Whether you support his point of view or think he represents the height of irrationality, everyone in Jasper should be happy that Ben Gadd is going to Washington D.C.

Gadd and his wife Cia are part of Alberta’s delegation and will be sharing their point of view on the mountain environment as part of the Smithsonian’s 2006 Folklife Festival next week.

Gadd says he’ll spend most of his time talking about our little corner of the Rockies with the many Americans who pass by the tent where he’ll set up his display on the natural history of the mountains and the physical activities people can do to enjoy this terrain. Again, it’s fair to say that not everyone shares Gadd’s pro-environment stand, but he will act as an ambassador for the park and for Jasper. Will more people decide to come our way as a result of chatting with Gadd? Not necessarily, but more information about the Rockies can’t hurt. 

However, the most important reason that Gadd’s participation is a good thing has to do with the environmental future of the entire province. Alberta is headed to Washington with a clear message in mind — promote the booming energy sector and outline the progress made in oil and gas, particularly in the oil sands projects in the northeastern part of the province.

There’s more to that story than massive dump trucks and billions of dollars in black gold, and Gadd is just the man to help tell that tale. The environmental cost of Alberta’s attitude toward the natural world is staggering, and our neighbours to the south ought to be aware of it, and aware of the fact that there are many here in Alberta who aren’t keen on exploiting every square inch of our home and native land for maximum profit.

With the price of oil sky high and the question of energy security never more prevalent in the United States, it stands to reason that Alberta’s industrial development in this sector has caught the attention of the American public. In the past few months, Alberta has been the subject of lengthy features in the New York Times, the Economist and Time Magazine. Just last weekend, the CBS current affairs show 60 Minutes got into the act, focusing an entire segment on the oil sands developments.

With American eyes, and American dollars, directed our way as they rarely have before, now is an essential time to present a balanced look at the situation. You can’t blame the government for wanting to promote industry in the way they are through showcase events like the Folklife Festival, but let’s all be thankful that people like Ben Gadd are willing to make the effort to ensure that a little perspective is included in the mix.