Albertans are being encouraged to support one another during a time of financial uncertainty, with a new provincial campaign focusing on the province’s agriculture producers and processors.
The Government of Alberta has launched the Buy Local campaign to promote homegrown goods across the province.
The initiative is being led by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson.
Sigurdson said he’s pleased Alberta’s agriculture industry has not been targeted by tariffs, and noted the provincial government will continue to advocate for Alberta agriculture.
“Now more than ever, we must come together as a community, as a province, and as a country to support Canadian agriculture,” said Sigurdson during the April 14 announcement. “When you gather with your family and friends, please start a conversation about how important it is for us to support our local farmers.
“The strength of our province lies in the ability for us to come together to ensure that our local industries thrive. Every decision to buy local and every purchase you make helps keep Alberta strong. It helps protect jobs in the province, and it helps protect our economy.”
The campaign includes the Made in Alberta program, launched in 2023, which allows producers to opt in to have their products labelled as Alberta-made.
When asked for clarification, Sigurdson said the program will remain voluntary.
“That allows producers to make the decision on whether they want to partake in the program and that labelling,” he said. “Of course, we are encouraging producers and processors to take a look at the opportunities through this program to help clearly identify to consumers that these products are sourced and manufactured right here in our great province of Alberta.”
The campaign launch comes in early spring, just ahead of the busiest time of year for farmers’ markets. The province estimates more than 150 markets will be held across Alberta this summer.
The province also has a Made in Alberta product catalogue available online.
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