Devin Dreeshen says energy efficiency programming, farm labour and research funding will also be on his agenda
Alberta’s new agriculture minister plans to put market access on the front burner for the next four years, pushing for more openness despite lingering trade concerns.
Devin Dreeshen said in an interview last week that even though the current trade environment is troubling, Alberta can still play a role in easing tensions.
“The best thing that you can do on an international trade front is engagement,” he said.
“It’s talking with them, it’s addressing their concerns, and it’s making sure we have those positive relationships so we can try to increase trade.”
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Canada is currently in a dispute with China over the blocking of some canola shipments, and it continues to face tariffs from India on pulses.
As well, Canadian durum is experiencing market access issues in Italy, where country-of-origin labelling has reduced exports, and Saudi Arabia has stopped buying Canadian wheat and barley.
Despite the problems, Dreeshen pointed to Alberta’s past work in developing relations with international buyers as a way to help address the issue.
He said the province has led the pack when it comes to creating partnerships, indicating the new government plans to further promote trade through its international offices.
“They’ve (international offices) always had a heavy ag-lean towards them,” he said.
“It’s something we are going to be promoting and working even harder than what was done in the past to make sure we can open more markets around the world.”
More access means more jobs, he added.
But market access won’t be the only issue on Dreeshen’s plate.
He will have to decide whether to cut energy efficiency programming for agriculture.
The programs were largely funded by the carbon tax, providing funds to farmers who wanted to upgrade irrigation systems and grain dryers, install solar panels or improve cattle-watering systems.
With the tax gone, the programs are under review and could be scrapped.
Dreeshen was tight-lipped on the future of the programs, saying more details will be provided when the budget is unveiled this fall.
“Decisions haven’t been made yet,” he said. “Every department is reviewing every part of their budget.”
By scrapping the carbon tax, he said, it will be less costly for farmers to do business, whether it’s for grain drying or other fuel-intensive practices.
Team Alberta, which represents the main crop commissions, estimated the carbon tax cost farmers across the province $2.5 to $5 million in grain drying alone.
Dreeshen will also be the face of changes to farm labour and safety regulations.
The United Conservative Party has committed to roll back the NDP’s farm safety legislation, replacing it with what it says will strike a balance between farmer practicality and worker safety.
New legislation is expected to be introduced this fall, and it’s believed that small farms will be exempt and farmers will have the option to choose private or Workers Compensation Board insurance coverage.
Dreeshen said the government intends to launch consultations this summer, but couldn’t say whether it will commit to the former NDP government’s workers guidelines.
The guidelines took nearly two years to develop in consultation with industry.
“We’re going to go out to every corner of the province, talking to farmers directly and farm groups,” he said, noting lots of consultation was done in the past.
“If there are good parts of Bill 6 or bad parts, we’re going to try to find the best fit.”
During the election campaign, the UCP promised it would ensure research was led by farmers.
Dreeshen said he is committed to shifting to research that has farmer benefits in mind, but couldn’t say whether there will be more funding.
Farm groups have asked for more research dollars, given funding had been reduced under the NDP.
“Unfortunately that’s another budget question,” he said. “Stay tuned in the fall.”
