A diversified economy is critical to economic stability. Prior to the 1990s, Alberta had several prosperous industries: oil, agriculture, livestock, lumber.
However, t.conservative governments ignored all but oil, and have became the pawn of Big Oil. This led to the boom-bust cycles that Alberta is known for.
A NovaConservative government will facilitate a return to a diversified economy, plus initiate a value-added mandate for all Alberta products.
The value-added mandate
Alberta will only permit value added exports.
- not grains and pulse crops, but flour, cereals, and baked goods (mills and production facilities)
- not live animals, but processed animals (processing facilities)
- not raw logs, but lumber and products made from wood (lumber mills and manufacturing)
- not oil, but fuels and petroleum products thereof (refineries and manufacturing, also easier on pipelines)
- development of new sectors
This will bring economic diversity, quality jobs, and economic stability to Alberta.
Farming
Corporations are destroying the family farm. They want to monopolize the food chain from farm to table. Diversity is critical to a strong economy. Complicit t.conservative governments have allowed corporations to decimate Alberta farms and decimate all the downstream farming industries.
- Alberta used to have many major meat processing centers. Now there is only one.
- Since forever, Western Canada has shipped grain to Eastern Canada and the USA for processing. How ridiculous!
A NovaConservative government will halt corporate ownership of farms, and support industry led co-operatives. Existing corporate farms will be taxed as businesses, not farms.
A NovaConservative government will support the re-establishment of meat processing facilities and food processing facilities in Alberta. All animal exports will be value-added. At a minimum, Alberta will export steaks, roasts, ribs, etc. Beyond that, Alberta entrepreneurs could export prepared meals, leather goods, and whatever other value-added products they dream up.
A NovaConservative government will support the establishment of grain processing facilities and post-processing facilities in Alberta. All plant exports will be value-added. At a minimum, Alberta will export flour. Beyond that, Alberta entrepreneurs could export cereals, baked goods, and whatever other value-added products they dream up.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba also have major farming sectors. If they commit to the principles herein, a Western Canada value-added farming initiative could be arranged.
Logging
Like farming, Alberta logging has been decimated.
A NovaConservative government will support the establishment of sustainable logging.
A NovaConservative government will support the establishment of wood processing facilities and post-processing facilities in Alberta. All wood exports will be value-added. At a minimum, Alberta will export lumber. Beyond that, Alberta entrepreneurs could export prefabricated structures, wooden artwork, Muskoka chairs, and whatever other value-added products they dream up.
British Columbia also has a major logging sector, and they have seen their mills close and raw logs exported to the United States. If British Columbia commits to the principles herein, a Western Canada value-added logging initiative could be arranged.
Big Oil corruption
For over 50 years, Big Oil has influenced or outright controlled Alberta governments. Profits have streamed from Alberta to American executives and shareholders. Albertans have been left with toxic lakes, abandoned wells, and environmental destruction. No more. Big Oil can pay what they owe and leave, or they can face the new reality of responsibility.
There are dozens of companies (many Canadian) able to take over and play by fair rules. New companies will share will make reasonable profits and be better environmental stewards. This will benefit Alberta and Albertans, today and into the future.
A NovaConservative government will establish reasonable royalties for oil extraction.
A NovaConservative government will support the establishment of oil processing facilities and manufacturing facilities in Alberta, so that all petroleum exports are valued-added. At a minimum, different grades of fuel. Beyond that, Alberta entrepreneurs could export plastics, chemicals, and whatever other value-added products they dream up.
Beyond our traditional strengths …
Over time, industries and technologies become obsolete, and others emerge.
A NovaConservative government will support high technology, green energy, tourism, and future industries to establish and maintain a diversified economy.
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