Standing up for Alberta: Minister Savage

Nov 22, 2019

Minister of Energy Sonya Savage issued the following statement on Ecojustice’s legal challenge of the public inquiry into foreign funding of anti-Alberta energy campaigns:

“For far too long there have been concerns about foreign-funded campaigns discrediting Alberta’s oil and gas jobs. I personally worked in the pipeline industry from 2005 to 2018. During this time, I saw the challenges facing Canada’s natural resource industry first-hand. As minister, I’m committed to uncovering the truth and working to revitalize the energy sector.

“Our government was elected on the promise to launch a public inquiry into the foreign sources of funds behind the anti-Alberta energy campaigns. This inquiry is long overdue and will examine if, how and why foreign funding has contributed to landlocking our energy sector.

“Ecojustice alone has received US$815,000 from the U.S.-based Tides Foundation. Ecojustice has been one of the leading activist groups seeking to block the duly approved Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project. Ecojustice’s opposition to the inquiry into the foreign-funded attacks on our oil and gas workers speaks for itself.

“The inquiry is fully independent, as per the Public Inquiries Act and commissioner Steve Allan’s terms of reference and engagement letter. I won’t prejudge any results from commissioner Allan, as his work is ongoing. Our government is looking forward to receiving a completed report from the commissioner no later than July 2, 2020.”

Source : Alberta Agriculture

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.