The U.S. removal of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and the Trump administration’s intention to rebuild the South American country’s deteriorating energy infrastructure illustrates the risks attached to the Alberta government’s precarious finances.

There is an urgent need for the provincial government to seriously examine the medium- to long-term diversification of its revenue streams.

Diversification of Alberta trade, and opening alternative markets for our oil and gas, is critical, and finally seems to be on the Alberta and federal government’s agenda after years of relative inattention. However, American action in Venezuela should be another wake-up call to Premier Danielle Smith’s government to move away from its continuing overreliance on unpredictable energy revenues to fund vital programs in health care, education and social services.

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