Industry Committee on Oct. 20th, 2022

[Dr. Melanie Wowk]

As far as funding for packing houses in the province goes, it depends on whether they're federally or provincially inspected. Most of the ones in the province are provincially inspected. They fall under provincial jurisdiction. I think that's where the issue comes in. It would be nice to have more federal plants, because that would increase our ability to sell to other provinces, to sell to other parts of the world. Boy, if we could see that, it would answer a lot of prayers for a lot of people, because it is becoming very difficult for us.

The only other thing I'm going to add is that it would be great to build them and it would be great to have them running, but can we find the people to work there? The two big plants are telling us right now that they do not have the worker capacity they need to run full tilt, and I know for sure that for the smaller guys—we have one in our area—it's very difficult to find labour.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

I fully understand your concerns about the labour shortage, Ms. Wowk.

I have one last question, Mr. Chair.

Ms. Wowk, would cattle farmers be able to satisfy the demand those slaughterhouses would create?

If we built more slaughterhouses in “rural rural” areas, as you put it, would cattle and other livestock farmers be able to supply those facilities?

[Dr. Melanie Wowk]

We have had this conversation a lot in Alberta in regard to perking up our rural economy and bringing people back to rural Alberta and bringing small business back. A processing plant definitely is a small business that could bring a lot of people to rural Alberta, and that is definitely one thing that I believe could help us out.

It would help out the beef industry as well, but again, the question becomes what it falls under: Does it fall under provincial jurisdiction? I think most of them would, so the federal funding really isn't a question for us unless we're looking at building another federal plant.

I think Dennis has something to add.

[Dennis Laycraft]

Yes. I was going to add two comments.

The first is on distances. We can, very efficiently, move cattle long distances. We have an exceptionally positive ability to do that and get animals there in excellent condition. Canada is a huge country—the second-largest in the world. That's just part of what we need to do within the great spaces our industry occupies.

We export half of what we produce, so we need both. We need the large plants and that mixture of smaller plants. If we're trying to sell to a large retailer in another country.... If you're not one of the large plants, you can't produce enough beef to take care of their weekly requirements. As with all things, you need a mixture to create the most competitive system possible and deal with some of the regional challenges you referred to.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Thank you, Mr. Lemire.

Go ahead, Ms. Lapointe.

[Viviane LaPointe, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Hello, Mr. Austin. I feel a need to tell you that my father worked in the uranium mines in Elliot Lake. That's where I was born. When I was two, we moved to Sudbury, where he worked in the nickel mines.

Earlier this week, this committee heard from Mr. Gil McGowan, who is the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour. That federation represents 28 affiliated unions and over 170,000 workers across Alberta. In a recent report, Mr. McGowan recommended that the province “skate to where the puck is going”. He said, “This is a once-in-a-century opportunity to establish new industries in Alberta.”

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this approach to economic diversification and development.

[Dr. Melanie Wowk]

It would be. For me, it's about getting the people here and setting up an environment where people can be competitive in what they are doing. We have to be able to bring these people here and say to them, “You're going to be able to make a living doing this. This is going to be profitable for you. When you move into this community, there will be a doctor, a dentist, a hospital and a veterinarian.” We just can't do that yet. Being a veterinarian.... The shortage we have in Alberta right now.... There are almost 400 veterinarians needed in Alberta today, and that's not just for large animals. That's for companion animals, as well.

We've had the discussion with these communities, but the problem is that they want all of these other things, as well. The question becomes, where does the money come from to develop all of these things that people are asking for when they come to rural Alberta?

[Viviane LaPointe, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Thank you.

Go ahead, Mr. Austin.

[Dale Austin]

Economic diversification is important, but, to extend your metaphor a bit, I would say that “skating to where the puck is going” doesn't necessarily mean you need to put what you're doing on the bench. It can mean looking at the industries you currently have in a province, or a country, and examining ways to make them more innovative—looking at ways to reduce their carbon emissions, so they continue to produce in ways that are going to be beneficial in a new economy.

I think there's a combination where.... Yes, economic diversification is important, but we should not limit Canada's economic future simply to new industries. We have a long, successful history in many industries here, which, through innovative techniques and new technology, could continue to deliver economic benefits for many decades to come.

[Viviane LaPointe, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Thank you.

I don't think there are any more questions.

Thank you to my fellow members.

My deepest thanks to the witnesses for being so flexible today and for sharing their recommendations. We certainly appreciate it.

I'd also like to thank the interpreters, the analysts, the clerk and all the support staff.

Have a great rest of the day.

The meeting is adjourned.