| | Preface | Minister's Accountability Statement | Message from the Minister | Management's responsibility for reporting | Overview | Results analysis | Financial statements
Preface
Public Accounts 2007 - 2008
The Public Accounts of Alberta are prepared in accordance with the Financial Administration Act and the Government Accountability Act. The Public Accounts consist of the annual report of the Government of Alberta and the annual reports of each of the 20 Ministries.
On March 12, 2008, the government announced new ministry structures. Since the 2007-2008 fiscal year was substantially completed prior to this announcement, ministry annual reports and financial statements have been prepared as if the restructuring took place on April 1, 2008, to provide proper accountability for the 2007-2008 fiscal year against the original business plan.
The annual report of the Government of Alberta released June 24, 2008 contains Ministers' accountability statements, the consolidated financial statements of the Province and the Measuring Up report, which compares actual performance results to desired results set out in the government's business plan.
This annual report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food contains the Minister's accountability statement, the audited consolidated financial statements of the Ministry and a comparison of actual performance results to desired results set out in the Ministry business plan. This Ministry annual report also includes:
- the financial statements of entities making up the Ministry including the Department of Agriculture and Food, regulated funds, provincial agencies for which the Minister is responsible,
- other financial information as required by the Financial Administration Act and Government Accountability Act, either as separate reports or as a part of the financial statements, to the extent that the Ministry has anything to report, and
- financial information relating to trust funds.
Minister’s Accountability Statement
The Ministry’s annual report for the year ended March 31, 2008, was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Government Accountability Act and the government’s accounting policies. All of the government’s policy decisions as at August 28, 2008 with material economic or fiscal implications of which I am aware have been considered in the preparation of this report.
[Original signed by]
George Groeneveld
Minister of Agriculture and Food
August 28, 2008
Message from the Minister
For the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD), it has been a year of moving forward, even as we experienced new challenges. Like all sectors of our provincial economy, agriculture was faced with a rising Canadian dollar, and high fuel, as well as escalating feed and fertilizer costs. We recognize it has been a particularly challenging year for our entire livestock sector and the province will continue to work diligently with producers and industry to find ways to turn these challenges into opportunities.
Pork producers were among those who faced an extremely difficult year. To help ease economic constraints caused by increased costs and a drop in livestock prices, the province, along with the federal government, enacted the Targeted Advancement Payment (TAP) program. TAP made hog producers eligible for immediate payments through the Canada-Alberta AgriStability program, allowing the province to provide timely funding to producers.
Alberta producers also received $175.6 million in transitional assistance through the Alberta Farm Recovery Program (AFRP). The AFRP provided producers, especially livestock producers, with some short-term assistance to help them deal with economic challenges.
In November, Alberta’s cattle industry celebrated a success. After almost five years of restrictions, the U.S. lifted the final border barrier on the import of older cattle, bison and their meat products. This event placed an increased importance on traceability initiatives, and we continue to work closely with industry and our producers to promote these initiatives. We also continued to support our cattle industry by introducing the Animal Health Act. This act increases Alberta’s capacity to manage disease outbreaks, minimize disease risk and respond to emerging animal health issues.
A number of new initiatives focused on challenging the status quo, being innovative and taking products to the next level. We officially opened the Agrivalue Processing Incubator in Leduc, the first facility of its kind in Canada. This facility will provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to gain new business skills, technical expertise and physical space to process food, aiding the already great work being done by Alberta farmers and processors. It will help to grow our $9.6 billion value-added sector.
The Alberta Institute for Agriculture, Forestry and the Environment also became a reality this past year. The institute is dedicated to identifying green products and practices to make each industry more innovative, competitive and profitable. We also allocated $450,000 to the Competitiveness Initiative Steering Group, a new committee dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of Alberta’s agriculture and food industry. The Ministry expended just over $100,000 of allocated funds in 2007-2008.
In support of our grain industry, we continued efforts to help secure marketing choice for the province’s barley producers by applying for intervener status in a federal court appeal related to the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly.
Promoting Alberta internationally, we met with representatives from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong to strengthen relationships and advocate for increased agricultural trade opportunities and collaboration on advancing animal genetics and agricultural technologies.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food had an exciting year, filled with achievement, change and challenges. We expect this year will also present more of the same as we continue to serve our many clients and stakeholders in Alberta’s diverse agricultural sector. As always, our dedicated staff worked hard to ensure the success of our initiatives. I would like to thank our staff, our partners and our stakeholders for their ongoing efforts and continued commitment to Alberta’s agriculture industry and the development of our rural communities.
Sincerely,
[Original signed by]
George Groeneveld
Minister, Agriculture and Food
Management's Responsibility for Reporting
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food includes:
- Department of Agriculture and Food
- Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
- Alberta Grain Commission
- The Office of the Farmers' Advocate
- Irrigation Council
- Agricultural Products Marketing Council
The executives of the individual entities within the Ministry have the primary responsibility and accountability for the respective entities. Collectively, the executives ensure the Ministry complies with all relevant legislation, regulations and policies.
Ministry business plans, annual reports, performance results and the supporting management information are integral to the government's fiscal and business plans, annual report, quarterly reports and other financial and performance reporting.
Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the consolidated financial statements and performance results for the Ministry rests with the Minister of Agriculture and Food. Under the direction of the Minister, I oversee the preparation of the Ministry's annual report, including consolidated financial statements and performance results. The consolidated financial statements and the performance results, of necessity, include amounts that are based on estimates and judgments. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the government's stated accounting policies.
As Deputy Minister, in addition to program responsibilities, I establish and maintain the Ministry's financial administration and reporting functions. The Ministry maintains systems of financial management and internal control that give consideration to costs, benefits and risks that are designed to:
- provide reasonable assurance that transactions are properly authorized, executed in accordance
- with prescribed legislation and regulations, and properly recorded so as to maintain accountability of public money,
- provide information to manage and report on performance,
- safeguard the assets and properties of the Province under Ministry administration,
- provide Executive Council, Treasury Board, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Agriculture and Food any information needed to fulfill their responsibilities, and
- facilitate preparation of Ministry business plans and annual reports required under the Government Accountability Act.
In fulfilling my responsibilities for the Ministry, I have relied, as necessary, on the executive of the individual entities within the Ministry.
[Original signed by]
John Knapp
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Overview
Charts of Ministry Entities
April 1, 2007
April 1, 2008
Entities - Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Department
The Ministry is comprised of the Department of Agriculture and Food and a number of agencies, boards and commissions. The Department is responsible for the development of policy options and management of programs designed to facilitate the evolution of all components of the agriculture and food industry, to sustain the natural resource base of the industry and to encourage the development of rural communities.
During the 2007-2008 fiscal year, the Ministry re-organized its internal structure to better serve clients. The organizational charts provided on the previous pages show the Ministry structure at the beginning of both the 2007 and 2008 fiscal years. The following descriptions summarize the responsibilities of entities and divisions at the beginning of the 2008 fiscal year. For more information, visit the Ministry web site at agriculture.alberta.ca
Human Resource Services Division
#307, J. G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 . 113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-427-2111
Human Resource Services is responsible for providing advice and consultation to senior management, line managers and employees on all matters relating to human resource management. This work includes compensation and benefits administration, job classification, attraction and recruitment, succession planning, implementing a comprehensive occupational health and safety program and employee relations. Human Resource Services also contributes to the Ministry's employee retention and talent management objectives by developing and implementing organizational development initiatives and programs. These include leadership training and development for staff at all levels, workplace health and wellness programs, analysis and responses to the annual Corporate Employee Survey, employee performance management processes and consultation and employee recognition programs.
Agriculture Information Division
#100A, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 - 113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-427-2727
Agriculture Information Division is responsible for the planning, development, organization, evaluation and delivery of information programs including print and electronic publishing, multi-media and the Call of the Land radio program. The division is responsible for the administration of correspondence through the action request tracking system. Legislative Services, a branch of the division, ensures a supported, planned and coordinated approach is followed for the Ministry's legislative activities. The division is responsible for administering the department's records management program. As well, the division responds to Alberta Connects queries, updates employee directories and administers several initiatives including the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Awards, Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame Awards, Wheat Board Monies Trust and Claude Gallinger Memorial Fund scholarships.
Communications Branch
#100A, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 -113 Street Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-7099
Communications Branch provides strategic communications planning and consulting support to the Minister, Deputy Minister and Department. The branch develops and implements public communications programs that support the Department and government-wide business plan goals, and manages media relations, including the province-wide distribution of news releases and coordination of Department announcements and news conferences.
Environment and Food Safety Sector
Agriculture Stewardship Division:
#306, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 . 113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-415-1771
The Agriculture Stewardship Division (ASD) is committed to assisting Alberta's agriculture and food industry in taking advantage of marketplace opportunities related to humane and environmentally sound agricultural and food production. ASD develops and delivers risk management and performance verification tools, technologies, protocols, standards and regulatory services, resulting in specific, demonstrable improvements in the industry's performance on environmental stewardship and humane livestock care.
Food Safety Division
9th Fl, O.S. Longman Building 6909 - 116 Street Edmonton, Alberta T6H 4P2 780-427-6159
Food Safety Division is responsible for policy and programs that deal with animal health issues with public health or market access implications. FSD also operates advanced, International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-certified chemical and biological testing laboratories that analyze chemical residues in food and agriculture products as well as conducting testing for pathogenic organisms of food safety, animal health, and zoonotic disease ignificance. This division also develops information for producers and processors on food safety and animal health issues affecting market access. Food Safety Division coordinates Alberta's role in ensuring safe food systems are developed and maintained by industry.
Irrigation Secretariat
#328, Provincial Building, 200 . 5 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4L1 403-381-5176
Irrigation Secretariat provides administrative support to the Irrigation Council, administers the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program and works with irrigation districts to ensure compliance with the Irrigation Districts Act.
Regulatory Services Division
2nd Floor, Agronomy Centre, 6903 . 116 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5Z2 780-422-7197
Regulatory Services Division is responsible for validating the safe production of meat and meat products through provincially-licensed meat facilities, as well as ensuring compliance to assigned legislation. The division is responsible for the administration of 14 statutes and 30 regulations, as well as maintaining and enhancing public confidence by ensuring consistency and coordination through investigation and enforcement activities as required.
Traceability Branch
#300, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 . 113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-427-2799
The traceability branch provides policy advice on matters relating to provincial and national traceability initiatives and issues. The branch works with Alberta's agriculture and agri-food industries to foster acceptance and implementation of traceability systems within their respective sectors.
The branch has focused on undertaking the necessary projects to understand and demonstrate the value of traceability to Alberta's agriculture and agri-food industry, linking the traceability systems to the national and provincial emergency response systems, and partnering to create infrastructure to enhance business and market opportunities, (e.g. reduce costs, increase value-added opportunities, improve logistics/transportation and simplify processes).
Industry Development Sector
Agriculture Industry Development & Diversification
Main Floor, Provincial Building, 4709 . 44th Avenue, Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 1N4 780-968-3512
This division works with industry organizations and businesses looking to diversify or continue development of their individual or collective business opportunities. The division works with individual companies as well as industry groups to provide technical expertise and coaching in areas of marketing, business arrangements, value chains, alignment, taxation, investment strategies and new venture opportunity assessment and development. The division provides support to researchers in linking their research to a business opportunity.
The division manages the Canada-Alberta Collateral and Carryforward Agreement under the Renewal Chapter of the Ag Policy Framework, the Agriculture Opportunity Fund, the Alberta Approved Farmers' Market Program and the Woodlot Extension Program.
Agriculture Research Division
#204, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 -113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-427-5341
As a critical link in numerous value chains, the Agriculture Research Division conducts research to enable Alberta's primary agricultural industry to meet the needs of its customers. The division provides research expertise and knowledge through multi-disciplinary project teams focused on specific industry challenges. The division supports primary agriculture through research that ensures production efficiency and competitiveness as well as through pest management, crop surveillance, administration of legislation and regulations. Research activities provide information and technology that is targeted, innovative, proactive, and enables industry to capitalize on market opportunities.
Bio-Industrial Technologies Division
Agri-Food Discovery Place, Building F-83, 6004 . 118 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 2V8 780-644-8118
The Bio-Industrial Technology Division (BITD) supports Alberta's growing agricultural value-added processing industry with a full spectrum of services targeted towards the bio-industrial industry. Staff partner with companies to develop businesses, markets, products/processes, exchange information and/or apply/transfer technology. BITD also manages Agri-Food Discovery Place, a facility equipped with a product development laboratory and pilot plant where a staff of engineers and technologists conduct research and development projects aimed at solving problems encountered by agricultural value-added processing businesses and the emerging bio-economy.
Business Expansion & Commercialization Division
#304, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 -113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-1851
This division supports the sustainable growth and diversification of Alberta's agri-processing industry by working with existing businesses to help them expand and by attracting new investment to Alberta. Division staff provide technical expertise, market information, business development advice and the identification of expansion or investment opportunities. Companies' business projects are facilitated by providing information and services related to feasibility studies, joint venture/alliance partners, sources of capital, site location assistance and infrastructure development. Critical issues that constrain growth and affect investment decisions, such as access to labour, are identified, and solutions are sought.
Food Processing Development Division
6309 45 Street, Leduc, Alberta T9E 7C5 780-986-4793
The Food Processing Development Division focuses on the value-added processing of agriculture commodities through laboratory development, applied research and pilot plant scale up to develop new products, introduce new technologies and improve existing processes. The division also has a strong focus on the development of new companies, the attraction of new food processors to Alberta and developing collaborative applied research projects with other research partners. Programming is delivered through four units: the Food Processing Development Centre, the Food Science and Technology Centre, the Consumer Products Testing Centre and the Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator.
Growth Strategy Secretariat
#304, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 -113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-1851
This corporate support function manages the sector strategic priorities and their implementation. The area coordinates the development and implementation of Alberta Agriculture's Strategy for Sustainable Growth, ensures alignment of operational plans with strategic direction and tracks the implementation of the Growth Strategy's initiatives, which support the achievement of the business plan. The Growth Strategy Secretariat also implements effective business processes, including project and portfolio management systems, and provides process consultation, facilitation expertise and strategic planning expertise to Ministry staff and industry on key initiatives.
Organizational Effectiveness and Rural Services Sector
Business Planning and Performance Reporting
#201, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-0265
Provides strategic corporate services focused on business planning, operational planning, performance measurement and performance reporting including the development of quarterly reports and the Ministry's annual report. The unit is responsible for the development of and reporting requirements for the Deputy Minister's Performance Contract and for contributing to Government of Alberta-level business plans and reporting documents.
Facilities Management
#307, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-6127
Facilities Management ensures the Ministry's facilities enable optimum staff productivity through the provision of appropriate accommodations, telecommunications, furniture and facility supports.
Financial Services
#307 J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-5629
Financial Services provides strategic leadership in the areas of financial planning and analysis, accounting and reporting as well as financial accountability.
Information Technology Services
#202, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-2101
Information Technology Services Division works in partnership with the program areas to optimize program delivery, contribute to business innovation and increase efficiencies through enabling modern technologies. This work includes offering expertise and advice on the use and development of technology solutions. In addition, the division provides the secure, robust and reliable technology infrastructure necessary to support the Ministry's requirements for electronic service delivery.
Partnership Management and Information Access Division
Bag 600, 4705-49 Avenue, Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0 310-FARM (3276)
The Partnership Management and Information Access Division provides the public access to information, decision-making tools, services and programs, Ministry personnel and industry partners. Information can be accessed through the Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM (3276), administrative staff in regional offices and the Ropin' the Web internet site at www.agriculture.alberta.ca
Rural Community and Leadership Development
#200, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-4596
The Rural Community and Leadership Development Division develops and manages communitybased programs that foster rural development by supporting rural organizations such as agricultural service boards, agricultural societies and 4-H clubs and councils. The division is also responsible for developing and delivering education, leadership and training programs that raise agricultural awareness and promote farm safety in partnership with community and agricultural organizations.
Rural Coordination and Strategic Initiatives
#106, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-427-2409
The Rural Coordination and Strategic Initiatives Division supports the implementation of Alberta's Rural Development Strategy by advancing rural policy, leading cross-government collaboration on rural issues and working closely with Rural Alberta's Development Fund regarding communityfocused projects. In addition, the Division provides leadership to strategic rural development initiatives and conducts research in partnership with rural organizations and stakeholders.
Rural Utilities Division
#200, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-427-1930
The Rural Utilities Division administers the Rural Gas, Rural Electric and Remote Area Heating Allowance (RAHA) programs. The Rural Gas and Rural Electric programs are cost-shared and help defray the high cost of constructing natural gas and electrical systems in rural areas. The RAHA program provides rebates on the cost of propane or fuel oil for individuals who are unable to obtain natural gas service at a reasonable cost.
Additionally, the division also administers the Rural Utilities Act, which provides the framework for the establishment and management of business affairs for approximately 280 rural gas, electric and water associations in the province. The division also administers the Gas Distribution Act, which governs the establishment of franchise areas and standards setting relating to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, quality assurance and plant record keeping for rural gas utilities.
Planning and Competitiveness Sector
Economics and Competitiveness Division
#303, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-3771
The Economics and Competitiveness Division is a source of economic, competitiveness, market and statistical research dealing with strategic issues affecting Alberta's agriculture and agri-food industry. This research includes applied economic and competitiveness analysis, benchmarking, statistical information, analysis of international markets, consumer behavior and emerging industry trends. The division adds value to information relating to the value-chain from production to consumption. In partnership with other divisions, the division is responsible for playing an advocacy role for Alberta's agriculture and agri-food industry as well as leading and coordinating international relations efforts at key forums, conferences and discussions with priority international partners.
Policy Secretariat
#300, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-2070
The Policy Secretariat provides advice and recommendations and undertakes corporate projects to improve the policy and planning decisions of the Ministry. The Secretariat analyses domestic and international agricultural and macro economic policies, assesses the potential effect on Alberta's agriculture and food sector and makes recommendations on how the Ministry should respond to these challenges. The Secretariat plays a strong advocacy role for Alberta's agricultural interests and is currently focused on issues in trade policy, science and innovation, environment, land use planning, farm income, grain marketing and risk mitigation strategies.
Strategic Direction and Program Policy Division
#200, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-422-9167
Strategic Direction and Program Policy is responsible for providing strategic corporate services to the Ministry. These services include developing and implementing effective processes for strategic planning including the monitoring of key trends and issues facing the Ministry.
Division staff are also responsible for program policy development, program evaluation and negotiating and managing federal funding requirements under the Agricultural Policy Framework, as well as managing Alberta's obligations under specific federal/provincial bilateral companion agreements. Further, the division is responsible for coordinating and integrating Alberta's input into the development of Growing Forward: Toward a new Agriculture Policy Framework.
The division delivers the Canada-Alberta Farm Water Program and the Alberta Farm Fuel Benefit Program and is responsible for the policy development of the agriculture component of disaster recovery programs for Alberta Municipal Affairs. The division is responsible for the compliance portion of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program.
Agencies, Boards and Commissions
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC)
Lacombe Central Office, 5718 . 56 Avenue, Lacombe, Alberta T4L 1B1 403-782-8200
AFSC provides a wide variety of risk management products and financial services for farmers and commercial businesses in Alberta. It offers unique financial products and services that are not always readily available from conventional sources.
AFSC delivers the AgriStability program, a whole-farm program that provides compensation for declines in farm margins, relative to the historical margin for eligible producers, regardless of the commodities they produce. AFSC provides AgriInsurance products to mitigate risks related to annual and perennial crop production, including options for insuring price risk for fluctuations of commodity prices between spring seeding and fall harvesting; and also offers waterfowl and wildlife damage compensation to help Alberta farmers protect against production losses on their farms, as well as separate hail insurance for protection against crop losses from hail and fire.
AFSC offers lending products and financial services for primary producers, agribusinesses and commercial enterprises. These include loans and guarantees for new or existing farm businesses and financing for those affected by a disaster or reductions in farm production or income.
AFSC produces a separate annual report. Copies are available electronically through the AFSC website (www.AFSC.ca).
Agricultural Products Marketing Council
#305, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 -113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-427-2164
Agricultural Products Marketing Council advises the Minister on matters related to the establishment, operation and management of the boards and commissions established under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act. The Council provides assistance and advice to boards and commissions on board governance, leadership development, strategic and business planning. The council facilitates industry-oriented development through enabling legislation and encourages engagement in research and value-added opportunities and enhanced value chain relationships.
Alberta Grain Commission
#305, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 -113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-427-7329
Alberta Grain Commission advises the Minister on issues and trends in the grain industry, conducts ongoing examination of all facets of the industry and provides an information service, which includes daily grain price information.
Farmers' Advocate Office
#305. J.G. O'Donoghue Building, 7000 -113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 780-310-FARM (3276)
The Farmers' Advocate Office (FAO) reports directly to the Minister on issues concerning rural landowners.
The FAO works closely with agricultural interest groups, Alberta Environment, Alberta Energy, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) and other levels of government to provide advice and assistance with understanding energy development interaction on the land including developing negotiation strategies related to surface leases. The FAO liaises with surface rights groups, synergy groups, the Freehold Owners Association and individual landowners and provides dispute resolution services, advice and information.
The FAO manages the contract for the AFSC/SRD Hail and Crop and Grazing Disposition Agricultural Development Committee reviews. The FAO is also responsible for administering the Farm Implement Act, Farm Implement Dealerships Act, Water Well Restoration or Replacement Program, Wild Fire Cost Assessment Review and Part 1 of the Agricultural Operation Practices Act.
A separate annual report is produced for the FAO including the audited financial statements for the Farm Implement Compensation Fund. Copies of the report can be accessed through the FAO website (www.farmersadvocate.gov.ab.ca).
Irrigation Council
#328, Provincial Building, 200 . 5 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4L1 403-381-5176
Irrigation Council, established under the Irrigation Districts Act, makes recommendations to the Minister on any matter under the Act, particularly issues related to maintaining a strong, efficient and sustainable irrigation industry. The Council acts as an appeal body in accordance with the Act and establishes policies and approves annual rolling three-year plans and projects submitted by the irrigation districts to ensure accountability of the public's ongoing cost-shared investment in irrigation district water conveyance infrastructure.
Operational Overview
Ministry's Core Businesses
The Ministry contributes to two of the government's ten goals and to three of the five government priorities. The Ministry works with industry and stakeholders to manage growth pressures, build a stronger Alberta, and improve Albertans' quality of life. The primary focus of Agriculture and Food is on Government of Alberta goal 1: Alberta will have a prosperous economy. The Ministry achieves this by working with others to promote prosperity for Alberta through a strong, competitive, sustainable agriculture and food industry.
Ministry Core Businesses
- Facilitate sustainable industry growth
- Support and strengthen sustainability
- Strengthen Business Risk Management
Each of the Ministry goals contributes to the achievement of these core businesses. The results constitute the role of Alberta Agriculture and Food in contributing to the Government of Alberta's core performance measures. The Results Analysis section of this annual report presents a comprehensive discussion of the Ministry goals, performance measures and results of operations for the fiscal year 2007-2008.
Costs for Core Business
(unaudited)
(thousands of dollars) |
| Core Businesses | 2007-08
Estimates | 2007-08
Actual | 2006-07
Actual |
| Facilitate sustainable industry growth | $ 251,287 | $ 232,164 | $ 232,261 |
| Enhance rural sustainability | 70,697 | 65,707 | 55,620 |
| Strengthen business risk management | 754,740 | 580,541 | 828,171 |
| Ministry Expense | $1,076,724 | $ 878,412 | $ 1,116,052 |
Expense by Function
All Ministry expenses with the exception of debt servicing costs, are reported under the Government of Alberta function: Agriculture, Resource Management and Economic Development.
Overall Ministry Operations and Services
(unaudited)
(thousands of dollars) |
 | 2007-08
Budget | 2007-08
Actual | 2006-07
Actual |
| Revenues | $ 658,899 | $ 469,675 | $ 531,428 |
| Expenses | 1,076,724 | 878,412 | 1,116,052 |
| Gain (Loss) on disposal of assets | - | (195) | 269 |
| Excess of expenses over revenues | $ 417,825 | $ 408,932 | $ 584,355 |
Results Analysis (526 Kb)
Financial Statements
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