The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Speaking Notes for the Minister

University of Alberta
November 15, 2006

Thank you for that nice introduction. Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
There couldn't be a more perfect place to celebrate this new partnership in agriculture science than here at the University of Alberta, where research and farming come together.
It's an honour to accept this invitation to join IFASA on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. But more than that, it's truly an honour for my Department to be included in an organization that prides itself on quality - quality of work, quality of training, and quality of membership.
Putting an idea on paper and forming a club is easy. Anyone can do it. You can craft a nicely worded vision and mission statement, and make it all sound wonderful. You can impress the pants off folks with a splashy Web site.
But that's all just words and splash. Real quality stands out in the membership.
And that's what we have here with IFASA - the scientists and professionals who are leading the way for Alberta's agri-food industries.

If one goes by the saying that we're judged by the company we keep, I'd say my Department is fortunate and will be judged well in our new partnership with IFASA.
I'm also proud that AAFC will be part of the exciting research happening through IFASA. These programs are creating a new direction for agriculture science in Alberta. They're bringing new technologies and value-added products to Alberta farmers and industry.
In short, they're creating a buzz.
Take the Value-Added Meats Program, for instance. Its goal is to create a world-class centre for innovation in meat science.
The potential benefits for Alberta's agriculture sector are tremendous. New products and new technologies will help Alberta better compete with the U.S. in value-added meat products.
Success for Alberta means success for Canada. Every day, new markets are emerging for value-added agri-products, and programs like these will ensure Canada's success, globally, in the years to come.

Collaboration is nothing new for AAFC and Alberta. We've been working together for years, creating new research and economic opportunities for farmers and industry.
Back in May, I presented a new science and innovation strategy that sets a clear vision based on a set of principles that will help ensure a strong position for the sector in the global marketplace.
AAFC conducts about 44 per cent of the agricultural and food research in this Province and part of our science strategy is to use these resources to get the best possible return.
By becoming a member of IFASA, Canada's New Government is strengthening this collaboration and opening the doors for new opportunities, new growth and long-term prosperity for Alberta.
By joining IFASA, we're also strengthening our commitment to sharing resources and to applying these combined resources to address the priority areas of food quality and safety, genomics and bioproducts, and environmental sustainability.
We're helping to create strong research alliances which will lead to new economic opportunities for Alberta and Canada.

This Government's dedication to new opportunities for farmers and industry across Canada is clearly reflected in the additional 1.5 billion dollars we committed to our agriculture and agri-food sector in Budget 2006.
Today, more than ever, agriculture's success relies on the expertise and cooperative spirit of our research communities.
This speaks to the spirit of IFASA, and the alliances we're creating in agriculture science.
On behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, I am proud to join this distinguished membership. I am proud to join the club.
Thank you.