Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter speaks in Edmonton in this April 2019 file photo. The ne Parliamentary Secretary for Agrifood Development believes big economic gains are on the horizon for southern Alberta and the province as a whole.--CP FILE PHOTO
reporter@medicinehatnews.com
MLA of Taber-Warren Grant Hunter was named Parliamentary Secretary for Agrifood Development in July of this year.
“I’m honoured to be able to serve in that capacity. I think there is lots of good work that needs to be done and I have the speciality to do it,” Hunter told the News this week.
While he hasn’t received a mandate letter yet from the premier’s office, Hunter has had several conversations with Premier Danielle Smith and the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson.
“One of the things I’ve been working on for the past three and a half years now is an agri-food processing corridor between Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. I will continue to work on that and this puts a title to the work I’m doing.”
Until he receives the mandate letter, Hunter won’t know the time commitment for this new role. However, he also pointed out that it’s not only about southern Alberta and there is a provincial component to the job as food is produced all over the province.
This year, McCain Foods announced a $600-million expansion to its facility located east of Coaldale. It will be the largest expansion they’ve done to any of their locations throughout the world.
“We’re excited about that,” stated Hunter. “This all started from the work we did years ago, which was announcing a 230,000-acre irrigation expansion. That’s really why these businesses are starting to take an interest and expanding, and why other businesses are interested in coming to this area.”
Additionally, the government says it is committed to twinning the full length of Highway 3. The construction between Burdett and Taber was delayed this year, but Hunter says Minister of Transportation Devin Dreeshen assures him it will still be completed by 2028, as promised.
“I think that southern Alberta, especially between Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, is going to see some really explosive growth as we have these agri-food processors start to come in,” concluded Hunter. “I think that we are going to see some great job opportunities and new business opportunities, and real estate will be at a premium here because of these expansions. It’s a good time to be part of southern Alberta.”
