Sustaining Alberta’s Energy Value Chain
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Alberta Government to re-affirm its commitment to expand the energy value chain consistent with the Alberta Energy Strategy, Launching Alberta’s Energy Future.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Government work with industry to address the potential constraint of labour shortages and cost competitiveness that might inhibit major value added projects and economic prosperity for its citizens.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Government advocate for the concept of value creation from natural resources in Canada into any proposed Canadian energy policy framework.
WHEREAS Alberta is a global storehouse of energy assets, and energy development is the largest contributor to the provincial Gross Domestic Product (25.7%);
WHEREAS the provincial energy industry is a nationally strategic sector, accounting for 25% of the value of the Toronto Stock Exchange;
WHEREAS there is global market demand for Alberta’s energy resources and products;
WHEREAS current projections show that the ratio of value added products to raw bitumen exports is declining as production increases;
WHEREAS Alberta has a tremendous opportunity to sustain and stabilize its economy by strengthening and lengthening the energy value chain in the province; and
WHEREAS it is in everyone’s interest to expand Alberta’s energy sector value chain.
Energy - Nov 20, 2012
The Government of Alberta is committed to capturing greater value from our energy resources, now and into the future. To achieve this, the province continues to work with industry stakeholders to explore opportunities to expand hydrocarbon processing capacity in Alberta.
Treasury Board & Finance - November 28, 2012
The government remains committed to encouraging industry to make investments to expand the energy value chain. This encouragement comes in part throughAlberta’s very competitive provincial corporate tax regime. In addition, the government is continuing to explore new options to encourage industry investment.
One of the government’s key priorities is "Securing Alberta’s Economic Future." A part of this is investing in human capital, so that our knowledge-inspired economy can continue to keep us competitive. A primary vehicle for achieving these outcomes is the provincial labour force development strategy, Building and Educating Tomorrow’s Workforce (BETW). An update to BETW is under development, and is expected in early 2013.
A key focus of the government is to improve co-operation and collaboration in order to address the broader quality of life issues that make communities more attractive for people to live and work in. One of the many initiatives includes working with the AUMA to develop a strategy and tools to help welcome and integrate newcomers into communities. Another initiative involves the development of the Comprehensive Regional Infrastructure Sustainability Plans (CRISPs) in Alberta’s three oil sands areas.
AUMA accepts this response.