Alberta premier Danielle Smith is giving her new 24-member cabinet their marching orders as she puts her stamp on the provincial government.
Last week, agriculture minister Nate Horner was among the latest to receive a mandate letter before the Alberta legislature reconvenes later this month.
Horner, who is continuing his role as agriculture minister under former premier Jason Kenney, has been asked to build the province’s agri-food processing sector, improve irrigation networks and push back on federal policies involving the sector.
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Horner said the biggest goal in his mandate will be expanding the agri-food processing sector.
“I hope to bring something to the table soon,” he said of the goal.
While the minister didn’t get into details, he did mention he is looking at a tax credit to spur investment.
“There is so much investment sitting on the sidelines looking for a place to land, I think it’s imperative that Alberta fills this (policy) gap,” he said.
Regarding irrigation, Horner said with the ministry changing its official name from agriculture and forestry to agriculture and irrigation, additional resources from the environment portfolio will be coming his way.
The priority on irrigation will be looking for areas of potential expansion across the province, he said.
“We are looking at other projects and we’re always looking at pursuing other efficiency gains,” Horner said.
On the issue of reducing fertilizer use, Horner said Alberta isn’t necessarily against promoting programs to that effect, “especially when it’s $1,400 a ton.”
However, when it comes to federal fertilizer emission reduction targets, his mandate is to ensure the work that is being done on that front is acknowledged.
Consistent with all the mandate letters is a mention of Smith’s intention to push back on Ottawa.
“We must proactively protect Albertans from continued federal government overreach, including hostile economic policies that land-lock our provincial resources that chase billions in investment and thousands of jobs from our province,” the premier said in her mandate letters.
Contact alex.mccuaig@producer.com
