Canadian Senators visited the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre in Lethbridge, along with other places in southern Alberta in July 2025. Courtesy/Office of Senator Daryl Fridhandler

By David Opinko

POLITICS

Senators’ southern Alberta tour deemed a success

Jul 17, 2025 | 12:41 PM

A group of federal politicians said they walked away from a tour of the region with a deeper understanding and appreciation of southern Alberta.

The four-day trip, which wrapped up on Monday, July 14, was organized by Calgary Senator Daryl S. Fridhandler, as he hoped to leave a lasting impression of the region’s contributions to Canada’s economy and culture.

“This working visit was not just informative; it was transformative,” said Sen. Fridhandler.

“My colleagues from across Canada now carry with them a clearer understanding of Alberta’s realities, challenges, and opportunities – and that Alberta is not just a region of the country but a driving force within it, shaping Canada’s prosperity and its place in the world,” he added.

“That insight will frame national policy discussions in meaningful ways.”

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READ: Canadian senators touring southern Alberta

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The Senators travelled to Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and several surrounding communities.

They visited key industry sites like the Travers Solar Project, CPKC’s North American Headquarters, Cavendish Farms Potato Processing Facility in Lethbridge, Big Marble Greenhouse near Medicine Hat, and a Canadian Natural Resources conventional oil battery near Taber.

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Outside Big Marble Farms on the senators Medicine Hat area stop. Courtesy/Office of Senator Daryl Fridhandler

Members also took part in cultural and community engagement experiences like a welcoming ceremony at T’suutina Nation followed by meetings with the Nations’ leaders, the Calgary Stampede, Head-Smashed in Buffalo Jump, Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens, the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre, and the Hillridge Hutterite Community.

Senator Andrew Cardozo said coming from Ontario, it was particularly useful to meet people in Southern Alberta and talk about the things Parliament should be attending to.

“This fast-developing region deserves to be more heard in conversation, and this trip certainly helped amplify Alberta’s voice,” Cardozo said.

Senator Rodger Cuzner from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, adds that he now has a better understanding of how the federal government can support the region and its path forward.

Montreal’s Pierre Dalphond said he wants to do “whatever we can” to support southern Alberta’s regional food corridor project, believing it has become a world agricultural production centre.