APEGGA Submission to the
Alberta Growth Summit
Agriculture and Rural Development
"How can this sector sustain growth while preserving the traditions of Alberta's agricultural base and rural communities?"
Some of the traditions identified were community values, private ownership of land, independence, adaptability and ingenuity, high work ethic, and rural lifestyle.
Key Issues
1. Shrinking base of prime agricultural land
2. A relative shortage of water and deterioration of water quality in some
of the primary agricultural producing areas
3. Distance from major markets for agricultural products of Alberta; need
for enhanced infrastructure (i.e. transportation, power, water and communications
facilities)
4. Limited availability of, and access to investment capital
5. Inter-provincial and international barriers to free trade
6. Trend to "corporate" farming, including religious colonies
and agri-businesses
7. Increased need for and use of modern technology
Position
The agricultural value-added sector should be expanded
Action
- Target funds for research and development in this sector to come from production levy
- Promote the sector to capital markets
- Establish bioresource engineering program(s) at Alberta universities with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and product commercialization
Position
Efficient allocation and improvement of quality of water resources should be emphasized
Action
- Establish and maintain up-to-date information on Alberta water resources
- Ensure fiscally and environmentally responsible strategy for use of water resources is in place
Position
Emphasis should be placed on improving productivity of primary products from the existing land base on a sustainable basis
Action
- Maintain and develop network of support for primary product classes
- Support skill and knowledge development and emphasize the commercialization of research and development
Position
Infrastructure in prime areas must support primary and value-added sectors
Action
- Consider implementation of a high load transportation grid appropriate to needs of agricultural sector
Position
Promotion of Alberta agriculture to capital markets must be emphasized
Action
- Utilize innovative tax policy to encourage research and development
- Seek to attract global corporations and foreign investment to this sector
Position
Support trade liberalization
Action
- Work nationally and internationally to remove impediments to trade
Position
Promote access to modern technology in rural areas
Action
- Explore and enhance adult distance education opportunities
- Build on initiatives to introduce modern technology to rural schools
Business and Industry
What are the key issues that affect growth and diversification in Alberta's economy?
Key Issues
1. Diversified economy to reduce dependency on primary industries
2. Skilled manpower shortage
3. Alberta may not be attractive to new business because of distance and cost to potential markets
4. Perceived lack of planning, communication and co-ordination between government, industry and the public
Position
Maximization of activity in research and development and the complementary commercialization
Action
- Continue to aggressively promote the Alberta Advantage to dispel "branch plant mentality" in this province
- Build on Alberta's strengths of
- stable government
- competitive tax regime
- maintain 0% PST
- good quality of life
- natural resources
- tourism
Position
Availability of skilled labour to encourage growth opportunities
Action
- Encourage discussion and exchange of information on market needs between industry and education institutions
- Create Centres of Excellence to become world renowned experts on targeted areas (recognizes cannot be the best at everything)
- Encourage teachers to increase their knowledge base and remain currentabout market conditions
- Review student loan programs to determine availability and ease of accessibility
Position
Business environment conducive to competitiveness in the global marketplace
Action
- Government role is to continue to develop a favorable business climate with attractive, flexible policies and tax regimes
- Encourage investment in research and development with specific tax incentives
- Determine if access to investment capital and management expertise can be improved
- Build long-term relationships with other markets and focus on areas with geographical similarities to Alberta (i.e. China and Russia)
Position
An environment where government, industry and the public are involved equally in the formation of growth opportunities
Action
- Government acts as co-ordinator/facilitator to increase planning and communication between these sectors
- Greater integration of planning and communication of information to the public will enhance ability to attract growth opportunities by minimizing conflicts between sectors
Energy
"How can this sector sustain stable growth while responding to highly volatile energy prices?"
Key Issues
1. Potential to lose technological edge
2. Lack of consistent rules from all levels of government
3. A harsh regulatory environment may suppress Alberta economy
4. Price volatility causes dramatic swings in activity
5. Not enough "value-added" to natural resources
6. Not taking full advantage of human resources
Position
Other competitive areas investing more heavily in research and development and commercialization
Action
- Establish a vision for energy research based on the Alberta Advantage
- Establish and maintain a joint government/industry task force to advise on energy research issues and recommend research projects
- Utilize industry/service sector alliances to promote innovation and selective research
- Encourage more partnerships/alliances with universities, research councils and industry
- Promote the cost advantage of doing research in Alberta
- Monitor research funding
- Offer tax incentives rather than cash for research
- Encourage long-term planning
Position
Inconsistent rules do not encourage development
Action
- Create a tax climate that encourages large corporations, entrepreneurs and individuals to come to Alberta and to stay
- Do not invest in capital equipment
- Accelerate the process to remove overlap and duplication of the regulatory process
- Simplify the fiscal regime
- Retain the EUB's role in energy data management
Position
Balance quality of environment with required economic development
Action
- Mitigate the effects from the federal government's initiatives on greenhouse gas emissions
- Integrate resource planning and regulations for all industries within Alberta
- Complete the harmonization of the federal and provincial regulations
- Encourage global environmental standards
Position
Little can be done to control price or exchange rates
Action
- Government budgets for economic troughs and utilizes industry perceptions of energy pricing in future budgets
- Industry builds at the bottom of these troughs when labour and materials are cheapest
- Industry has long-term confidence
Position
Remoteness from markets and costs of transportation
Action
- Extend oil sands lease tenure
- Balance tax relief on transportation costs with the increase in revenue from taxes produced by an improved economy
- Encourage more efficient energy transportation system
- Review infrastructure jointly with industry to promote energy projects
- Remove inter-provincial barriers to energy transportation
Position
Early retirement causes experience vacuum
Action
- Industry to encourage training and skills development
Position
Global companies bring in their own expertise
Action
- Promote sciences at early ages to provide Alberta expertise
Government
"How can the public sector become as flexible as possible in responding to growth?"
Key Issues
1. Framework of regulatory process
2. Retain and attract quality staff
3. Fiscal responsibility
4. Importance of research and development
5. Infrastructure
Position
Remove conflicts and/or duplication of provincial and federal regulations
Action
- Harmonize at all levels
Position
Encourage deregulation while ensuring system standards
Action
- Accelerate reform process
Position
Provide framework for self-regulation to responsible organizations
Action
- Pass accountability to business, industry and professions
Position
Easier public access and accountability of government delivery of quality services
Action
- Faster interdepartmental coordination and communication. Provide competitive compensation, performance incentives and rewards for government employees. One window approach for public dealings
Position
Maintain position to eliminate provincial debt and provide a competitive tax regime
Action
- Avoid deficit financing.
- Encourage private sector investments in small and medium enterprises
Position
Potential loss of technological advantage
Action
- Implement recommendations of Alberta Science & Research Authority consultation on research and development priorities
- Foster research and development investment through tax incentives
Position
Enhance the Alberta Advantage
Retain and attract business growth
Action
- Ensure infrastructure in place in coordinated fashion
- Work with business and industry on infrastructure business plans
- Provide infrastructure funds only as part of business plan
Municipalities, Academic Institutions, Schools and Hospitals (MASH)
"How can this sector become more capable of responding to growth?"
Key Issues
1. Growth opportunities are limited by inability to provide skilled
labour to meet demand
2. Public perception that the current state of the health care system is
negatively impacting the quality of life in Alberta
3. Public perception and confusion on sources and commitments of long-term
funding
4. Downloading of responsibilities from federal/provincial governments
to municipalities
Overall Issues
1. Every Albertan looks forward to growth and opportunities but not
at the expense of a diminished quality of life.
2. This sector makes the most significant contribution to the social dimensions
of Alberta communities. However, it is recognized that change in this sector
is a consequence of growth and not a precursor to growth.
Position
Alberta should have world class post-secondary and public education systems that are available to all Albertans
Action
- Create an atmosphere for experts to thrive in
- Attract experts with solid research and development, excellent infrastructure, and minimize perception that government is hostile (i.e. health care) or that contribution will not be appreciated due to a lack of opportunities
Position
Post-secondary and public education institutions should be more responsive to changing labour market needs
Action
- Study alternative models of providing more appropriate streams of education for all students (i.e. European model)
- Encourage exchange of labour market information and demands between industry, government and both post-secondary and public education institutions
Position
Alberta should have a world class health care system and the public should be aware of its strengths
Action
- Create public awareness on stability of health care system through communication of results:
- accountability
- operational (value-for-money) audits
- access to quality care
- investigate and promote alternative forms of health care (i.e. proactive vs. reactive)
Position
Information should be communicated to the public to provide clarification on funding responsibility, sources and accountability
Action
- Develop comprehensive policy for funding of sectors and provide reliable information to the public, thereby increasing public perception of stability and encouraging investment
Position
Downloading from federal/provincial bodies may create inefficiencies and/or unhealthy competition for growth opportunities between municipalities
Action
- Develop regional co-ordination to maximize effectiveness, efficiencies
and economies of scale
