Premier Danielle Smith has issued a mandate letter to Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen calling on him to support responsible growth of Alberta’s forest industry and parks system.

In her letter, the Premier outlines her expectations that Alberta continues to offer a high quality of life and opportunities for increased access to recreation and asks Minister Loewen to deliver on platform commitments, including:

• Working with the Minister of Treasury Board and Finance and Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, who is the lead, to develop an incentive program for the forestry industry that is similar to the Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit.
• Developing and implementing a plan for more than 900 new campsites and several new locations for comfort camping over the next 10 years.
• Investing an additional $5 million in trail upgrades for Kananaskis Country and building new trails and campgrounds across Alberta.
• Bringing stakeholders together to develop a Crown lands recreation and conservation strategy to expand public access while protecting natural spaces.
• Enabling the expansion of trails, campsites, and other public land use opportunities by Alberta entrepreneurs and other organizations.