Tales from the legislature trim a great big Christmas tree

An undated photo of the Christmas tree outside the legislature in Alberta's capital. (Source: Legislative Assembly of Alberta)

You can dangle a lot of symbolism from the many boughs of an Alberta-harvested Christmas tree that’s 71 feet tall.

Don’t believe it? Ask the two elected officials who strung just such a tree with political and economic narratives during one of the final legislature sittings of 2024.

And the UCP pair needed no aerial lift. The assembly floor worked a sweet Christmas treat for their attachment adventures, recounted in the lead-up to a lighting ceremony Dec. 3 in front of the iconic domed building in Edmonton.

Ron Wiebe, the UCP member for Grande Prairie-Wapiti, called the tree “a shining symbol of the holiday season upon us.”

But the tree also highlights the “vital role” of the forestry industry in spreading joy, providing jobs for diligent Albertans and managing a critical resource, said Wiebe.

He added: “Can the minister of forestry and parks share how supporting Alberta’s forestry sector helps brighten the holidays for local workers and communities while showcasing the province’s commitment to responsible management and tradition?”

Yes, Todd Loewen could.

“This local tree, which came to us straight from Alberta’s forests, is a shining symbol of our thriving forestry sector, which not only supports our economy but also our local communities,” he responded.

“As we light the tree tonight, we celebrate not only the holiday season that will soon be upon us but also the hard work of those in forestry who ensure responsible forest management while bringing holiday cheer to Albertans.”

The tree is also emblematic of a special tradition, said Loewen, the member for Central Peace-Notley. A forestry employee has been trudging into the woods every Christmas season for 27 years to harvest the perfect tree for a festive foreground to the legislature building.

This year’s tree, which came from 18 kilometres northwest of Edson, symbolizes a sector that’s “a powerhouse for our economy,” Loewen told his legislature colleagues.

An industry with an economic output of $14 billion, forestry employs over 30,000 Albertans in good-paying, stable jobs. It’s the largest employer in over 70 communities in the province. And many of those jobs are in rural areas where they’re “especially vital,” he noted.

“By balancing economic development with responsible stewardship and focusing on innovation, we will ensure that forestry remains a sustainable and essential part of Alberta’s economy for generations to come,” said Loewen.

Wiebe made sure the minister remembered to mention the role the industry plays in reducing the risk of wildfires.

Said Loewen: “As Albertans we love our forests, but we don’t want to love them to death. The reality is that decades of fire suppression and preventing selective harvesting created unnatural conditions where we now have huge areas of old, overgrown trees that can fuel catastrophic wildfires.”

Selective harvesting cuts fuel loads and restores forests to a healthier and more natural state.

“By supporting the forestry sector, we are not only protecting our communities but also ensuring our forests remain resilient (so) future generations can continue to enjoy them just as much as we do,” Loewen concluded.

So yes, Virginia, there is a way to add symbols to a giant Christmas tree. And maybe even mangle a metaphor or two while you’re at it.