Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. (Supplied by Canadian Press)

By David Opinko

Premier Kenney touring U.S., pushing Alberta as “reliable” and “stable” place to invest

Sep 18, 2019 | 11:31 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Jason Kenney is in the United States this week, trying to make the case that wealthy investors and large corporations should be looking to the prairie province.

He began his trip in New York on Monday to talk to business media giant The Wall Street Journal and think tank Manhattan Institute.

Then on Tuesday, the Premier spoke with a variety of investment firms involved in oil and gas.

Kenney mentioned tax cuts introduced by his United Conservative administration like the Job Creation Tax Cut and the Open for Business Act.

“That is an attraction, a kind of inducement for new investments that have been very well received in the meetings I’m having here, as is the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan, the Royalty Guarantee Act which provides predictability and certainty in our royalty regime structure.”

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He is pushing Alberta as a more affordable place to invest and do business due to lower energy prices, and because of the economic downturn, lower home and office prices in places like Calgary and Edmonton.

As well, the UCP leader told investors that Canada is one of the most ethical countries in the world for natural resources when it comes to social responsibility, human rights, and labour rights.

On Saturday, 25 drones and missiles were used in Saudi Arabia to reportedly shut down half of the country’s oil production. Because of this, Kenney took the opportunity to push Alberta as the safest and most reliable place to get oil.

“Unfortunately, in recent years, markets have imposed a risk premium on Alberta energy stocks because of the challenges around pipelines, but now, I think, the investors I’m speaking with now remember what real risk and instability looks like, and that’s coming out of the Persian Gulf and the OPEC countries.”

All in all, Kenney says the people he has been speaking to are getting very positive perceptions about Alberta.

“A constant theme here is that Alberta is a value economy for investors. Because of the economic challenges of the past few years, I’m finding investors understand that, both in energy stocks, in real estate, and in other investments, they can find great values to invest in Alberta.”

Later on Wednesday, Kenney will continue to meet with investment firms in New York.

He will then wrap up his south-of-the-border tour on Thursday in Ohio, meeting with Governor Mike DeWine and several energy companies. He will also attend a conference on international trade in North America.