Traditionally done in January, Alberta's Cabinet Minister's Visit made a stop in Airdrie Wednesday afternoon at Muriel Clayton School. After fielding questions from the students about the status of schools in the City and the future of education, Premier Alison Redford shared some time with reporters and discussed why focusing on Airdrie is important.

Redford said 2011 for Alberta was a year of tremendous change, not only for the Progressive Conservatives but for politics overall. The Minister's visits give them a chance to share information in a more integrated way with communities and to listen to what Albertans are saying are their priorites for the future. The Premier added, it's vital for leaders to be thinking about how the work they're doing is fitting in with what people's hopes and aspirations are.

Redford sees Airdrie as a strong example of a city in transition, saying her government has to be able to answer our resulting challenges.