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Grants for Alberta Brewers a Recipe for Success

Dear Editor, As an Alberta MLA I was disappointed, but not surprised, to see the Highwood Wildrose MLA attack our government’s plan to support jobs and economic diversification in Alberta’s craft brewing industry (Brewers say new grant will help them

Dear Editor,

As an Alberta MLA I was disappointed, but not surprised, to see the Highwood Wildrose MLA attack our government’s plan to support jobs and economic diversification in Alberta’s craft brewing industry (Brewers say new grant will help them get off the ground, August 3). The Wildrose and PC oppositions are choosing not to support Alberta brewers and are instead going to bat for breweries in other provinces. Alberta’s NDP government is proud of our local brewing industry and will make no apologies for supporting Alberta jobs and businesses. Beer jobs are good jobs and our government has ensured an excellent climate for growth in the industry. That is our focus, creating good jobs in Alberta – not in other provinces as the Wildrose and PCs would prefer. Here’s what the grant will do: give Alberta’s small brewers the flexibility to invest in their business, enable them to increase production, launch new products, develop new markets, and make important capital improvements.

Our government showed its support for Alberta’s beer industry by announcing a grant program that will support breweries to grow. Over the last three years the number of breweries in Alberta have grown from eight to 40 and a province of our size can support many more.

However, previous governments chose not to support this budding industry. These breweries are creating local jobs, using local agricultural product and creating amazing final products.

Out of this grant program, Alberta consumers will experience even more selection of great Alberta brews and the best selection in the country of other beers from around the world. This policy is a true win-win-win. It is great for brewers, great for workers, and great for Alberta’s beer drinkers. It is time for Wildrose to put cheap politics aside and stand with us to support jobs and economic diversification.

Graham Sucha

MLA, Calgary-Shaw




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