bout de papier, Vol. 3, No. 3 (1985) — Fall 1985 // Automne 1985, pp. 27–28
This issue we look at Alberta. Stanley Engineering, Bow Valley Industries and Sprung International provide us with a look at their operations. The province’s Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs Department describes how they manage this activity.
In recent years, Alberta Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs has become increasingly active in the international sphere as a result of both the province’s expanding interest in international relations, and the ongoing interest of other countries in Alberta.
The department was established by an act of the Alberta Legislature in 1972. Its basic objectives are to represent Alberta’s interests as an equal partner in Confederation and to ensure that all intergovernmental activities of the Government of Alberta are conducted in a coordinated and consistent manner. As part of its mandate, the department conducts an ongoing review of the policies, programs and activities of other governments which may affect Alberta. It is a mandatory co-signatory of all intergovernmental agreements involving Alberta departments and/or agencies.
Much of the department’s activities throughout the 1970’s were focussed on a variety of domestic issues. Federal-provincial discussions involving the constitution and energy-pricing policy were, in particular, of major interest to the department during its initial period of existence. Recent years, however, have seen an increased emphasis on matters involving Alberta’s international interests and trade.
The department’s first major involvement with international issues occurred in 1977 when an interdepartmental Task Force on Tariffs and Trade was created under the aegis of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs. This Task Force was specitically created to coordinate Alberta’s contribution to the Canadian position at the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations. The Task Force was disbanded in 1979 when negotiations concluded. Its establishment, nevertheless, was a recognition of the importance of trade to the Alberta economy, and of the need to ensure an effective and timely presentation to Ottawa of Alberta’s various international interests.
The visits of Premier Lougheed to the Middle East and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1977, and the increasing number of foreign visitors to the province and consultations with the federal government on international matters served to further demonstrate the need for an increased capacity to monitor international developments and coordinate Alberta initiatives. In recognition of this need, the International Division was created as a separate section within the department in the spring of 1978.
The International Division of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs has primary responsibility for monitoring and coordinating Alberta’s international initiatives; and reviewing, as well as making recommendations, on provincial policies, programs and activities in relation to Canada’s foreign policy and those of other countries.
Alberta’s present international activities are concentrated in the areas of trade, foreign investment and energy, although there is significant interest in the fields of science and technology, foreign aid, culture and education. The division has responsibility for Alberta’s six foreign offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Houston. These offices ay a major role in the promotion berta’s interests outside Canada and a particularly active in the promotion of trade and investment opportunities and the gathering of economic information of interest to the province. The International Division is also the chief Alberta government contact with the Department of External Affairs, ensuring that Alberta’s input on a wide range of subjects in the international sphere is coordinated and timely. The latter role necessitates regular liaison with other Alberta departments, such as Agriculture and Economic Development, which are also active internationally.
The division has a lead role regarding Alberta’s three special relationships with provinces in Japan (Hokkaido),, China (Heilongjiang) and the Republic of Korea (Kangwon). These unique affiliations are based on Alberta’s strong economic interest in Asia and the desire to further develop these and other interests in the Asia-Pacific Rim. They provide an effective bridging mechanism, facilitating cooperation and exchange between different cultures, and acting as a door-opener for Alberta in its dealings in the three countries. In addition they allow Albertans to focus and concentrate their efforts and initiatives in a complex region. Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs has played a leading role in facilitating visits, exchanges and other contacts between Alberta and the three sister provinces.
While Asia is an important area of activity for the division, it also is active in many other parts of the world such as the United States, Europe and Latin America. In 1984-85 over 300 international visitors came to Alberta, from countries as diverse as Tanzania, Peru, Tunisia and Romania; and the division played an important role in many of these visits. The division also was involved in assisting with many overseas visits by Alberta ministers and officials including the Premier’s 1985 trip to Washington to discuss Canada/United States free trade.
(continued on page 28)
While Alberta has become an increasingly important international actor, it should be noted that such activities are conducted in the context of Canada’s overall foreign policy. While Alberta has specific objectives in the international field, and believes that there is a legitimate role for provinces in this area, it also feels strongly that Canada should speak with one voice internationally. The department and other Alberta departments, as well as the foreign offices, consequently work closely with the Department of External Affairs and Canadian posts abroad. It is the Alberta government’s view that the place for policy debate is within Canada. Alberta will continue to pursue its primary interest to the province, especially trade, agriculture and energy. Once, however, Canadian policy has been decided (through a national as opposed to federal decision-making process). Alberta adheres to Canadian policy and supports the Canadian position.
The continued strong representation of Alberta’s international interests in a variety of fields should serve to strengthen Canada’s reputation as a diverse and outward looking country. Alberta Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs will continue to be an important player in the articulation and advancement of those interests.
Prepared by the International Division, Alberta Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs.
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 3, No. 3 (1985) — Fall 1985 // Automne 1985, pp. 27–28. Read the rest of this issue →
