From controversial government bills to farm aid money, Alberta’s new agriculture minister will have numerous delicate issues to deal with, according to a department official.
Ty Lund, environment minister before the cabinet shuffle last week, replaces Ed Stelmach as agriculture minister. Stelmach now has the infrastructure portfolio.
“I think there are a lot of things on his plate that are going to be a challenge to the man and I have no doubt Ty will address them,” said Bart Haddrell, communications director for Alberta Agriculture.
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His issues include implementing Bill 31, the controversial public lands act calling for grazing lease changes, developing provincial trade positions and lobbying for federal farm income assistance.
“The feds have only given us a two-year program. It’s piecemeal. We want something that’s ongoing,” said Haddrell, referring to the Agricultural Income Disaster Assistance program.
Lund was too busy to answer questions last week and needs to be briefed on his portfolio, said Haddrell.
Ken Nicol, opposition agriculture critic, is surprised with the department change.
“Ed was doing what I thought was quite a good job and he had developed quite a positive image and relationship with the constituent groups in agriculture. It was kind of expected from a lot of people’s point of view that Ed would stay as the agriculture minister.”
Lund, a second-generation grain and cattle farmer in the Rocky Mountain House area, has experience as a producer. He was also a municipal district reeve and sat on the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties executive.
Rod Scarlett, executive director for Wild Rose Agricultural Producers, also thought Stelmach had a good term.
“With two years in he was just getting his feet wet. Obviously he must have done particularly well because I think you have to realize he got a promotion.”
Although it will take time for Lund to become familiar with the issues, his ministerial experience will be an asset, said Scarlett.
“Environmental issues in the agriculture community are becoming more and more important and he’ll probably be able to put a pretty good perspective on that.”
Haddrell said Lund might feel more comfortable as an agriculture minister because of his background.
As environment minister Lund was criticized by groups like the Pembina Institute, which felt he wasn’t doing enough to protect the environment. This past spring the World Wildlife Fund gave Alberta an ‘F’ for failing to create enough protected areas under the Endangered Species Campaign.
Alberta’s new cabinet
Premier Ralph Klein
Treasury Stockwell Day
International and Intergovernmental Relations Shirley McClellan
Government Services Pat Nelson
Resource Development Steve West
Health and Wellness Halvar Jonson
Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Ty Lund
Environment Gary Mar
Gaming Murray Smith
Municipal Affairs Walter Paszkowski
Community Development Stan Woloshyn
Infrastructure Ed Stelmach
Economic Development Jon Havelock
Human Resources and Employment Clint Dunford
Learning Lyle Oberg
Children’s Services Iris Evans
Justice David Hancock
Innovation and Science Lorne Taylor
Associate Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Pearl Calahasen
Associate Minister of Forestry Mike Cardinal
Associate Minister of Health and Wellness Gene Zwozdesky
