We in the media tend to view politicians with a suspicious eye most of the time in Alberta.
However, it is very difficult to criticize the Stelmach government’s whirlwind cabinet-minister tour of Alberta.
Monday, five cabinet ministers were in southern Alberta, as four stuck around in Taber that evening for a supper. They continued on to tour Barry McFarland’s Little Bow riding, and met with McFarland Tuesday in Lethbridge.
Many discussions were held with municipal leaders and school-board officials, and more than likely a lot of information was passed around in a very short amount of time.
Certainly, it was a staggering amount of meetings and requests  that must have been made of the ministers in such a short period of time.
It would be naive to believe every discussion will be acted upon, and every request met by the government, but the tour provides a valuable learning experience for the ministers.
It also gave local politicians a very high-profile sounding board to relate to government their very important local issues.
With our provincial capital so far away, politicians in this neck of the woods must feel it is difficult to get their point across to Edmonton. Having important provincial politicians take the time to meet with them one on one is certainly a positive development.
Politicians are often seen to be out of touch with the general public, but tours such as this help to re-connect them with other areas of Alberta.
Let’s face it — MLAs, and particularly cabinet ministers, have a lot on their plates. Any time personal meetings can be set up to air grievances and discuss important issues, that is positive.
The government should be commended for taking steps to learn more about local issues, especially after a busy spring session just wrapped up in Edmonton.
The hope is now, some of these local issues will have enjoyed new life, and Alberta’s government will evolve to be more representative of all.