The Alberta Reindeer Association (ARA) was formed in October 1999 under the Alberta Societies Act. ARA currently has numerous members raising hundreds of reindeer in Alberta.

The mission of the Alberta Reindeer Association is as follows:

• The ARA is dedicated to promotion, awareness building and research of the reindeer industry in Alberta and across Canada.
• We provide support services to current and future producers including information on regulatory requirements, feeding, calving, handling, diseases, marketing and market development.
• We represent reindeer producers in Alberta to national cervid organizations and lobby governments for legislations, policies and assistance to support and enhance the reindeer industry.

Reindeer were first approved for importation into Alberta in the early 1970’s. The first animals came from around Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories of Canada.

Reindeer are currently allowed into Alberta under a temporary Shelter Permit from Alberta Environmental Protection with the stipulation that all provisions of the Livestock Industry Diversification Act (LIDA) and Regulations are followed. ARA is lobbying the Government of Alberta to add reindeer to the allowable species of LIDA.