Peace and prosperity in 2024

Happy New Year!

As the clock struck midnight on December 31st, our world’s growing population reached about 8.1 billion, up about 75 million from last year. 

In the coming year, experts predict there will be 4.3 births and two deaths every second, as the global population is poised to reach nine billion in 15 years.

Western countries like ours have struggled to keep pace with the global growth, but Canada is closing in on 40 million, with Alberta growing closer to five million.

Contrary to what some alarmists preach, global population growth is a good thing.

It is an indication the food is plentiful, the healthcare is improving, economies are advancing, and wars remain less prevalent.

For decades now, our species has possessed the tools to wipe itself out with nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The fact that we have maintained a lasting peace and largely found other ways to advance ourselves should give us hope. 

In fact, since the Second World War humanity has grown and thrived like never before, largely thanks to technological advancement and our willingness to trade.

For a vast country like ours, home to abundant natural resources and one of the world’s leading agricultural industries, continued population growth should come as great news. We have the tools and the skills to feed world markets for decades to come. 

In fact, for global peace and prosperity to continue in the long term, we have the moral obligation to do so. This is no time for governments to hoard our natural resources by blocking exports. This certainly isn’t a time for arbitrarily reducing agricultural production. 

The world needs more of what we produce: more food, more oil, more gas, more lumber, more coal, more technology, more of everything. Not only should we supply it, but we should prosper from it.

The sad reality is that even as global need for Alberta’s products increases, some are doing everything they can to reduce our production, most notably our own governments. 

To those who would regulate away our prosperity, I would say simply this: Trade is a two way street that benefits both the seller and the buyer.  If Alberta produces less food, which country should starve? If Alberta produces less gas, which country should freeze? 

In our global economy, there is no moral superiority in our governments voluntarily killing our own industries. The damage that is done through misguided regulation is real, and it is felt everywhere.

That’s why my New Year’s resolution in 2024 is to push back against those who would seek to impose their ideology on the world through regulation. If we want a peaceful and prosperous world, the free market is our best bet.

From my family to yours, please accept my best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.