Global Public Affairs

Alberta Provincial Government Relations

As Canada's economic engine, Alberta continues to be a launch pad for political and public policy change. Leadership in Alberta has remained in the hands of the Progressive Conservative party since 1971.

The party's fourth Premier, Ed Stelmach won an historic election victory in 2008 on a platform of continued economic prosperity, and long-term plans for land use, climate change, energy development, infrastructure and health care. Since then, components of Premier Stelmach's agenda and the Alberta PC Party itself have been at risk due to an economic downturn, declining energy prices, and the rise of new political forces. Nevertheless, the opportunity exists for interested stakeholders to move key policy and legislative issues forward, as Stelmach will be looking to keep his agenda intact and successfully lead the province out of the recession.

Global Public Affairs has a dedicated team in its Calgary office that fulfills multiple roles. This office serves both Alberta-based clients with federal government relations needs, as well as servicing clients with interests in Alberta. As more federal issues are driven through provincial initiatives, Alberta remains a powerful lever, potential ally and advocate for issues facing industry.

With the provincial government's desire to consult, being part of the policy development process is crucial. Some of the issues driving government relations include:

• Developing and aligning climate change policy in Alberta, across Canada and North America. Alberta's position on climate change policy takes into account the importance of the energy industry to the Canadian economy and the need for technological development including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), but continues to play catch-up with prevailing opinion elsewhere in North America.
• The development and implementation of strategic plans for land-use, and energy resource development. This includes an increased focus on cumulative environmental impacts, growth pressures on resource communities, and on adding value to energy products.
• Significant budgetary power directed into long-term investment, leading to unprecedented procurement and service opportunities, especially in education, technology and infrastructure.
• International attention and investment in Alberta corporations and projects.

Global's Alberta practice has served clients in several varied fields including the consumer products, petrochemicals, oil sands, not-for-profit, procurement, technology, mining, research and health care sectors.