This release was issued under a previous government.

Verlyn Olson, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development will discuss agriculture issues including Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) with U.S. and Canadian agriculture legislators, January 3-5 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Ken Lemke, MLA Stony Plain, will accompany the Minister at the Legislative Agriculture Chairs (LAC) Summit.

“COOL is an unfair regulation and a resolution opposing it was passed at last year’s LAC Summit in Vancouver. We need to continue to build on that momentum and I plan to discuss in detail what the retaliatory trade measures against the U.S. might be if COOL is not repealed.”

Verlyn Olson, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Dave Quest, MLA Strathcona-Sherwood Park and David Dorward, MLA Edmonton-Gold Bar, will represent Alberta at the Ports-to-Plains Alliance meeting San Antonio, Texas on January 6. The MLAs will then attend the Texas Transportation Forum from January 7-8.  Discussions will focus on bolstering trade through the economic corridor from Alberta to Texas.

“These meetings will provide Alberta with a wealth of information on infrastructure opportunities and how challenges are being addressed in the region. As part of our Building Alberta Plan we must ensure there are efficient trade corridors for goods and services to easily flow between jurisdictions.”

Dave Quest, MLA Strathcona-Sherwood Park

Alana DeLong, MLA for Calgary-Bow, will represent Alberta as part of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region meetings in three U.S. State legislatures. DeLong will be in Olympia, Washington on January 14-15, Boise, Idaho on January 16, and Juneau, Alaska on January 22.  Participation in these meetings ensures Alberta’s interests are represented in cross-border and regional matters.

“Alberta has a strong voice in PNWER. These visits provide an excellent opportunity to promote Alberta’s strengths as a valued trading partner while building on our strong relationships with each individual state.”

Alana DeLong, MLA for Calgary-Bow

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.

Related information

Legislative Agriculture Chairs

Ports-to-Plains Alliance

PNWER

Backgrounder

Itinerary for Minister Olson

January 3

Departs Edmonton for Oklahoma City

January 3

Pre-summit Canada delegation meeting in Oklahoma City

January 4-6

2014 LAC Summit various agriculture sessions and meetings

January 6

Departs Oklahoma City for Edmonton

Itinerary for MLA Lemke

January 3

Departs Edmonton for Oklahoma City

January 3

Pre-summit Canada delegation meeting in Oklahoma City

January 4-6

2014 LAC Summit various agriculture sessions and meetings

January 4

LAC Summit Energy Chairs organizational meeting

January 6

Departs Oklahoma City for Edmonton

Mission cost for Minister Olson and MLA Lemke is estimated at $11,400

Itinerary for MLA Quest

January 5

Depart Alberta for San Antonio, Texas

January 6

Attend Ports-to-Plains Board of Directors meeting

January 7-8

Attend Texas Transportation Forum

January 8 (evening)

Depart Texas for Alberta

Itinerary for MLA Dorward

January 5

Arrive in San Antonio, Texas

January 6

Attend Ports-to-Plains Board of Directors meeting

January 7-8

Attend Texas Transportation Forum

January 8 (evening)

Depart Texas

Mission cost for MLA Quest and MLA Dorward is estimated at $5,360

Itinerary for MLA DeLong

January 13

Depart Alberta for Olympia, Washington

January 14-15

Attend PNWER legislative visit in Olympia

January 15 (evening)

Depart Olympia for Boise, Idaho

January 16

Attend PNWER legislative visit in Boise

January 16 (evening)

Depart Idaho for Alberta

January 21

Depart Alberta for Juneau, Alaska

January 22

Attend PNWER legislative visit in Juneau

January 23

Depart Alaska for Alberta

Mission cost for MLA DeLong is estimated at $4,000