Boosting business | New premier sets ag department’s focus
The Alberta agriculture department is focusing on expanding markets and building relationships in the Asia Pacific region.
Premier Jim Prentice gave the direction Sept. 17 in his mandate letter to agriculture minister Verlyn Olson.
The top priority identified in the letter was to make sure the province’s agriculture industry is positioned for growth in international markets, focusing on the Asian Pacific Basin.
The letter also wants the government to encourage industry innovation, which would help rural Albertans make connections with international and domestic customers.
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Olson said he doesn’t see the letter as a big change to his department. Instead, it is a commitment to continue on the same path.
“It’s a re-emphasis on the importance of trade issues and markets,” said Olson.
“We take this as a re-emphasis and support of the direction we are already moving in.”
The mandate also directs Olson to ensure that consumers have confidence Alberta is an environmental steward and leader in animal health and welfare and food safety.
Included in the mandate letter was the need to create positive economic development in rural Alberta that helps producers and rural businesses succeed.
Olson said he has found during travels to rural Alberta that the No. 1 concern is a lack of good high speed internet service.
If rural areas are to be developed, a lack of good, reliable high speed internet must not be a barrier, he added.
Bob Barss, president of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties, said the emphasis on increased trade with Asia is good if it helps sell more Alberta grain or livestock product to southeast Asia.
“It’s our most important market, so that is where we need to see movement of our products,” he said.
“We also need to make sure we look after things at home.”
Barss said he wants the provincial government to make sure the grain transportation system has fewer problems than plagued grain shipments last winter.
He and his colleagues will also work with Diana McQueen, the new municipal affairs minister, whose mandate letter focuses on completing and updating the municipal government act, which is now in a final draft.
“I hope that continues, even though we have a new minister and deputy.”
Barss has worked with four premiers and five municipal affairs ministers since he became AAMD&C president in 2010.
He said he stressed the need for continuity to help develop relationships and move projects forward to completion when rural government officials met with Prentice before he was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative party.
