Alberta government refocuses on market access and competitiveness

These new appointments in key markets around the world underline a fresh approach on global affairs, and signal streamlined priorities that will be fundamentally tied to achieving secure market access and improving Alberta’s global competitiveness overall. They reflect a clear indication of the importance placed on enhancing intergovernmental and industry relationships across Canada, the United States and around the world. More effective global partnership development across government and industry is a priority of the Prentice Government. 

In addition to seeing the Premier retain the duties of the International and Intergovernmental Relations, and Aboriginal Relations portfolios, the government has also recruited individuals who are leaders with deep expertise in priority geographies. 

“I am honoured to welcome our new Senior Representatives. These are people who have considerable skills that will advance Alberta’s interests in terms of relationship-building, policy alignment and market development. Each will work in close contact with our government’s overall efforts to remove barriers and ensure that market access and global prices are achieved.”

Today’s appointments include the following:

Asia Pacific

Ron Hoffmann has accepted the position as Alberta’s Senior Representative for the Asia Pacific Basin and will immediately begin to conduct a review of Alberta’s offices in Asia and make recommendations to ensure all Alberta activities abroad are optimally aligned. Alberta presently has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo. Mr. Hoffmann will also begin to work closely towards the transition of the Hong Kong office, to ensure an orderly handover following the expiration of Gary Mar’s contract in June 2015.

United States 

Hon. Rob Merrifield, who has resigned his seat in the House of Commons, has accepted the position as Senior Representative to the United States of America. His position builds on his extensive experience representing Canada in America, most recently as a Congressional Liaison for the Government of Canada. Mr. Merrifield will replace David Manning, following an orderly transition of the Alberta office in Washington.

Canada 

Hon. Jay Hill has accepted a position as Senior Representative in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the North and to the New West Partnership. His position represents a realignment of the existing representation based in Ottawa with a priority focus on market access and Western Canadian partnerships. Alan Ross, who is the government’s current representative in Ottawa, tendered his resignation in August 2014 in order to return to private sector pursuits. He will stay on until the end of October in order to assist with transition.

The Premier thanked departing representatives for their service. Contracts for new Senior Representatives will be in keeping with Alberta’s International Service Guidelines and other departmental guidelines and subject to Public Service Commissioner approval. Each contract will be struck through the International and Intergovernmental Relations Department.

Backgrounder

Biographies of Alberta's new senior representatives

Ron Hoffmann
Alberta Senior Representative for the Asian Pacific Basin

Western Canadian Ron Hoffmann has dedicated most of his life to advancing Canada’s interests on the world stage. After working in minerals exploration in northern Manitoba and as an economic and environmental advisor to the Ontario government, he joined Canada’s diplomatic service as a Trade Commissioner. Mr. Hoffmann spent much of his diplomatic career in Asia. He was Ambassador to Afghanistan during the height of Canada’s military, diplomatic and development deployment. He was Ambassador to Thailand, with cross-accreditation to Burma, Cambodia and Laos, and served in the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. He headed Canada’s Trade office in Johannesburg, South Africa, was Trade Commissioner in the Netherlands, and was the Canadian High Commission’s Minister for Political Affairs and Public Diplomacy in London. In Ottawa, Mr. Hoffmann held senior advisory positions and directorships, including Asia Policy and Strategy. He has served on Advisory Boards and Leadership Councils and lectures frequently on foreign policy and international affairs. Mr. Hoffmann and wife Andrea have two adult daughters.

Hon. Rob Merrifield, P.C.
Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States of America

In 2012, Hon. Rob Merrifield received a Prime Minister’s mandate to engage the United States Congress on issues relevant to Canadian interests. Over two years, he met with members and Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate members on issues such as the Keystone XL Pipeline, mandatory country of origin labelling and Buy American legislation. In 2014, the Hill Times newspaper listed Mr. Merrifield at No. 17 on its list of top 100 people influencing Canadian foreign policy. Mr. Merrifield was first elected the MP for Yellowhead in 2000. In the Harper government, his chairmanships included the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade and the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Association. He was Minister of State for Transport from 2008 to 2011, and held a seat on the Treasury Board of Canada. Mr. Merrifield was raised on a dairy farm outside of Whitecourt, Alberta, where he and wife Brenda also raised their two sons. Mr. Merrifield’s previous community service included school, hospital and health boards in Whitecourt, and the Woodlands County Council. The Merrifields enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren.

Hon. Jay Hill
Alberta’s Senior Representative to Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the North and the New West Partnership

Jay Hill was the MP for Prince George-Peace River in northern B.C. for 17 years, five of them in the Harper government. He served as Chief Government Whip, on the Privy Council of Canada and Treasury Board of Canada. He also served as Minister of State, Government House Leader, and was the lead minister on the Board of Internal Economy and Vice-Chair on the Cabinet Operations Committee to Chair Jim Prentice. Before being elected, Mr. Hill worked in oil and gas for five years and was a long-time farmer. He is a founding member of the B.C. Grain Producers Association and served the B.C. government in a number of agricultural directorships. Jay completed the Institute of Corporate Directors education program. Mr. Hill relocated to Calgary and became a government and public affairs advisor to major corporations as Hon. Jay Hill Consulting Inc. He served on the board for the Centre for Energy Information in Calgary and is the B.C. government representative on the board of the public-private Northstar Trade Finance Inc. that provides financing for Canadian SME exporters. Mr. Hill volunteers as a director on the Alberta Canadian Forces Liaison Council.