Mandate Letter to Nate Horner - Minster of Agriculture and Irrigation

November 10, 2022

The Honourable Nate Horner Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Government of Alberta

Dear Minister Horner,

I want to thank you for your service to Albertans, and for your continued service as Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

Our Cabinet faces an extraordinary task: to deliver on a clear and bold mandate in a limited period of time. Albertans are counting on us, and they rightfully expect their government to address the challenges they are facing with our full attention and action.

First, I ask you to keep the inflation and affordability crisis top of mind. Affordability is the primary challenge facing Albertans today, and as a government we will ensure that Alberta families are able to manage through this storm by taking decisive action in the coming weeks and months.

Second, our Cabinet must continue to have a laser focus on job creation and strengthening Alberta’s economy. No matter what the industry, we must continue the good work of diversifying our economy through job creation to ensure all Albertans and their families can prosper.

Third, the challenges facing our healthcare system mean Albertans are not getting the necessary care they need when and where they need it. We will ensure all areas of the province receive prompt and efficient ambulance service. Our government will also act quickly to bring substantive improvements to emergency room services and clear surgical backlogs.

Finally, I expect our Cabinet to remain united and determined in the face of a federal government that no longer treats its partners in Confederation as equals. We must proactively protect Albertans from continued federal government overreach, including hostile economic policies that landlock our provincial resources, that chase billions in investment and thousands of jobs from our province, and that are detrimental to the short-term and long-term prosperity of Albertans.

While we may face challenges, I nonetheless have full confidence that our government can and will address these matters to secure a province that remains a safe haven for those seeking economic opportunity, prosperity, and freedom.

Under your leadership as Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, I expect you to work closely with your Cabinet and caucus colleagues and the public service through the committee, Cabinet, and legislative processes to deliver on commitments to support Albertans, including:

• As the lead, work with the President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance to develop and implement a Competitive Agri-Food Value-Added Processing and Manufacturing program that will make Alberta more competitive with competing jurisdictions.

• As the lead, work with the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas to expand and improve the irrigation network within Alberta to ensure Alberta is best served and maintains its standing as a global leader in food development and distribution.

• As the lead, work with the Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism to reduce barriers to interprovincial trade of meat.

• As the lead, work with the Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism to continue to work towards a customs pre-clearance process for the export of Alberta Agricultural products.

• Examine ways of reducing food costs for Alberta consumers.

• Continue to advocate on behalf of Alberta farmers and ranchers by identifying and pushing back on federal programs that hinder the advancement of production or improvement of yields to better supply Albertans and the world with food. Examples of these federal policies include, but are not limited to, fertilizer reductions, carbon taxes on fuel and natural gas for farms and equipment, Port of Vancouver access problems, and pest control regulations.

• Encourage increased nitrogen production in our strong petrochemical sector to reduce costs and improve availability of fertilizer for Alberta farmers.

• Complete a Made in Alberta Labelling Program to enhance Alberta products in the marketplace.

I’ve also assigned a Parliamentary Secretary for Agrifood Development, Glenn van Dijken, to work with your ministry on these priorities.

Your deputy minister and other senior officials in your ministry will support these priorities with the highest standard of professionalism and integrity. Alberta’s public service will provide you with non-partisan advice and loyal implementation of your mandate. As I mentioned, our ability to support Albertans in the coming months will require you to work respectfully with your officials, and often with tight timelines.

I expect all ministers and their staff to conduct themselves in all matters with the highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour. I expect you to be aware of, and to be fully compliant with, Alberta’s Conflicts of Interest Act, and that all ministers will protect the significant trust that Albertans have placed in our government.

We will come through this difficult and challenging period in Alberta’s history, so let us work together to fulfill and exceed our mandate on behalf of the good people of this great province. I am honoured to be working with you to build a stronger and more prosperous Alberta.

Thank you,
Danielle Smith Premier of Alberta