Expanding agricultural markets in Canada and overseas is one of the top priorities for Alberta’s new agriculture minister.
“I really think we have done a good job over the years developing foreign markets to China or South Korea or Japan. It is a large wide world out there and there is tons of room to grow, and I think there are countries out there, maybe they don’t know it yet, but they want our product,” Oneil Carlier said three weeks after being named minister of agriculture and forestry.
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“The agriculture here is some of the best in the world, so I am really excited about the possibility to explore those new markets and expand our industry.”
Carlier has spent long days with forestry and agriculture bureaucrats since being appointed by NDP premier Rachel Notley, talking to industry officials and getting to know the two portfolios.
“I have had a lot of opportunity to meet with various farmers and producers and exploring the files along with the people from the department,” he said.
“The department has been great from the deputy minister on down, helping me to navigate the various agencies, boards and commissions and the producers as well.”
Carlier said he has sensed during those conversations a feeling of optimism from farmers. Commodity prices are strong, and farmers feel good about their future and agriculture.
“Overall, people are optimistic and I am really anxious to do what I can to help expand their markets and expand the industry and explore new markets, whether it is in the United States, Asia or in Europe,” he said.
“It is an exciting time to be a farmer, and I am really excited to do my part as agriculture minister.”
Another priority will be bringing in mandatory workers’ compensation and occupational health and safety legislation for farm workers.
“I personally think it is absolutely unacceptable that Alberta is the only jurisdiction in Canada that doesn’t have the proper framework and regulations in place to at least go to a certain measure to ensure our workers are safe,” said Carlier.
Previous agriculture ministers have shied away from legislation to protect farm workers.
He said he will consult with farmers, farm workers and industry on what the legislation will look like before introducing legislation.
“I am feeling really confident that this is something really long overdue,” he said.
“We’re going to have the opportunity to make it right.”
Carlier said he looks forward to meeting with his federal and provincial counterparts in Charlottetown this summer to discuss the next version of the Growing Forward program and finding ways to work with other agriculture ministers to expand markets.
“I look forward to meeting them and working with them and ensure we can grow the industry, not just for Alberta, but for the entire country.”
Carlier said it is too early to discuss specific research project funding, but everything is open for discussion, including more research funding for agriculture projects.
“I think it’s something we need to further explore as we go into the fall with a full budget,” he said.
“Everything is on the table and nothing is discounted, but it is too early to tell.”
Finding ways to improve how products get to market, strengthening landowners’ rights and ways for farmers to cohabitate with wildlife are all important issues that will be discussed in the future, he said.
“I am looking forward to the summer, where I will be able to get boots on the ground and be able to shake hands with some of the producers,” he said.
mary.macarthur@producer.com
