Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation Doug Schweitzer (Supplied by United Conservative Party)

By Justin Goulet

Schweitzer remains optimistic for Alberta’s economic future

Sep 13, 2020 | 8:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Unemployment numbers released earlier this month showed improvement in Alberta.

The jobless rate for the province during the month of August was 11.8 percent. That was a drop from the 12.8 percent rate in July.

READ MORE: Unemployment rate at 8.6 percent in August for Lethbridge-Medicine Hat region

Alberta’s new Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation says the improved rate is a welcome sign, but it’s important residents don’t lose their sense of urgency in the COVID-19 economic recovery process.

“Small businesses are driving change at their small business level. They’re driving change with their staff, they’re driving change to make sure that they can survive. They’re hustling every single day to make sure they have a future for themselves and their employees,” Doug Schweitzer told LNN.

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“We as a government need to move with the exact same urgency. Our team is literally working around the clock right now to finalize our recovery plan implementation.”

He said Albertans can expect “more and more announcements” in the coming weeks to help various business sectors, from agriculture to technology to energy.

“[We’re] making sure we position Alberta for the economy of the future and making sure we have a long, successful path forward coming out of this pandemic,” Schweitzer commented.

He’s giving credit to Albertans, commending the strength of all in helping reopen the economy amid the current health crisis. However, he maintained there is still a long way to go on the path to recovery.

“It really is a credit to all Albertans, the fact that we have the ability to open up our society and get small businesses back up and running. We do have a long way to go to make sure that this recovery is successful for all Albertans.”

“That’s why we’re implementing our recovery plan. It’s so critical; making sure our small businesses have the support that they need to get open safely and making sure that we continue, all of us, [to be] diligent in our own, kind of personal health practices to make sure we can limit the spread of COVID so our businesses can stay open and people can continue to work.”

FEEDBACK FROM SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

LNN asked Schweitzer if he’s heard stories and feedback from small business owners.

“Every single day we hear stories from small business owners that are struggling during this pandemic.”

“We’re making sure we continue to provide them with the grant support we’ve put out there, we had an immense amount of people that use that grant to help them get going again and get their business up and running again…that program was a success. We were able to turn those applications around in 10 days…we’re doing everything we can to support those small businesses.”

Schweitzer said the goal of the government is to position Alberta as the strongest economic sector in Canada and as the main economic driver in the country coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.