A Canadian football player turned politician who served as the 11th Premier of Alberta, known for his leadership during a period of economic growth and reform. He's also remembered for his charismatic personality and folksy style.
Don Getty, the 11th premier of Alberta, is known for his tumultuous tenure from 1985 to 1992, marked by economic challenges, fiscal controversies, and a lasting impact on the province's politics.
Getty's political journey began in 1967, when he was elected as a member of the Progressive Conservatives in the government of Peter Lougheed. He held various portfolios, including Energy Minister and Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister, before leaving politics in 1979 to pursue a career in the private sector.
In 1985, Getty returned to politics, contesting the Progressive Conservative leadership and emerging victorious. He became premier on November 1, 1985, inheriting a struggling economy plagued by low energy prices and rising unemployment.
Getty's government responded with a series of measures aimed at stimulating the economy, including cutting social spending and intervening in the private sector to prevent business failures. While some of these interventions were criticized for their expense and ineffectiveness, others argue that they laid the groundwork for his successor, Ralph Klein, to balance the provincial budget.
Getty's fiscal policies have been the subject of much debate. His government's debt ballooned to $11 billion by the time he left office, leading his successor to characterize his tenure as an era of "wasteful and excessive spending." Critics point to high-profile failures, such as the province's investment in the NovaTel telecommunications company, which lost millions of dollars.
Getty played a significant role in shaping Canada's national politics, particularly in the realm of Senate reform. He negotiated with other premiers to include Senate reform provisions in the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords. Although both accords ultimately failed, Getty's efforts demonstrated Alberta's commitment to strengthening its presence in Canada.
Getty faced significant leadership challenges during his premiership, including a defeat in his home riding of Edmonton-Whitemud in the 1989 election. He subsequently won a byelection in Stettler, but his leadership was questioned by some of his own ministers.
Despite the controversies surrounding his premiership, Getty's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While his fiscal policies have been criticized, he also played a crucial role in shaping Alberta's politics and contributed to the province's growth and development.
Getty was born on August 30, 1933, and passed away on February 26, 2016. In his later years, he remained involved in politics, but at a lower profile. He will be remembered as a contested figure, whose premiership continues to shape Alberta's political landscape.
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