Premier Danielle Smith issues mandate letters to ministers. (Image: CHAT News Today)

By Sarah Jones

18 Letters

Premier Smith outlines key actions for Alberta ministers in mandate letters

Nov 15, 2022 | 3:11 PM

It’s been just over a month since Danielle Smith became the premier of Alberta.

Since taking over the leadership position of the United Conservative Party (UCP), Premier Smith says she has made it her priority to strengthen the province’s economy and grow the “Alberta Advantage.”

As a result, she has sent out 18 letters that built on previous mandates, outlining objectives that each minister will focus on.

“The work I have tasked these ministers with is vital to ensuring Albertans and Canadians can look forward to a prosperous future,” explained Smith.

According to a media release from the Government of Alberta, some of the highlights from these letters include:

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• Diversifying Alberta’s economy and attracting investment, which would provide job opportunities for Albertans.
• Advocating for Alberta’s agriculture industry and working with partners to further modernize the sector and grow Alberta’s agri-food market.
• Building on the province’s competitive advantage in traditional industries and identifying ways to improve market access to continue to be a global supplier of energy and food.

Smith went on to say, “Alberta’s economy has real momentum. More and more job creators are recognizing the benefits of doing business in our province and that leads to more jobs for Albertans looking for work.”

“We have made real progress in diversifying our economy, and we want to see even more,” she added. “By continuing that work, we will ensure that Alberta businesses, and all Albertans and their families, can prosper and benefit from Alberta’s strong economy.”

Letters to the ministers of Agriculture and Irrigation; Forestry, Parks and Tourism; Jobs, Economy and Northern Development; Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction; Technology and Innovation; Treasury Board and Finance; and Transportation and Economic Corridors were received over the past few days and can be read on the Government of Alberta website.

A final set of letters will be issued later this week, addressing Smith’s commitments on health care and skilled labour.

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Marlin Schmidt, NDP Critic for Environment and Parks, made the following statement in response to mandate letters sent to the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, and the Minister of Forestry, Parks, and Tourism:

“The mandate letters issued by Premier Smith to the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas and the Minister of Forestry, Parks, and Tourism were extremely disappointing and entirely lacking in concrete plans or firm commitments. Without significant, specific direction or insight into future plans, the majority of the information within the letters focuses on things that are already happening, or maintaining business as usual.

“Alarmingly, there is no real mention of effective conservation or protection of Alberta’s wild and natural places. Specifically, the Environment and Protected Areas mandate letter doesn’t include a mandate to protect much at all, with no mention of a direction for protected areas, as well as very little direction on the same within Forestry, Parks, and Tourism.

“This lack of clarity proves that the UCP government does not care about nor understand the industry and will only cause further confusion and chaos within each sector.”

(With files from rdnewsNOW)