EDMONTON — Diversifying Alberta’s agriculture economy will continue to be a focus for the province despite tough economic times, Alberta’s agriculture minister said after the new NDP government’s first budget.
“I think we are doing fairly well. It has been tough economic times,” Oneil Carlier said.
“Going forward we have the funds necessary to continue building agriculture as a very important part of the economy for Alberta.”
Agriculture was left relatively untouched during the Oct. 27 budget.
The budget for the combined agriculture and forestry ministry is up two percent to $1.1 billion. There is no new program funding, but funding continues from the budget presented in the spring by former premier Jim Prentice.
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federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
Grants to agriculture service boards and local fairs will stay the same. The $2 million cuts in grants to the Calgary Stampede and Northlands in Edmonton that the previous Progressive Conservative government announced in the spring were not reinstated.
Rural Economic Development funding will increase to $38 million from $33 million.
Funds to the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency are estimated to drop from $37 million in the 2014-2015 budget to $32.9 million.
“Agriculture in Alberta is in a very unique and great position to take advantage of diversifying. We have value-added products. We have some very good success stories over the years,” said Carlier.
“We’re on the cusp of having some really good opportunities to diversify our economy with agriculture. We’re doing a really good job now.”
Carlier said he is looking forward to working with the new federal agriculture minister on diversifying national and international markets for Alberta’s products.
Getting rid of the United States’ country-of-origin labelling law is an important step to boosting Alberta’s economy, he added.
Carlier said he hopes to learn details soon about the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and work with the federal government on the agreement.
“Whatever the agreement is, it’s important to the economy of Alberta to have open trade with as many countries as we possibly can. It is important to our producers.”
The government plans to allocate $8 million a year for two years for rural bus service, starting in 2016-17 budget. Details are still to be worked out following discussions with rural municipalities and other agencies.
Municipal Sustainability Initiatives grants, which municipalities use to fund infrastructure projects, will increase by $100 million to $3.9 billion over five years.
As well, the government has accepted recommendations in the auditor general’s report on grazing leases so that the program has a clearer objective.
Under the new job creation program, farmers will be able to access job creation grants for new seasonal, part-time or full-time jobs to a maximum $5,000 per job.
