Lethbridge, Camrose bureaus
Throw out the address book, says Alberta Wheat Commission vice-president Kevin Auch.
There is a whole new group of people in the Alberta government as of May 5, and commodity groups will start fresh in making their needs known.
It is new territory for many in the industry, who have forged ties with government and bureaucrats in the agriculture department over 44 years of Progressive Conservative rule.
“It’s something that a lot of provinces have to go through every time a government changes,” said Auch about meeting the new crew of MLAs and ministers.
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Among the top items on the AWC’s wish list is funding for a cereals specialist.
“We hadn’t accomplished that with the Conservatives but that’s probably one of the things that we’d like to get.”
Auch admitted being surprised by the election that resulted in an NDP majority. He was skeptical of polls showing the party’s lead, given that pollsters also predicted a Wildrose party win in the 2012 election that instead saw another PC majority under former premier Alison Redford.
He saw the results as a desire for change.
“I just hope that Rachel Notley understands,” he said.
“She’s an Albertan first. She’ll have a little different direction than what the previous government did, of course, but just understand who your constituents are. They wanted change, but consult with us if you’re looking at those changes. We want to be in on the process.”
Auch farms near Carmangay, but at the time of writing he didn’t yet know who his own MLA will be. Wildrose candidate David Schneider defeated PC candidate Ian Donovan by only 12 votes, so a recount is being done before the official winner is declared later this month.
Forage Seed Canada president Heather Kerschbaumer said she hopes to soon acquaint the NDP government with issues surrounding genetically modified alfalfa. Her group is against its introduction in Western Canada, and she hopes to get government support for that view.
She is worried about some NDP plans mentioned during the election campaign, including an increase to the minimum wage and mandatory workers compensation coverage for farm workers.
Kerschbaumer said both policies could be hardships for farmers, depending on how far they go. In general, however, she likes the idea of a change in government.
“I think it’s good to have a change. They’ve got a few years to prove themselves. If anything, it may create new opportunities because you have new ideas and people who are trying to please.”
NDP leader Rachel Notley grew up in Fairview, where Kerschbaumer has her home and seed business, so the two are well acquainted.
“I think she’s great. I think she’s down to earth. I think she’s a good leader and I think she’ll do well.”
Alberta Pork chair Frank Novak said trade will be high on the agenda when his group meets with new government representatives.
However, he is worried about the impact of non-agriculture policies on agriculture, especially labour, and is reluctant to embrace a one-size-fits-all mandatory workers compensation program for farm workers.
Greg Bowie of Alberta Beef Producers said his group is ready to work with the new government.
“There’s going to be a whole lot of meet and greets over the next while, hopefully. It’s going to be different, we know that, and we’re hoping that it can be positive for the beef industry and for agriculture. The biggest thing off the bat is just getting to meet them and getting them aware of the importance of the beef sector and agriculture in general.”
Janette McDonald of the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta said her organization is proceeding with research projects based on the budget provided by the previous government.
She expects to meet with new government representatives and help them learn more about agriculture.
“We’re pretty confident that they’ve got interest in rural Alberta and interest in agriculture,” she said.
barb.glen@producer.com
mary.macarthur@producer.com
