Our Priorities

We are dedicated to realizing the full potential of Alberta’s abundant natural resources by expanding and diversifying Alberta’s resource manufacturing industries.

Through our unique partnership of industry, post-secondary, and labour leaders, we work with the government to develop policies that attract investment and diversify our economy.

With the right policy environment that addresses decarbonization and workforce development, Alberta is well-positioned to be North America’s backbone for energy security and supply chain resiliency for hydrogen, liquid natural gas (LNG), carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), plastics, and more.

Our Challenges

Alberta is competing with a global market to attract investment for petrochemical projects.

According to the Chemical Industry Association of Canada, more than $200 billion was invested in North American petrochemical projects from 2014 to 2019, but Canada’s share was less than 5%. Recent investment friendly policies in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act will further hinder Alberta’s ability to attract investment into the value-added sector and Alberta’s ability to diversify our economy.

The over $22B of future investments are entirely within the Alberta government's control.

Alberta has a natural competitive advantage through its access to low-cost feedstock and carbon sequestration geology, as well as the jurisdiction to move petrochemical projects forward as they do not require federal approval and are not on the C-69 project list.

However, new projects will not be built in Alberta without an emphasis on decarbonization and adequate workforce development. Solutions to these policy challenges are possible through the collaboration of government, and industry, post-secondary, and labour. Incremental improvements to the Alberta Petrochemical Incentive Program (APIP) will also increase Alberta's ability to continue to attract capital.

With the right policy environment that addresses decarbonization and workforce development, Alberta is well-positioned to be North America’s backbone for energy security and supply chain resiliency for hydrogen, liquid natural gas (LNG), carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), plastics, and more.

Worker walking by pipeline

Decarbonization

New petrochemical projects will not be built without an emphasis on the energy transition. Our members support the creation of the Alberta Carbon Capture Incentive Program (ACCIP).

In a highly competitive global market, the creation of ACCIP would help ensure Alberta is the number one jurisdiction for our members to invest in.

Two workers conversing

Workforce Development

Should the over $22B of our projects be built, Alberta needs skilled labour available for the 20,250 of construction and 658 of operational employment opportunities. While industry, post-secondary, and labour groups have an important role to play in developing our workforce, the Alberta government needs to take additional actions to enhance overall labour availability and training.

Policies should focus not just on attracting skilled labour today, but providing long-term labour market sustainability through increased post-secondary and primary educational opportunities for the workforce of the future.

While the value-added industry offers an opportunity for Alberta to diversify its economy, it also provides us with the opportunity to diversify our workforce through attracting non-traditional demographics to the energy sector.

Woman working on pipes

Designated Industrial Zones

The RDC is supportive of the Industrial Heartland Designated Industrial Zone (DIZ)'s intent to "establish a best-in-class regulatory framework that will help attract new investment and create good jobs for Albertans while realizing environmental outcomes", and is working with the Alberta government to ensure a smooth implementation.

Facility under construction

Incrementally Improving APIP

The Alberta Petrochemicals Incentive Program (APIP) has been a tremendous success for attracting investment to Alberta. We believe that incremental improvements, such as re-evaluating the operational threshold to qualify for the grant, expanding equipment eligibility, and allowing for brownfield expansions will continue to ensure that Alberta remains a leader.