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By Curtis Galbraith

Provincial Politics

Forestry industry incentive, new campsites among items contained in mandate letter to Loewen

Jul 21, 2023 | 5:23 PM

Working to develop an incentive program for Alberta’s forestry industry is among the directives contained in Premier Danielle Smith’s mandate letter to Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen.

Smith’s letter says this would work along the lines of the province’s Agri-Processing Tax Credit.

He would work with the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade on this idea.

The letter to the Central Peace-Notley MLA also includes coming up with a plan to add 900 more campsites over the next ten years and developing a conservation and recreation strategy for Crown land among the top priorities.

There are also suggestions about reducing wait times for permit and license approvals and designing a plan specific to Forestry and Parks to attract young people to jobs available in the sector.

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The full list as follows is from a news release issued by the province:

• Working with the Minister of Treasury Board and Finance and Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, who is the lead, to develop an incentive program for the forestry industry that is similar to the Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit.
• Developing and implementing a plan for more than 900 new campsites and several new locations for comfort camping over the next 10 years.
• Investing an additional $5 million in trail upgrades for Kananaskis Country and building new trails and campgrounds across Alberta.
• Bringing stakeholders together to develop a Crown lands recreation and conservation strategy to expand public access while protecting natural spaces.
• Enabling the expansion of trails, campsites, and other public land use opportunities by Alberta entrepreneurs and other organizations.

The Premier also tasks Minister Loewen with:

• Exploring the best ways to improve infrastructure and services in Kananaskis, Canmore, Waiparous Creek, Crowsnest Pass, and other high-traffic recreational areas.
• Shortening timelines for permit and licence approvals in all areas of the ministry.
• Developing a plan with industry to use active forestry and grasslands management techniques to maintain the health and biodiversity of provincial lease lands and provide nature-based solutions for carbon sequestration.
• Designing a ministry-specific job-attraction strategy that raises awareness for young Albertans (aged 16 to 24) and adults changing careers of the skilled trades and professions available in each economic sector, including pathways for education, apprenticeship, and training.