opposition parties, unaligned policy experts and grassroots Albertans.
Representation will be balanced between north and south and rural
and urban \u2013 the two fault lines that currently threaten to divide Alberta
politics.

Strenuous efforts will be made to convince the political players \u2013 in
government, opposition, and unaligned \u2013 that the intent of the
Conference is neither to denigrate nor advance any particular political
interest but to provide a unique opportunity for attendees of all

Question Two: How well is Alberta performing as a province in the following key areas of vital importance to Albertans and to Canada? (Attendees, after appropriate discussion, will be asked to

development of the energy sector (renewable as well as non-
renewable) along with other key sectors and the knowledge
economy.