Shoppers can expect to see more "Made in Alberta" and "Made in Canada" logos and signs, like this at South Country Co-op, on products as the province invests $250,000 for a marketing campaign to help grocers and retailers add labels to domestic products. - NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
As discussions continue with several agricultural agencies, boards and commissions across the province, RJ Siguardson, minister of agriculture and irrigation, stresses the importance of buying local and supporting domestic producers throughout these uncertain economic times.
The Minister says his government has received multiple calls from industry representatives asking to better promote domestic agriculture on store shelves so shoppers can make better informed decisions at the grocery store or farmers market.
In an effort to heed that call the province is moving forward with a $250,000 ad campaign “Buy Alberta” that will assist grocers and other retailers with the cost of labelling all Canadian products in stores.
“We are extremely lucky here in the province of Alberta. We have the best farmers and ranchers in the world, hard working, dedicated individuals producing the best food,” says Siguardson. “With that we are going to be moving forward to work with advertisement campaigns, also trying to work more interactively with our grocers too.”
The marketing campaign is part of the UCP’s multi pronged approach to deal with ongoing tariff threats by the U.S. President Donald Trump.
The government has also directed all its departments and agencies to purchase needed products and services from Alberta businesses, restrict the purchase of VLT machines made in the U.S. and seek free trade deals with any province willing to do so.
“We have been working tirelessly to be able to continue to expand interprovincial trade within the country.” explains Siguardson. “I think there are a lot of opportunities within our own country, and as we sit down at the table and have these conversations right now, we understand how important it is to be able to seriously address this.”
Siguardson says he has witnessed an increased “eagerness” from provinces across the country to move forward with settling past trade issues and works towards more trade between the coasts.
“Now we see a lot of interest in being able to formally address it right now, and be able to strengthen our agricultural industry from east to west, and supply products domestically to each other that normally we would obtain elsewhere,” said Siguardson.
Looking forward, Siguardson says the province will continue its trade discussions with producers and officials south of the border.
“Our Premier has been travelling extensively, promoting exactly that, and we are working to make sure that our colleagues in the U.S. know that we’re a valued trading partner and if they’re looking at a continued growth in the agriculture sector that’s going to be in the best interest of their citizens, that Alberta is an excellent partner to be able to continue free trade with.”
The Alberta Beef Producers, who represent more than 18,000 beef producers, say they welcome the province’s advocacy and support and say the cattle plays a vital role in food security in North America.
Representatives told the NEWS the group has been actively engaging in trade discussion with U.S. stakeholders and recently attending America’s largest national cattle industry conference in February.
“We will continue to be in discussions with political representatives as well as colleagues in the cattle industry to fully understand the implications of these tariffs and to begin to do what we can to mitigate these challenges together,” said Chairman Doug Roxburgh.
“U.S. Small and medium-sized processors, as well as regional food systems, rely heavily on Canadian cattle to sustain their operations,” said Brodie Haugen, past chairman.
The province continually updates its Made in Alberta webpage to help residents identify all Alberta-made products. The website’s URL is madeinalberta.co
