At a Glance - Week of August 13, 2025
Alberta Invests in Energy Innovation Projects
Alberta is investing up to $12.7 million from the industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program into three energy innovation projects. These initiatives harness the province’s underground geological formations – such as natural caves – to enhance electricity grid resilience, safely store carbon dioxide, and extract critical battery metals. These projects aim to boost the economy, create well-paying jobs, and strengthen Alberta’s global competitiveness in energy innovation.
“These three projects will help tap into the massive potential of Alberta’s unique underground resources. By helping support these new technologies, we are showing how our unique geology can help grow the energy sector, strengthen the grid and create more high-paying jobs for Albertans for decades to come,” stated Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz.
Reduced Regulations in the Agricultural Sector
The Government of Alberta is eliminating 28.5 per cent of the regulations governing agricultural marketing boards and commissions, including 20 redundant rules, allowing producers to devote more time to food production and business growth. This regulatory streamlining empowers the province’s 19 marketing boards and commissions to better serve producers, promoting competitiveness, innovation, productivity, and efficiency in Alberta’s agricultural sector.
“Alberta is the best place to do business, and we are the best province in Canada at reducing red tape to promote economic growth. We want to continue to be a leader in this space, and that’s why we’re getting out of the way of our producers so they can continue to put food on tables in Alberta and around the world,” commented Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, RJ Sigurdson.
Continued Support for Innovative Research at Alberta’s Universities
The Government of Alberta is awarding over $8.4 million in Small Equipment Grants through the Research Capacity Program to support 35 research laboratories at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta. This funding supports high-impact fields including health innovation, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum science, energy, and wildfire management.
“Our province has a strong history of being on the leading edge of science. Programs like the Small Equipment Grant help ensure Alberta’s world-class institutions and their researchers can continue to make groundbreaking discoveries, commercialize their work for the benefit of all Albertans and Canadians, and compete for talent on the world stage,” commented Minister of Technology and Innovation, Nate Glubish.
Alberta Holds Consultations on Fuel Tax Rules
The provincial government is inviting feedback through a public consultation on a proposal to shift the provincial fuel tax exemption from marked fuel to clear fuel. Currently, marked fuel qualifies for a reduced tax rate of four cents per litre for eligible users. While the tax rate remains unchanged, transitioning to clear fuel could simplify the system and reduce costs for eligible consumers and fuel sellers. Industry input gathered this summer will inform recommendations presented to the government this fall.
The President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, Nate Horner, commented: “We’re committed to supporting Alberta’s agricultural and resource sectors with practical, cost-saving solutions. This proposal could reduce red tape and put more money back into producers’ pockets. We are looking forward to hearing directly from industry through this engagement.”