We’ll all emerge stronger by working together

Politics can’t get in the way of growth, writes, Joe Ceci

There is no doubt Alberta is facing a once-in-ageneration economic downturn that is rippling across our province, affecting families and businesses.

Rather than sit back and witness our province suffer as folks lose their jobs and families struggle, our government has taken the proactive approach to spur on economic diversification and development.

We will act as a shock absorber by investing in infrastructure that will keep Albertans working, while we continue to be a good partner of the private sector and job creators.

Partnering with experts and successful private enterprise means we will continue to listen to the best advice, remain open and transparent in order to create a positive investment environment. We won’t let politics get in the way of positive economic growth. Instead, we will rely on experts in industry, at arm’s length to make these important and difficult decisions. Our government will also continue the long tradition of ingenuity and entrepreneurship in Alberta by creating more tools for businesses to start and grow.

This is the advice economists agree is the right approach and will ensure Alberta emerges from this downturn stronger than ever.

That’s why we’ve committed $34 billion into a provincial capital plan that will help build the much-needed roads, schools and hospitals Albertans have done without for too long.

Moreover, our government has taken a hands-on approach to further stimulate economic diversification by turning to our venture capitalists, our entrepreneurs and our greatest resource — our skilled and educated workforce — and providing them with the resources they need to grow their businesses and capitalize on their innovative ideas.

To date, we’ve mobilized more than $2 billion in capital through Alberta Treasury Branch, the Alberta Enterprise Corp. and AIMCo to support growth across the province. We’ve adopted a new strategy to ensure that it is professionals with real experience in business development and investment — not politicians — who make the financial decisions that will drive small and medium-sized business development.

It’s not the government’s role to pick the recipients of these grants, but instead, it’s up to the experts who will be loaning the capital.

This investment means the folks who have great ideas that will contribute to a more diverse provincial economy will have the muchneeded capital they require to get their business off the ground or to grow their capacity.

This investment of capital also extends to our energy industry.

Coupled with our updated royalty system, energy producers are now encouraged to become more nibble and efficient in the way they extract our resources.

These incentives will contribute to a more streamlined process that will allow our province to continue to be an energy leader, despite the volatile market.

Our carbon pricing will also help us accomplish this goal, by encouraging Albertan families and businesses to roll back their carbon output. Dollars raised by this program will then be fully recycled back into our economy, where it will be invested into targeted economic incentives, help low-income households and grow our renewable energy industry. Job creators, like so many small businesses across our province, will also see relief when the details of the plan are presented in our 2016 budget.

As the government moves forward on this ambitious plan to strengthen our province’s economy, Albertans will continue to pay the lowest taxes in all of Canada. With no PST, no payroll tax and no health-care levies, Alberta businesses continue to maintain an incredible tax advantage.

By partnering together, Alberta families, businesses and our government will emerge from this downturn with a resilient and diversified economy.

Albertans will continue to pay the lowest taxes in all of Canada.