Critics are lambasting Alberta Premier Jason Kenney for giving the man who originally gave up his seat so Kenney could get into the Legislature a plum government posting earning $9,635 bi-weekly..Dave Rodney gave up his Calgary Lougheed seat in 2017 for Kenney to run in when he became leader of the UCP..This week he was named Alberta’s new trade envoy to the city of Houston for a three year term..“This quarter of a million dollars taxpayer funded salary would be extremely hard to justify even during the best of times. But it’s completely out of touch with the realities facing the many jobless Albertans who will be paying Rodney’s salary,” said Franco Terrazzano, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Alberta Director..“The United Conservatives are supposed to be fixing the government’s spending problem, so when are they going to tighten their belts?.“The government should stick to attracting investment by cutting taxes and red tape.”.The government said Rodney will work to establish closer business relationships and pursue new investment opportunities that will revitalize Alberta’s energy sector and create jobs, since the province is a major supplier of energy resources to Texas and other states..“I am pleased to announce that Dave Rodney has been appointed as Alberta’s agent general to Houston. Texas is Alberta’s second-largest export market in the United States, and it is vital we have an in-market presence to lead Alberta’s efforts to expand our commercial ties to the region. With his extensive government experience and his personal drive, Alberta needs someone like Dave who will engage with American business leaders and investors and put Alberta’s interests first. I have the utmost confidence he is the right person for this role,” said Kenney.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .“As economies gradually reopen, Alberta needs to be equipped and ready to rebuild its economic relationships with our trading partners. I am pleased that Dave Rodney has agreed to take on the role of agent general; we are beginning a new chapter in Alberta’s relationship with the United States and we need a person of his calibre to seek out new opportunities for Alberta’s businesses,” said Ministe of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism Tanya Fir..Rodney, the first Canadian to summit Mount Everest twice, said: “I am humbled by the trust that Premier Kenney has placed in me, since he has asked me to assist as Alberta’s agent general to Houston, U.S.A. It is an honour to serve the people of the province as we seek to advance the interests of Albertans in this invaluable market. Together, we will prove that investor confidence in numerous sectors is best placed in Alberta; with the resultant improvement of the livelihoods and quality of life of thousands of Albertans.”.Quick facts.During his mission to Houston in November 2019, Premier Kenney announced that Alberta would formally establish a presence in Houston.Texas is Alberta’s second-largest export market overall, and Alberta’s exports to Texas in 2018 totalled $11.6 billion worth of goods. Energy exports accounted for $8 billion.Alberta is one of the largest suppliers of imported oil and gas to the United States.In 2018, Alberta’s crude oil exports accounted for about 38 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports.Alberta is the largest supplier of natural gas to the U.S., providing about 70 per cent of the country’s imports in 2018.In 2018, Alberta and Texas signed a memorandum of understanding to seek opportunities to enhance trade and investment and to explore prospects for economic development that could contribute to job growth in Alberta and Texas across several sectors..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
Critics are lambasting Alberta Premier Jason Kenney for giving the man who originally gave up his seat so Kenney could get into the Legislature a plum government posting earning $9,635 bi-weekly..Dave Rodney gave up his Calgary Lougheed seat in 2017 for Kenney to run in when he became leader of the UCP..This week he was named Alberta’s new trade envoy to the city of Houston for a three year term..“This quarter of a million dollars taxpayer funded salary would be extremely hard to justify even during the best of times. But it’s completely out of touch with the realities facing the many jobless Albertans who will be paying Rodney’s salary,” said Franco Terrazzano, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Alberta Director..“The United Conservatives are supposed to be fixing the government’s spending problem, so when are they going to tighten their belts?.“The government should stick to attracting investment by cutting taxes and red tape.”.The government said Rodney will work to establish closer business relationships and pursue new investment opportunities that will revitalize Alberta’s energy sector and create jobs, since the province is a major supplier of energy resources to Texas and other states..“I am pleased to announce that Dave Rodney has been appointed as Alberta’s agent general to Houston. Texas is Alberta’s second-largest export market in the United States, and it is vital we have an in-market presence to lead Alberta’s efforts to expand our commercial ties to the region. With his extensive government experience and his personal drive, Alberta needs someone like Dave who will engage with American business leaders and investors and put Alberta’s interests first. I have the utmost confidence he is the right person for this role,” said Kenney.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .“As economies gradually reopen, Alberta needs to be equipped and ready to rebuild its economic relationships with our trading partners. I am pleased that Dave Rodney has agreed to take on the role of agent general; we are beginning a new chapter in Alberta’s relationship with the United States and we need a person of his calibre to seek out new opportunities for Alberta’s businesses,” said Ministe of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism Tanya Fir..Rodney, the first Canadian to summit Mount Everest twice, said: “I am humbled by the trust that Premier Kenney has placed in me, since he has asked me to assist as Alberta’s agent general to Houston, U.S.A. It is an honour to serve the people of the province as we seek to advance the interests of Albertans in this invaluable market. Together, we will prove that investor confidence in numerous sectors is best placed in Alberta; with the resultant improvement of the livelihoods and quality of life of thousands of Albertans.”.Quick facts.During his mission to Houston in November 2019, Premier Kenney announced that Alberta would formally establish a presence in Houston.Texas is Alberta’s second-largest export market overall, and Alberta’s exports to Texas in 2018 totalled $11.6 billion worth of goods. Energy exports accounted for $8 billion.Alberta is one of the largest suppliers of imported oil and gas to the United States.In 2018, Alberta’s crude oil exports accounted for about 38 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports.Alberta is the largest supplier of natural gas to the U.S., providing about 70 per cent of the country’s imports in 2018.In 2018, Alberta and Texas signed a memorandum of understanding to seek opportunities to enhance trade and investment and to explore prospects for economic development that could contribute to job growth in Alberta and Texas across several sectors..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
