Publisher's Note

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Page added on October 22, 2010

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Report from the Legislature

Record land sales in calendar year sign of renewed confidence in oil and gas sector

Provincial oil and gas land sales of $117 million on Sept. 29 brings the total sales for the calendar year to $1.86 billion, which is more than any other year in history. This surpasses the previous record of $1.83 billion set in 2005.

The record sale comes just months after the province established a new high for the average price per hectare in a July sale. The July 7, 2010 sale netted an average price of $2,185.03 per hectare, exceeding the previous high of $2,084.86.

Petroleum and natural gas rights owned by the province can be acquired through a sale held every two weeks. There are five land sale dates remaining in 2010.

At a time when energy consumption is rising and global conventional oil production is falling, Alberta has an incredible opportunity to be a leader in responsible energy production. Part of our responsibility is it to promote the facts about the Alberta’s oil sands which is why Alberta Energy recently launched their campaign to tell the truth about our province’s energy production. There’s never been a better time for us to tell the world about our oil sands and it is up to everyone, as proud Albertans, to tell it like it is.

Alberta releases workplace injury and fatality records

Albertans can now see information about worksite injuries and fatalities involving more than 140,000 employers insured by the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB).

The release of these records is part of government’s 10-point plan for achieving greater transparency and accountability for occupational health and safety in the province. The template for this information was released in August to give employers time to prepare.

The records include more information than that currently provided by any other jurisdiction in Canada.

Albertans can now see the following information for each employer:
number of lost-time claims;
estimated number of employees;
lost-time claim rate;
number of fatalities;
if the employer holds a Certificate of Recognition; and
industry and province-wide lost-time claim rates for comparison purposes.

The records can be found online at www.employment.alberta.ca/employerrecords.

For Albertans without computer access, information is available by calling the Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-866-415-8690 (or 780-415-8690 in the Edmonton area).

New West Partnership Ministers to cultivate agriculture trade in Asia

Canada’s New West Partnership is embarking on a mission to China and Japan, Oct. 9 to 16, to promote the partnership region’s agriculture, seafood and aquaculture sectors.

Jack Hayden, Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, and Steve Thomson, Minister of British Columbia Agriculture and Lands will meet with government and industry representatives on behalf of the New West Partnership to advance trade and investment interests. They will also promote the region as a strong partner for collaboration on research, development and commercialization for mutual benefit in areas related to the agriculture and food sector.

Together the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan represent Canada’s largest trading alliance and a dynamic and diverse economic hub of agriculture and agri-food activity. The region’s extensive variety of crops, livestock, meat, seafood, aquaculture and produce are the source of many high quality products that meet the high standards and taste preferences of consumers in Asia.

The ministers are advancing important agriculture discussions initiated during the Partnership’s Premiers’ mission in May. Further developing relationships with the Chinese and Japanese governments and their industries is key to staying competitive and growing trade across the region’s agriculture and food sectors.

The region accounts for half the farms in Canada, and just under half of Canada’s primary production and agriculture exports. On average, the region’s agriculture exports to China and Japan are valued at more than $2.2 billion annually, and account for more than 68 and 58 per cent of Canada’s agriculture exports to China and Japan respectively. Removing unnecessary barriers to trade, investment and labour mobility in Canada also makes the region a more desirable international partner.

As we move forward, one of the Government of Alberta’s top priorities is to ensure that our economy is the most competitive in Canada. This means encouraging innovation, productivity, the adaptation of new technologies and promoting our products on the global stage. The New West Partnership’s mission to China and Japan is one example of how we are making necessary changes and working to advance Alberta’s position in all sectors of the economy.

As the MLA for Edmonton MillWoods, I am always available to assist constituents. If you have any questions or concerns about land sales in Alberta, workplace injury and fatality records, the New West Partnership’s mission to Asia, or any other matter, I can be reached in my constituency office at #218; 4128A-97 Street, or in my Legislature office at (780 422-9299 or through email at [email protected]

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