Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals -Instagram Photo
EDMONTON — Alberta’s government is creating a new Premier’s Investment Council aimed at coordinating efforts across ministries and agencies to attract major projects and secure large-scale investment, with Energy and Minerals Minister and Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA Brian Jean and former prime minister Stephen Harper among its members.
The council, chaired by Danielle Smith, brings together senior cabinet ministers and representatives from seven provincial agencies involved in investment attraction, economic development and resource growth. It is intended to provide strategic advice and improve coordination across government as Alberta competes for global capital.
Officials say the council will focus on accelerating approvals and development of major projects while aligning government and agency efforts. The group will also track investment opportunities, assess Alberta’s competitiveness and help coordinate action on complex, cross-sector initiatives.
Smith says the council is designed to improve speed and coordination, bringing key decision-makers together to reduce barriers and attract investment linked to job creation and economic growth.
Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow says Alberta’s workforce, resources and business climate position the province to compete globally, adding the council will help strengthen that advantage.
The council will include members from agencies such as Alberta Investment Management Corporation, ATB Financial and Invest Alberta Corporation, as well as industry and institutional leaders.
The government says the council will operate in an advisory role and will not change the mandates of participating agencies. Members will not be paid.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to review Alberta’s approach to investment and develop a long-term strategy to grow and diversify trade and investment opportunities across the province.
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