MLA Broyce Jacobs

On April 20, 2010, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan launched the New West Partnership agreement, creating an economic powerhouse of nine million people with a combined GDP of more than $550 billion.  
Building on the success of the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA), this ambitious agreement will create Canada’s largest barrier-free trade and investment market by including a new partner, Saskatchewan. Together, the three provinces will work together in unprecedented ways to benefit workers, businesses and investors.
Signed at the third joint British Columbia-Alberta-Saskatchewan Cabinet meeting in Regina, the New West Partnership contains four components:
A comprehensive economic agreement, which will remove remaining barriers to trade, investment and labour mobility, further enhancing the competiveness of Canada’s Western Provinces.
An international co-operation agreement that will see the three provinces co-operate on trade and investment missions to international markets, and share foreign market intelligence to advance joint interests and increase business competitiveness.
An innovation agreement, which will enable provincial innovation efforts to be co-ordinated to better attract investment and talent, helping build critical mass of innovative activities in the West.
A procurement agreement that will enable the provinces to capitalize on their combined buying power even though the joint procurement of goods and services.
“To compete in the 21st century global economy, governments must work together to break down barriers and create opportunity,” remarked Premier Ed Stelmach on this historical occasion.  “The New West Partnership creates more choice for businesses, workers and consumers.  It allows the west to market itself as one region to bolster export development and attract investment.”
The agreement will come into effect on July 1, 2010 and will help Alberta continue to lead Canada as it emerges from the economic recession.  
In May, I had the pleasure of attending several high school graduation ceremonies at Erle Rivers High School in Milk River (May 14), Magrath High School (May 21) and Warner High School on May 28.
Congratulations to all the other grads in Cardston-Taber-Warner from W.R Myers High School (May 15) and Warner High School (May 28).
This month, I had the honour of attending numerous special events, including:
Warner School Assembly on May 7 honouring Jessica Cameron and Heather Berzins for the 2010 Annual Work Safe Alberta Student Video Contest Awards for their incredible third place finish;
The Nikki Francis Benefit Super, Bake Sale and Auction on May 8 in Glenwood.  The event was very successful in raising funds for Nikki Francis, who has leukemia and requires a lung transplant in Edmonton.  The funds will help the family pay for expenses such as travel, housing and parking.  Thank you to the community for their generous donations.
The Premier’s Dinner in Edmonton on May 13;
A ribbon cutting ceremony on May 19 for the Cardston Outfall Project and sod turning for the New Cardston Soccer Field.
An information session on AMI on May 25 in Red Deer;
The Taber Parade on May 29.
If you have any questions, concerns or issues you’d like to discuss, please feel free to contact my office in Taber at 1-888-600-6080 or 403-653-5100 in Cardston. I can also provide congratulatory scrolls for birthdays 65 years and older and wedding anniversaries in five year increments, starting at 25 years.