Cultivating economic growth in rural Alberta

May 07, 2024

Alberta’s government is committed to attracting investment and jobs to continue to drive the economic engine of Canada. In addition to reducing unnecessary red tape and introducing the job creation tax cut, which ensured the province has the lowest taxes in the country, Alberta’s government introduced its deal-closing incentive, the Investment and Growth Fund (IGF). This program builds on the Alberta Advantage: the lowest corporate tax in Canada and among the lowest in North America, a highly skilled workforce, an abundance of natural resources, a world-class education system, and a thriving research and development pipeline.

Thanks in part to the rural stream of the IGF, Logistik Unicorp Inc. has chosen to invest in the development of a processing hemp plant in Elk Point in partnership with Frog Lake First Nations. The facility will create an estimated 33 permanent full-time and 50 temporary jobs.

“Alberta’s government has created an investment friendly environment with policies and programs that support companies like Logistik Unicorp in choosing to expand in our province. With the lowest corporate tax rate in Canada, a highly skilled workforce and investment incentive programs like the Investment and Growth Fund, businesses can feel confident about investing in Alberta.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade
Quebec-based Logistik Unicorp Inc. is the largest uniform company in Canada and has more than 10 years’ experience in the hemp industry. Their goal is to create the most advanced hemp processing plant in the world. The company received $1.1 million through the IGF to advance those goals in Alberta.

This partnership, operating under the Askiy Hemp LP, involves building a decortication, refinement and cottonization hemp plant with a capacity to process 40,000 tonnes of hemp stalks per year. The aim is to use hemp cultivated nearby in Frog Lake First Nations and other neighbouring Indigenous communities on 125,000 acres of land. Together, the new hemp growing operation and the hemp processing plant will contribute to the growth of Alberta’s agriculture sector and create valuable jobs in the region.

“This investment by Logistik Unicorp is great news for the town of Elk Point and will bring in much-needed jobs and investment to the community and highlights our government’s commitment to economic development in all corners of Alberta. These kind of foundational moments trigger growth in an area, and we see a real opportunity.”

Scott Cyr, MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul

"We are pleased to be part of the transformation of the Canadian industrial landscape by fostering economic development for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Working with Frog Lake First Nations is a natural step in creating this new market within our economy. In line with Canada's vision of growth and reconciliation, this inspiring project is rooted in and springs from our environmental values, bringing about the creation of a unique and promising new hemp industry, a reflection of Canada’s resourcefulness."

Louis Bibeau, president and CEO, Logistik Unicorp Inc.

“As the Chief of Frog Lake First Nations, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our people. This can only be done by diversifying and by making investments such as this, as it is an important factor to the nations’ growth. I want to take this time to thank Logistik Unicorp for approaching Frog Lake First Nations to develop a joint venture partnership and form Askiy Hemp LP. This is a great opportunity for economic growth for Frog Lake First Nations. It will provide a large scale of opportunities in green energy, food and water sovereignty, clean transportation, carbon sequestration and sustainable projects. It will also provide a number of employment opportunities for our nation’s members as well.”

Chief Gregory Desjarlais, Frog Lake First Nations
Alberta’s government is committed to working with Indigenous communities like Frog Lake First Nations to create economic and social opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. Welcoming Logistik Unicorp to the region will support strong, vibrant Indigenous communities and create opportunities for Indigenous people to fully participate in a prosperous, competitive and diverse Alberta. Frog Lake First Nations is a majority owner in the project and plans to cultivate hemp to supply to the facility.

“On behalf of the Town of Elk Point, we are excited that with the assistance and encouragement of our government, Askiy Hemp LP has decided to invest in our town. Askiy Hemp LP is a shining example of the collaboration between our First Nation friends and the private sector to promote economic and agricultural development within our region. Most important of all, this venture also provides employment opportunities for our Frog Lake First Nations and residents, as well as future economic development opportunities within our region.”

Parrish Tung, mayor, Elk Point
The IGF has been providing an extra incentive to close deals across Alberta since 2021. Budget 2024 dedicates $15 million for the Investment and Growth Fund to secure private-sector investments, of which $5 million is dedicated to rural Alberta.

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Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.