EDMONTON – It’s known as Alberta’s unofficial, official vehicle: the pickup truck.
You can’t drive down a street without seeing a truck in everyone’s driveway.
And while the internet is still debating pickup trucks after a Toronto columnist suggested it was time to ban the sale of them for personal use — and another called the vehicle a plague on Canadian streets–some Albertans want to set the record straight on the vehicle most associated with Wildrose Country.
READ MORE: Is it time to ban pickup trucks for personal use?
“If you live in downtown Toronto in a condo on the 26th floor, you are probably not driving a truck. But the rest of Canada, where you have room and needs, trucks are great,” said Mark Hicks, who owns a car dealership near Edmonton.
He adds while pickups have roots in farming and industry, it has evolved into an everyday vehicle.
“The needs of a consumer have changed over the last few years.”
The Prairies in general are known for their pickups, it’s not just an Alberta thing.
Even south of the border, pick-ups are the most popular vehicle in many states, according to Forbes magazine.
“It’s a no-brainer, honestly. Especially with our climate, it’s on par with SUVs these days,” said Grant Shaw.
The Toronto Globe & Mail is having a temper tantrum about pickup trucks.
I’m happy to say that ~40% of the vehicles on Alberta roads are pickups.
Maybe Toronto columnists should try getting around this province during a prairie blizzard in a Smart Car.https://t.co/c8v2NjzNvV
— Jason Kenney ???????????????????????? (@jkenney) July 25, 2021
Alberta’s premier was also quick to defend pickups on social media.
“I’m happy to say that 40 per cent of the vehicles on Alberta roads are pickups. Maybe Toronto columnists should try getting around the province during a Prairie blizzard in a Smart Car,” he tweeted.
Jason Kenney even changed his profile picture to a photo of him sitting inside a truck with a Canadian flag hanging off on the driver’s side door.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/2A7Ph5L4Ze
— Jason Kenney ???????????????????????? (@jkenney) July 26, 2021
While the real number of registered pickups in Alberta is closer to 28 per cent — according to government figures— it remains one of the most popular buys at Hicks’ dealership.
“It’s because we are outdoor people,” he explained.
“We like to camp, do things. [Trucks] meet the lifestyle [needs] of Albertans.”
