This is not the blog I was planning on writing.

I was planning to write about the imperative of direct air service in and out of Edmonton that allows the economic engine of Canada to operate at its fullest potential. I was planning to write about the youngest, fastest growing region in Canada that is served by an Edmonton International Airport experiencing the highest growth in all categories among all competitors. I was planning to write about a $78 billion local economy and a 1,200,000 population that is growing at twice the speed of the rest of the country. And I was planning to write about, not just our need but the entire country’s need, for us to have direct market access for people, products and capital if we want our collective economy to grow.

I was going to rant … yes rant … maybe even rage. Rage against decades of protecting our national airline with taxpayer dollars only to have it turnaround and force everyone to fly through Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver. Rage against a protectionist transport policy that prevents new carriers from new destinations with new routes to be easily established to meet growing demand. Rage against airlines cancelling high-demand routes while claiming they are uneconomical. And rage against the very punitive, monopolistic behaviours that prevent Canadian companies from becoming global players, and that prevent Canadian businesses and consumers from having choices.

But I am not.

What I want to write about is the amazing, coordinated, rapid response that can be unleashed when our City and Capital Region comes under attack. A response within 90 minutes between the Mayor’s office, Edmonton Airport, EEDC and the Chamber … that charges out across the country … that links every business, political and community leader in a unified voice … to stand armed and ready to defend any malicious action by any organization against this community.

Nothing … no force on earth … can stop a City whose time has come. And nothing … no flight or pipeline will prevent us from connecting our people and products with the world.

Nothing.