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, 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 $21.7B of future investments are entirely within the Alberta government's control. However, $5.9B of these projects will not be built in Alberta without an extension to the Alberta Petrochemical Incentive Program (APIP).

In a competitive global environment, APIP has put Alberta on the map and secured recent major investments. Without APIP, Alberta’s structural capital cost disadvantage would re-emerge and cause projects to be built in other jurisdictions.

Facility under construction

Extending APIP

APIP has been a tremendous success for attracting investment to Alberta and resolved Alberta’s structural capital cost disadvantage. While other major jurisdictions also offer combinations of incentive programs, low-cost feedstock, skilled workforces, or easy market access, the certainty provided by APIP serves as a key geographical differentiator for companies making final investment decisions. An extension of the program until 2035 would unlock an additional $11.4B in additional capital investment and operational spending from 2026 to 2035.

Worker walking by pipeline

Decarbonization

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


Two workers conversing

Workforce Development

Should the $21.7B of our member's projects be built, Alberta needs skilled labour available for the 42,556 direct jobs created during the construction phase and the 34,426 direct jobs created in the operational phase between 2026 and 2035. While industry, post-secondary, and labour groups have a role to play in developing our workforce, we need the government to take additional actions to enhance overall labour availability and training.

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.