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Food processing is target of latest promise by Alberta NDP

In the party’s latest platform proposal released Tuesday, it promises, if elected, to offer either loan guarantees, grants, or tax credits that would be decided by a newly created task force.

Leader Rachel Notley said at a news conference in Calgary the plan represents a different approach than when the NDP was elected to government in 2015.

“One of our bigger mistakes was we didn’t take enough time to listen and consult with families, residents, business owners across rural Alberta, so I’m determined to do a better job,” Notley said, adding the proposal will require more consultations.

While in government, the NDP sparked an outcry in rural Alberta by bringing in a bill that changed labour rules for farmers.

The price tag for the plan will come as it develops, Notley said, adding the UCP’s eight per cent corporate tax rate doesn’t necessarily help agri-food entrepreneurs, and a targeted investment that competes with programs in Saskatchewan and Manitoba will cost less and have a better return.

It comes after the UCP announced last week it had exceeded its own targets by attracting almost $1.5 billion in new investment and creating about 3,000 jobs for Albertans since 2019. The government has highlighted several recent projects, including a planned $72-million INCA Renewtech hemp factory in Vegreville, and a $225-million Phyto Organix Foods Inc. pea processing facility in Strathmore.

Mackenzie Blyth, press secretary to Agriculture Forestry and Rural Economic Development Minister Nate Horner, said in a Tuesday email to Postmedia the ministry is also actively working on around 100 additional projects, with the potential of facilitating $5 billion more in investment.

“It’s great to see the NDP has been following our lead and are looking at programs that we are already working on,” he said.

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