Karen Lewis's Page

Showcasing Alberta in the Middle East

Alberta’s Premier, Danielle Smith will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5 to promote Alberta as a global leader in responsible energy production and competitive destination for investment in energy, technology, agriculture and manufacturing. While in Saudi Arabia, Premier Danielle Smith will meet with government leaders in the energy and health sectors and leaders managing sovereign wealth investments, as well as the oil industry, including executives from Saudi Aramco, one of the largest oil companies in the world. In the energy meetings, the Premier will showcase how Alberta’s traditional and emerging energy resources, emissions-management expertise and technology leadership can help drive can drive energy security and reliability in global markets. The Premier will also promote Alberta as a competitive destination for investment across a range of sectors. The Premier will travel to the United Arab Emirates to join Alberta’s Minister of Jobs,

Beef Beyond Borders

Canada’s beef industry is built on exports. In 2024, Canada exported 550,000 metric tonnes of cattle and beef (net of imports). Most of Canada’s exports (75% of export volume and 79% of export value) went to the US because it’s right next door, our products are similar and American and Canadian consumers have comparable quality preferences and expectations. Japan was Canada’s second largest export market (9% of volume and 7% of value). Japan primarily buys brisket, flank/plate, chuck and rib from Canada. The “rib” primal is home to the ribeye steak, which is one of the most highly marbled and high-quality cuts. But “highly marbled” and “high-quality” are subjective terms! Anyone who has seen or tasted Japanese Wagyu beef knows that it is much more highly marbled than Canadian beef. The difference in marbling between Canadian and Japanese beef is partly due to genetics. Japanese Black cattle raised for Wagyu beef in Japan deposit more marbling than the beef breeds traditionally used i

Rooted in adventure, Alberta agri-tours grow

Over the past year through Travel Alberta’s investment program, $1.7 million has supported new and expanded agri-tourism experiences across Alberta. From farm-to-table dinners to ranch stays and corn mazes, these projects are giving visitors more ways to experience Alberta’s rural roots and support local communities. “By supporting agricultural-based businesses and operators, we are helping showcase Alberta’s small businesses and farms to the world, while boosting the local economy and creating jobs across the province.” Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport These investments are driving jobs and growth in rural communities and helping reach Alberta’s goal of growing the visitor economy to $25 billion annually by 2035. Support continues for Alberta Open Farm Days through the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies, helping connect Albertans and visitors with the farmers and producers who put food on their tables. The event has also become a catalyst for expanding foo

Kinew says drop tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to get Chinese duties dropped

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is asking the prime minister to scrap Canada’s 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in return for China lifting its tariffs on Canadian canola and pork. Kinew says in a letter to Mark Carney on Saturday that while he believes protecting Canada’s vehicle industry is important, he says the country’s approach “has created a two-front trade war that disproportionally affects Western Canada.” The premier says in the letter that China’s tariffs — widely seen as a response to Canada imposing the electric vehicle levy — have already caused a sharp drop in canola prices and that one vertically integrated pork producer in Manitoba is reporting a $19 million negative impact on an annual basis. Canada imposed the electric vehicle duty last year in lockstep with the United States, which also has a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, with Canada arguing the measure is meant to protect the country’s automobile industry.  Saskatchewan Premier Sc

Saskatchewan legislators spar over motion calling on Ottawa to remove EV tariff

Saskatchewan politicians levelled accusations of preening and reckless behaviour as they debated China’s punishing tariffs on Canadian canola in the legislature Thursday.  The furor was over the Saskatchewan Party government changing an Opposition NDP motion, which called on the federal government to remove its 100-per-cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles and restore market access for Canadian agriculture products.  Premier Scott Moe’s caucus struck out the NDP’s wording and added their own version that called for the same thing. His caucus also added a line commending Moe’s leadership on the file. The motion passed with the Saskatchewan Party majority voting in favour, while the NDP voted against.    New Democrats said the motion’s congratulatory wording of the premier was pompous and arrogant.   “They’re making it all about themselves and trying to fluff the feathers of the premier … at a time where we need to have the backs of producers,” Trent Wotherspoon, the party’s depu