It has been a tempest of a year for MLA for Drumheller-Stettler Nate Horner as the government deals with the pandemic economic recovery and getting the province on track.
For Horner, he has seen big changes to his portfolio and responsibilities, In July of last year, he was appointed Associate Minister of Rural Economic Development. As he was getting used to this new role, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen resigned his post, and Horner was appointed in his stead.
“Since I was appointed Associate Minister of Rural Economic Development, it has really been a blur. Taking on the Agriculture and Forestry file in the middle of the session was quite something I’ll never forget. You get handed three- six-inch binders, and they say to learn this, and briefing after briefing from the departments and making sure you are up to speed all the things that are churning in the department,” he said. “It was a lot, but I am grateful for it. It’s a good way to dive in and learn as well.”
He says he feels he has a good handle on it and is excited about the forestry aspects of the job, and is still working hard on agriculture.
“We have been through a very tough year in the agriculture sector and most people you speak to, farmers and ranchers, are excited to let 2021 go by the wayside and want to see what 2022 has to offer. Everything from fertilizer prices to insurance programs and obviously fears that drought will continue. Obviously, lots to watch on the ag file. Food prices, food security, and how inflation is impacting everything on the grocery shelves, it seems like there’s a lot of awareness with the general public. I think that provides a lot of opportunities for agriculture, but it is also going to be one of those years where we could use some good luck. If Mother Nature helps out, it would help a lot of things,” he said.
Economically it appears the province is getting on track, especially with strengthening oil and gas markets. Despite this, the province is lagging behind the rest of the country in employment. Horner explains this is partially to do with a misalignment of skills.
“I think some of these metrics may be a little misleading. I think what we do see is a misalignment of skills. Where the jobs are coming back, they are not traditional jobs, they are not the same jobs necessarily,” he said. We have absolute shortages in many sectors, and we are trying to deal with it through our post-secondary and even our high schools. We want to make sure we are training people for the jobs that exist. I think it is an important time in the history of the province, where transformational change is required.” we need to create the labour force that is needed.”
He highlights industries such as the new greenhouse development near Acme.
“I have had many chats with the education Minister and Minister of Advanced Education just about how we can use the local high school and what partnerships with local colleges create more of these opportunities where kids can get paid while they are gaining experience while in high school and come out with skills that actually allow them to be hired in that industry,” said Horner.
He acknowledges the Pandemic continued to challenge the province and has undermined the confidence in the government.
“I hope people see there are no easy answers dealing with the bottleneck and lack of resources at the ICU level, but I think just by trying to keep politics out of it and hear everyone out, we have learned a lot over the last couple of years. I am very pleased kids are going back to school,” he said.
He says right now the Treasury Department is working hard on the upcoming budget.
“I think this is the budget we can show Alberta even through this difficult time and rising costs everywhere, and pandemic efforts. We have stuck to our word, and we should be able to see we are coming in line with our comparable provinces while keeping our net GDP to debt down. I would love to see a credit rating upgrade next year,” he said.
“I think we have done a good job with the books for the most part and with the bounce back in the price of oil. A $12 billion swing was incredible; from looking at $18 billion in the hole to around $6 billion.”