As I sit to write this on the afternoon of Mother’s Day, I have the rare opportunity to reflect in solitude and silence over the state of our world. This reflection brings me back to my motivation to enter public life – an entrance that was hesitant to say the least – and I think about the heart of my “why” which continues to be a deeply-held desire to establish the strongest possible foundation in Alberta upon which future generations will thrive. As a mother, this motivation is what drives me to serve every day. I am eternally grateful for the generations who went before me and left Alberta in good stead and I am determined to do the same.
So, as I think about these last 15 months full of challenges, from the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic to economic collapse, I think about my wish for our beloved province and her people and I know there’s work ahead. My wish for you is health and freedom….my wish is for community and kindness, for citizens to come together right across our province in a determined effort to make her the very best she can be. That determined spirit is what I see in Alberta and sits at the core of my love for this province and my gratitude for the privilege to call Alberta my home.
I know we are in a tough spot and I know there is suffering out there. My heart breaks for the families that have lost a loved one to COVID-19 and I don’t have words to adequately express my gratitude for the health care and frontline workers who have kept us safe and soldiered on throughout this tiring pandemic. My heart goes out to business owners who are on the brink of collapse. What I hope you will all hear today is that the finish line is in sight….what I hope you hear is that our path to recovery with COVID-19 restrictions behind us is within our grasp. I will quote a constituent who wisely proclaimed it is time to ask, “how can I help?”
You can help by being patient, by following restrictions for just a little bit longer, by spreading kindness and gratitude, and refraining from polarizing comments and by getting your vaccine – I am thankful to say I got my first dose on Saturday. We all want to get back to normal and the quickest way to do that is to be a part of the solution so that health care workers can find some ease, businesses can reopen, places of worship can fill their sanctuaries in praise and our beloved Alberta can recover and thrive. I am committed to doing whatever I can to assist in recovery and I hope you are too.
I will be sending out a regular newsletter next week which will provide another update including curriculum and COVID-19. Until then, please know that vaccines continue to roll out and we are gaining every day in this race between vaccines and variants. I have attached the latest COVID-19 statistics below.
As always, please reach out to me directly at GrandePrairie@assembly.ab.ca if you’d like to connect.
As always, I remain in your service.
Tracy L. Allard, MLA for Grande Prairie
