Alberta premier-elect Rachel Notley has relatively few choices for agriculture minister if she wants someone with direct farming experience.
David Eggen, a former schoolteacher, was NDP critic during the last legislative session. He was re-elected in Edmonton-Calder.
Colin Piquette of Boyle has been mentioned as a possibility. The insurance agent and local Chamber of Commerce president was elected in Athabasca-Sturgeon River-Redwater.
Oneil Carlier, a Public Service Alliance of Canada worker elected in Whitecourt-Ste. Anne, is also on the possible list.
However, agriculture is not first on NDP MLAs’ resumes, if it’s mentioned at all.
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Alberta’s last agriculture minister, Verlyn Olson, is a Camrose lawyer. He lost in the election to New Democrat Bruce Hinkley, a retired school principal, in Wetaskiwin-Camrose.
Alberta Pork chair Frank Novak said he knows what he wants in the next agriculture minister.
“We need somebody who is open minded and interested in actually learning what modern, production agriculture really is, if they don’t already know,” said Novak.
“I am sure somewhere in there, there are multiple, capable, intelligent people who want to do a good job. The ag minister doesn’t have to be a farmer, but he has to be someone who is willing to understand the industry.”
Kevin Auch, vice-president of the Alberta Wheat Commission, agreed.
“Whoever it is, is going to be inexperienced, but hopefully they’ll be very interested in agriculture and in learning their new portfolio and if there’s any way the AWC can help them along in that capacity, we would like to be there for them,” he said.
A big percentage of the 54 NDP MLAs hail from urban ridings and some are in their 20s.
“With the fairly high number of urban MLAs within the government and a number of young people and people with limited agriculture experience, just informing them of what’s actually happening out there is going to be our biggest focus over the next while,” said Alberta Beef Producers chair Greg Bowie.
“I’m hopeful that they’ll take some time and come up with someone that’s got a little bit of knowledge within the industry and someone that’s willing to listen and learn.”
Bowie also noted there is considerable experience in the civil service, but not all of them will retain their jobs in a new government.
barb.glen@producer.com
