Don Getty

Don Getty, born on August 30, 1933, was a multifaceted Canadian athlete, businessman, and politician who made significant contributions to Alberta's political landscape. Before embarking on his political career, Getty showcased his athletic prowess as a quarterback for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League, where he amassed over eight thousand passing yards during his decade-long tenure.

Getty's political journey began as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party, where he held key positions such as Energy Minister and Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister under Premier Peter Lougheed. After a brief hiatus from politics in 1979, he returned in 1985 to lead the Progressive Conservative leadership contest following Lougheed's retirement, ultimately becoming Alberta's 11th premier on November 1, 1985.

During his premiership, Getty faced significant challenges, including an economic downturn and declining energy prices that severely impacted Alberta's economy. In response to rising government deficits and unemployment, he implemented cuts to social spending and intervened financially to support struggling businesses. However, many of these interventions did not achieve their intended outcomes, leading to criticism of his fiscal management and contributing to a government debt of eleven billion dollars by the time he left office.

Despite his struggles, Getty's efforts to enhance Alberta's role within Canada initially showed promise, as he secured agreements on Senate reform during the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords. Unfortunately, both accords were ultimately rejected, including by a majority of Albertans. His political career faced further challenges, including a defeat in his home riding during the 1989 election, which prompted his resignation from the premiership in 1992. That same year, he was honored by being inducted into the Edmonton Eskimos Wall of Fame.