This Act lets the Minister set up programs to support jobs, investment, innovation, and economic diversification, and requires reporting and, in some cases, a bill in the Assembly.
PROMOTING JOB CREATION AND DIVERSIFICATION ACT Chapter P‑26.3 Table of Contents 1 Definition 2 Establishment of programs 2.1 Increasing access to technology‑related post‑secondary programs 2.2 Strategic plan and investment strategy 3 Regulations 4 Reports 5 Advisory panels or committees Preamble WHEREAS Albertans desire a prosperous and vibrant economy that offers employment opportunities for Albertans of different skills and backgrounds; WHEREAS all areas of Alberta, from rural communities and indigenous communities to the largest cities, will benefit from a stronger and more diversified economy; WHEREAS the Government is committed to supporting working people and their families and supporting businesses in their efforts to create and retain jobs and to diversify the products and services Albertans sell and the markets Albertans sell into; WHEREAS supporting new and existing technologies and providing for a highly skilled and technologically capable workforce will contribute to innovation, job creation and a diversified Alberta economy that attracts new investment; WHEREAS by harnessing the opportunity for diversification and investment, Albertans can realize additional jobs and benefits from Alberta’s many resources; and WHEREAS accessing additional markets will give Alberta exporters and manufacturers more opportunities, choice and certainty; THEREFORE HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows: Definition 1 In this Act, “Minister” means the Minister determined under section 16 of the Government Organization Act as the Minister responsible for this Act. Establishment of programs 2 The Minister may establish programs that focus on supporting working people and job creators, attracting investment and diversifying Alberta’s economy, including, without limitation, programs that (a) create partnerships that support entrepreneurship and a focus on innovation, (b) increase access to capital, (c) help businesses to grow and succeed, (d) help working people upgrade their skills and secure employment, (e) help communities and regions build on their economic strengths, (f) increase the development and adoption of Alberta innovations, and (g) support export development. Increasing access to technology‑related post‑secondary programs 2.1 (1) The Minister of Advanced Education shall (a) take steps to increase the number of seats in new and existing technology‑related post‑secondary programs by 3000 over the next 5 years, (b) consult with interested parties, including industry , post‑secondary institutions, students, Alberta Innovates and organized labour to develop, in accordance with subsection (2), a strategy to allocate those 3000 seats, and (c) take steps to establish new scholarships or awards to support learning in new and existing technology‑related post‑secondary programs. (2) In developing a strategy for the purpose of subsection (1)(b), the Minister of Advanced Education must consider the following: (a) the credentials should be widely recognized by industry and post‑secondary institutions; (b) the programs should be designed to respond to changing market demand; (c) the programs should provide opportunities for the development of new or improved skills including for under‑represented groups; (d) the programs should be cost effective. (3) The Minister of Advanced Education must annually, and more frequently if the Premier directs, report to the Executive Council on the progress and results of the steps taken and strategies developed under subsection (1). 2018 c8 Sched. 3 s3 Strategic plan and investment strategy 2.2 The Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors shall submit to the Executive Council a strategic plan and investment strategy in support of advancing unmanned aerial systems to make Alberta a leader in this area of technology and in support of job creation, economic diversification and investment in Alberta. 2018 c8 Sched. 3 s3;2022 c21 s68 Regulations 3 (1) The Minister may, if regulations are necessary to give effect to a program to be established under section 2, make regulations respecting the program, including its implementation. (2) Despite subsection (1), if the Minister wishes to establish an investor tax credit program or a capital investment tax program, the Minister must introduce in the Assembly a bill to establish that tax program. Reports 4 The Minister must annually, and more frequently if the Premier directs, report to the Executive Council on the Minister’s progress in establishing and implementing any programs under section 2. Advisory panels or committees 5 The Minister may establish any panels or committees the Minister considers necessary to provide advice and recommendations regarding (a) improving the current state of Alberta’s economy, including proposals from industry, business, labour groups and academics on actions to improve economic prosperity in Alberta, and (b) measuring the success of current initiatives and programs designed to improve economic prosperity in Alberta.