The Minister of Agriculture was in Medicine Hat last Wednesday, on the last stop of his cabinet tour.
The Economic Development Alliance hosted the round table event, which covered a variety of topics from concerned landowners.
Minister Evan Berger, as well as Alberta Health parliamentary assistant Dave Rodney, spent two days in the City and surrounding area, visiting places like Red Hat, the College, Foremost, and finally stopping for the Round Table.
“It’s been a great visit to the Hat. There is a lot of things going on here that I don’t think a lot of Albertans realize are happening,” said Berger.
Although Minister Berger touched on the point that the greenhouses do not have an abundance of skilled workers, he sees a bright future for the family farms.
“It’s there for us to embrace, for us to grow. We have plenty of opportunity.”
Berger said that when they had met with manufacturing companies around Brooks, they were informed that the companies were taking skilled or unskilled workers either way, but they just can’t find the help.
“This is an issue all over Alberta,” said Berger.
Landowners attending the Round Table were interested in all Berger had to say, but to them, the most pressing matter was that of Bill 36, the Land Use Stewardship Act.
According to Berger, who said opinions on the issue-varied province wide, when it comes down to it, property rights are a discussion about statutory consent.
“People are passionate about property. It is what everyone depends on.”
Berger said that he has been hearing a variety of different outlooks on the property rights issues.
People in Lethbridge were saying not to start over.
Although there are varied responses to property rights all over the province, the Minister of Agriculture was quick to reassure the local landowners at the round table.
“I’m a agricultural producer and I understand this issue. Everyday I live it,” he said.
“Agriculture is going to be more protected than it has been before. You are looking at a growing province.
“Nothing is going to threaten your land rights in that way.”
According to Berger, the recommendations from the property rights task force open house, held on Jan. 17, will be compiled by Jan. 31.
“At that time, we will send out what was heard at that meeting.”
Berger said where they go from the compilations has not set its course yet.
“We want to see what the compilation involves and then step forward and complete a plan from there.”
Other than property rights, local landowners were also worried about disaster recovery as it pertains to agriculture.
“From a business perspective, we reacted very swiftly and cohesively in floods and fire situations this year.
“We learn from every disaster to prepare and change to what we might see.”
Berger said that there is always insurance programs in place, and that, as the government, they cannot step in front of insurance.
“Until all the pieces of the puzzle at the local level are put in place we don’t want to be in the middle of these things.
“We would only create more problems than we solve.”
Other topics touched on during the discussion were possibilities for larger water storage as well the possibility to capitalize on solar energy.