Copy of the Minister’s Keynote address made at the Annual Dinner & Auction
“This room is full of people who don’t just talk about conservation. You invest in it. You live it.
Let me start by saying three things.
First, I’m a proud Albertan. I’ve spent a large part of my life outdoors. Hunting, fishing, working the land. And like many of you, I care deeply about leaving this province better than we found it — for our kids and grandkids.
Second, I believe conservation works best when it’s practical, local, and rooted in respect for landowners.
Not top‑down. Not one‑size‑fits‑all. But built by people who actually know the land.
And third, before I was a minister — before I was even an MLA — I was a businessman. I owned and operated a construction company for over 20 years. I understand what it means to balance stewardship with making a living.
Those three things shape how I approach this job. I believe conservation and economic activity can go hand in hand. In fact, some of the best outcomes we’ve ever achieved came from partnerships — between landowners, industry, community groups and government.
And Pheasants Forever is a perfect example of that. Your Annual Dinner and Auction is not just a social event. It’s funding important conservation programs in southern Alberta. And it’s making a real difference on the ground, where it matters. Programs like Save the Edges show exactly what common‑sense conservation looks like.
Roadside ditches and rights of way might not sound glamorous. But they provide critical habitat for upland birds, pollinators and wildlife — without taking productive land out of use. That’s the kind of solution Albertans understand. And support. It’s also why our ministry was proud to partner with you on that work.
Now, when people hear “Environment Ministry,” they often think rules, permits and delays. And I’ll be honest — that reputation didn’t come out of nowhere. When I was leading Alberta’s Red Tape Reduction strategy, we asked businesses and landowners a simple question: what rules don’t make sense? Over and over, we heard the same thing — approvals that took too long, processes that were confusing and requirements that added cost without adding value. That’s something I’m determined to change.
Because strong environmental standards matter. Protecting land, water and wildlife matters.
But slowing things down for no good reason doesn’t help the environment — and it doesn’t help Albertans like you. Over the past year, we’ve made real progress. We’ve cut Water Act licence wait times in half. What used to take months now takes weeks.
We’ve modernized processes, moved applications online and set clear service targets so people know what to expect. And for the first time in 25 years, we updated the Water Act to make it faster, clearer and more effective. We’re reducing duplication, improving land‑use planning and making it easier to invest in conservation‑focused projects.
This isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about making the system work. Landowners are stewards. They take pride in their land. And when we recognize that — when we respect their role and treat them fairly — conservation succeeds.
That’s exactly the direction I want to see more of. We will always protect Alberta’s environment. That is non‑negotiable. But we will also work with people who are getting results. People who understand the land. People who know that conservation doesn’t have to mean conflict.
Because Alberta’s conservation story has always been built on collaboration — not confrontation. And thanks to the work of groups like Pheasants Forever, I’m confident that story will continue.
Thank you for the work you do. Thank you for your leadership. And thank you for having me here tonight.”
– Honourable Grant Hunter
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas