As Alberta businesses grapple with the dual pressures of evolving global trade policies and persistent interprovincial trade barriers, a balanced approach is essential to navigating this challenging terrain. With the incoming U.S. President placing tariffs back in the spotlight, and Canada still contending with barriers within its own borders, the time is ripe to explore the opportunities that lie within
these challenges.
When people think of innovation, their minds often go to cutting-edge software, artificial intelligence or tech startups. While those advancements are undeniably transformative, Alberta is proving that innovation doesn’t just belong to Silicon Valley or the digital world. Instead, Alberta has positioned itself as a leader in non-traditional innovation—where creative solutions to real-world challenges drive economic growth, job creation, and community revitalization.
Alberta, with its wealth of natural resources, skilled workforce and strategic position within North America, is ripe for the establishment of a comprehensive Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) that goes beyond logistics to encompass manufacturing, job creation and economic development.
Canada’s small businesses have a big impact on our economy. As of 2021, there were 1.21 million employer businesses in the country. Of that number, nearly 98 per cent were small businesses. Over eight million Canadians, or roughly 68 per cent of the total private sector labour force, were employed by a small business.1 To top it off, they generated nearly 38 per cent of private sector GDP in 2019.
Canada’s small businesses have a big impact on our economy. As of 2021, there were 1.21 million employer businesses in the country. Of that number, nearly 98 per cent were small businesses. Over eight million Canadians, or roughly 68 per cent of the total private sector labour force, were employed by a small business.1 To top it off, they generated nearly 38 per cent of private sector GDP in 2019.
Alberta’s been on a roll. In July, Moody’s upgraded Alberta’s outlook from stable to positive and affirmed its AA2 credit rating. The respected research firm cited the province’s balanced budget, debt repayment legislation and spending constraints for its decision.
The current federal government decree is for all new passenger vehicles to have net-zero emissions by 2035 – that’s only 11 years away. Rather than liquid or gaseous fuel, electric vehicles (EVs) run on electricity and must get that electricity from somewhere.
The precarity of our supply chains was one of the unsettling realities revealed by the pandemic. All it took was a strain on a single link to cause shortages throughout the system. In some cases, it was an annoying inconvenience. In other cases, it was much more serious, including shortages of baby formula, computer chips and the contrast dye used for X-rays, ultrasounds, CT and MRI scans.
The poor state of Canadian infrastructure should be a cause of concern to all levels of government. However, as provincial governments across the country are stepping up to make key infrastructure investments, Ottawa signals that they will continue to inconvenience Canadians on their path to a “better future.”
To thrive, the vertical farming sector must address broader market needs by expanding beyond microgreens and leafy greens to include a wider variety of produce. This diversification, along with managing unit costs, ensuring power reliability and affordability and developing a skilled workforce, are crucial for meeting retailer and consumer demands.
