I hate to name drop, but Brad (Wall) and I were having lunch in Regina a few weeks ago when I suggested that he buy up Alberta at 10 cents on the dollar, shut down the wells, lay off the affected oil workers, and turn the fortunes around of what used to be Alberta.
"Albertans are hopeless businessmen." I told him.
He nodded his agreement.
I explained that Albertans, as a group, weren't smart enough to run their own businesses or province. Saskatchewan could do it better. The proof, I said, was being able to do 100 times more with considerably less than the rest of Canada has ever had to spend. Even Newfoundland! Rent out all the oil company offices to the Chinese and the Saudis for outrageous prices, and let them bring their infrastructure into the province. Don't use Alberta's money. (Which, as of that luncheon, was about $86.50)
Since Alberta is a large piece of land, it might be prudent to have someone as a second in command so to speak, and help with the restructuring. I suggested my long time friend Kevin (O'Leary).
I also suggested that it's time to send all the women back to the kitchen and other traditional roles of servitude. The woman's Lib thing has been a horrible crush on world markets. They just aren't mentally capable or alert enough to handle anything other than grocery lists. This would increase the number of jobs available to men, please the Saudis and Chinese (thereby encouraging them to invest heavily), and with putting the women back where they belong, increase the IQ within the business community.
I also suggested that Canadians not be allowed to vacation or buy real estate in and around Banff/the foothills area - unless their net worth is in excess of 10 million US dollars. Keep that land for US/Saudi/Chinese investors, but ensure the Saskatchewan government owns and controls the provincially run real estate office that would oversee the rentals and purchases around Banff.
I also said that I would rename Calgary, Edmonton and the newly zoned province, but do it the right way. Run a contest to choose what they will be called. The contest entrants would be investors. This would build a stake in Albertawan, Saskerta or New Riyadh province.
I finished by saying that Brad and a hand picked few would be the judges.
Needless to say, his reaction was not what I thought it would be!
"What? That's crazy, Murph! Oh, your ideas are all fine - except that I would only pay 5 cents on the dollar for Alberta! No more! Come on! Fair market value!"