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Report from the Legislature - Northern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Alberta empowers more students to succeed

Alberta is giving teachers more tools to help students succeed by introducing new, more student-friendly assessments that will replace the existing Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs).

The series of new computer-based tests - known as Student Learning Assessments - will be developed by experts and administered at the start of Grades 3, 6 and 9. This will better enable parents and teachers to be aware of a child's strengths or areas needing improvement over the course of the school year to support more personalized learning.

The tests maintain a strong focus on literacy and numeracy, but will also help educators and parents understand how well students demonstrate competencies such as creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.

While most students are comfortable taking such tests on a computer, traditional paper copies will also be available.

Grade 3 students will be first to write the new assessments, with pilots starting in September 2014. Full implementation for Grade 3 is expected by September 2015. Pilots for Grades 6 and 9 are scheduled to begin in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Alberta Education will continue to work with the Alberta Teachers' Association, Alberta School Boards' Association, College of Alberta School Superintendents, Alberta School Councils' Association and the Alberta Assessment Consortium to develop and test the Student Learning Assessment process.

Successful Market Access Tour held over

The Alberta government's Market Access Tour is being extended to help even more businesses export their products.

Led by Cal Dallas, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations, the government's five-day Market Access Tour of 10 Alberta communities wrapped up May 2. As the buzz spread about the event through word of mouth, the media, Twitter and other social media, interest grew.

As a result, Dallas and his outreach team will visit more communities this fall.

During the April 15 - May 2 tour, to locations as far apart as Medicine Hat and La Crete, Dallas heard success stories that have helped make Alberta an economic dynamo, including:
andbull; a Medicine Hat wedding products company that went from marketing one decorative ball to more than 3,000 products worldwide;
andbull; a Grande Prairie firm that exports specialized brush cutters to the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and Africa; and,
andbull; a La Crete company that exports 33,000 tonnes of wood-fuel pellets a year to the U.S. and Europe.

During the outreach tour, businesses, local chambers and economic development bodies had a chance to hear about Alberta's International Strategy and International Office network. They also learned about the services offered by the Alberta government and other partners to assist in selling products and services internationally.

The sessions included an overview by Dallas of the importance of international trade and a presentation on Alberta's economic picture and trade promotion programs and services. Gaining market and competitive information, determining market entry strategies and the role of the Alberta International Offices within a market were all hot topics.

Dates for the fall Market Access Tour will be announced in the coming weeks.

New legislation establishes funding formula for oil sands monitoring

Bill 21, the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Amendment Act, 2013, passed by the Alberta Legislature on May 8, establishes a funding mechanism for Alberta's enhanced oil sands monitoring program.

The funding arrangement will enable Alberta to collect, hold, and disburse funds from the oil sands industry to continue to implement the joint oil sands monitoring program. The funding proposal was developed in collaboration with industry and the federal government. Industry has committed to providing up to $50 million a year for three years to support the joint oil sands monitoring program. Funds will be disbursed to various parties to support environmental monitoring activities approved by the Alberta and federal governments under the joint plan.

Significant steps have already been taken on the joint monitoring program including the addition of new water quality sites on the Athabasca River and on the Muskeg River system, increased hydrocarbon air monitoring through the addition of more sampling sites, and enhanced biodiversity monitoring that includes all oil sands producing areas in the province.

Additionally, Bill 21 removes the requirement for Personal Information Numbers - or PINs - for hazardous waste management to ensure alignment, consistency and full integration of hazardous waste management practices across the province.

Government ensures stability for Alberta students

Alberta is ensuring that families will continue to enjoy stability in the province's classrooms by introducing legislation that will extend the four-year deal negotiated with the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) to all the province's teachers and school boards.

To date, the majority of boards and ATA locals - representing almost half a million Alberta students - have agreed to adopt the deal, which freezes teacher salaries for three years and ensures boards can devote as much funding as possible to Alberta's classrooms.

Today, Education Minister Jeff Johnson signaled his intent to introduce Bill 26, the Assurance for Students Act. If passed, the bill will ensure that the remaining boards and two ATA locals benefit from the negotiated agreement their colleagues from across the province already adopted. After over two and a half years of negotiation, an agreement between the government and the ATA was reached on March 15, 2013. Boards and ATA locals have spent the last two months ratifying this agreement at the local level.

The four-year deal reached by government and the ATA would see compensation for 40,000 Alberta teachers frozen for three years - one of which has already passed since the end of the previous agreement. That will be followed by an increase of two per cent in 2015-16 and a one-time lump sum payment - to be funded by government - in that same year.

A commitment to review teachers' workload is another central element of the agreement. The Framework Agreement requires any school board without an 'hours of instruction' restriction in its collective agreement to take steps to bring the number of hours the board requires a teacher to instruct students closer to a provincially mandated number of 907 hours per school year.

Report from the Legislature - Calgary Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

New legislation to improve organ and tissue donation rates

The Redford government is taking action to improve Alberta's organ and tissue donation rates and lower transplant wait times across the country, in an effort to save and improve more lives.

The government brought forward a motion to adopt Private Member's Bill, the Human Tissue and Organ Donation Amendment Act, 2013 - or Bill 207 - as a government bill.

'Our government is thrilled to adopt this good idea - I know this legislation will give us more tools to increase donation rates and save lives,' said Premier Alison Redford. 'We need to encourage more Albertans to consider becoming an organ donor and I am absolutely convinced that Bill 207 will set the stage for achieving that legacy in our province.'

The Human Tissue and Organ Donation Amendment Act will establish one agency to co-ordinate organ and tissue donation activities in Alberta, including work to increase public awareness. This agency will report to the Minister of Health. The legislation also proposes the creation of an organ and tissue consent-to-donate registry. Albertans who are willing to donate their organs and/or tissue will be able to provide online consent.

'We believe that by making it easier for people to register their intent to donate and by raising awareness of the need, we can dramatically increase organ and tissue donations in our province,' said Fred Horne, Minister of Health. 'I thank Len Webber for his leadership in bringing this legislation forward as a Private Member's Bill. Because it is of such vital importance, we want to adopt it as a government bill.'

'I am proud that this bill is moving forward with the government's support,' said Len Webber, MLA for Calgary-Foothills and sponsor of the original Private Member's Bill. 'This legislation is going to a have a positive impact on organ and tissue donor rates, and ultimately many lives will be saved.'

Alberta lags behind other provinces in donation rates for organs and tissues. The province's deceased organ donation rate was 16-17 donors per million population from 1995 to 2005; by 2011, the rate had dropped to 5-7 donors per million population. This compares to 16.3 donors per million population in Ontario and 11.8 donors per million population in British Columbia in 2011.

According to data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information for 2011, there were 324 Albertans actively waiting for a kidney transplant, 94 Albertans actively waiting for a liver transplant, 57 Albertans actively waiting for either a single or a double lung transplant, and 17 Albertans actively waiting for a heart transplant. Alberta has one of Canada's highest incidences of diabetes, which is a leading cause of kidney failure requiring dialysis.

Alberta empowers more students to succeed

Alberta is giving teachers more tools to help students succeed by introducing new, more student-friendly assessments that will replace the existing Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs).

'Kids learn at their own pace, and we need to make sure parents and teachers are informed about how kids are doing and where they might need help,' said Education Minister Jeff Johnson. 'Moving the provincial assessment to the start of the school year allows more time to identify areas where kids might need some extra attention and get them the support they need to succeed.'

'Assessing children's literacy and numeracy skills at the beginning of the school year is a step in the right direction,' said Brad Vonkeman, president of the Alberta School Councils' Association. 'This shift should encourage a greater focus on each student's individual learning needs and promote better communication between teachers and parents.'

'This is very good news for Alberta students and parents,' said Carol Henderson, president of the Alberta Teachers' Association. 'I congratulate the Premier on fulfilling this important campaign promise. The current testing program provided little value for learning and did not fit with the vision of Inspiring Education. The Alberta Teachers' Association looks forward to working with government to develop this new program that will advance student learning.'

'This change will ensure that each Alberta student will now start Grade 3 with a snapshot of his/her strengths and where they may need to improve,' said Jacquie Hansen, president of the Alberta School Boards Association. 'From there, students, parents and teachers will draw up an individual roadmap to build on each student's strengths and to address each student's challenges. Follow through will be key to make this individualized learning possible.'

While most students are comfortable taking such tests on a computer, traditional paper copies will also be available.

Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta's resources. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.

Kick off summer safely this May long weekend

By respecting the land and obeying the law, Albertans can help make the May long weekend - the traditional kick-off to summer - enjoyable for all.

Officers from the Government of Alberta will be out in force this long weekend, patrolling Alberta's roadways, water bodies, parks, and public land. Together with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, they will also conduct check stops and off-highway vehicle compliance checks and inform the public about safe recreation practices, laws and regulations.

Rules vary by area: know before you go

Know before you go with 511 Alberta Official Road Reports. As you head out on the long weekend, get the latest road conditions and updates on road construction, before you go. Call 5-1-1, visit 511.alberta.ca or follow us on Twitter @511Alberta.

Albertans who are planning to spend the weekend camping at one of the province's provincial parks are encouraged to check out one of our many first-come-first served spots, which are listed at AlbertaParks.ca. Campers can also check which parks have liquor or fire bans in place across the province.

Do your part to prevent wildfires

Whether you plan to visit a provincial park or explore the backcountry, all Albertans should take precautions to prevent wildfires. Last year, approximately 80 per cent of wildfires were caused by people. The risk of wildfires increases with dry conditions. Always check to make sure your campfire is completely extinguished. Soak it, stir the ashes, and soak it again.

Obey traffic laws

As part of getting to their long weekend destination and back safely, drivers need to follow traffic laws. Albertans have a personal responsibility when behind the wheel to keep highways safe. Drivers who choose to disobey traffic laws and put the lives of other road users at risk will be dealt with through fines, prosecution, or a combination of both.

Use motorized vehicles responsibly

Off-highway vehicle users can reduce the risk of wildfires by removing burnable debris from hot spots on their machines. All off-highway vehicles in Alberta are required to have a functional muffler and spark arresters.

Motorized vehicles should be kept away from stream banks, wetlands and wet trails. Sewage, garbage, and abandoned equipment should be disposed of properly rather than left on public land or in Alberta's water bodies.

Alberta's beautiful outdoors are there for everyone to enjoy - and we all play an important part in ensuring our lands, forests and water bodies remain healthy and sustainable for today and tomorrow.

Report from the Legislature - Capital Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

New legislation to improve organ and tissue donation rates

The Redford government is taking action to improve Alberta's organ and tissue donation rates and lower transplant wait times across the country, in an effort to save and improve more lives.

The government brought forward a motion to adopt Private Member's Bill, the Human Tissue and Organ Donation Amendment Act, 2013 - or Bill 207 - as a government bill.

Alberta empowers more students to succeed

Alberta is giving teachers more tools to help students succeed by introducing new, more student-friendly assessments that will replace the existing Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs).

While most students are comfortable taking such tests on a computer, traditional paper copies will also be available.

Kick off summer safely this May long weekend

By respecting the land and obeying the law, Albertans can help make the May long weekend - the traditional kick-off to summer - enjoyable for all.

Rules vary by area: know before you go

Do your part to prevent wildfires

Obey traffic laws

Use motorized vehicles responsibly

Alberta's beautiful outdoors are there for everyone to enjoy - and we all play an important part in ensuring our lands, forests and water bodies remain healthy and sustainable for today and tomorrow.

Report from the Legislature - Rural Central and Southern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Redford government clarifies law to help bare land condo owners, amends other Acts

Legislation governing condominiums has been passed to help protect bare land condo owners from large assessments to repair and maintain managed property.

A recent Court of Queen's Bench decision determined that the current Condominium Property Act does not give bare land condominium corporations the authority to collect fees or use reserve funds for expenses related to repairing and maintaining managed property. As a result, corporations may have to finance expenses for managed property, potentially exposing unit owners to large special assessments to cover the costs.

Bill 24, the Statutes Amendment Act, clarifies the Condominium Property Act to allow bare land condominium corporations to collect fees and use their reserve funds to maintain, repair and replace managed property if their bylaws allow it. The change impacts approximately 1,300 corporations with 40,000 owners.

Service Alberta is currently compiling and analyzing the input of more than 5,000 Albertans who participated in the broader review of the Condominium Property Act. Additional improvements will be made to the Act to enhance protection for home buyers and improve standards in the condominium industry.

Other amendments in Bill 24 include changes to the Surveys Act providing greater options for recruitment for the Director of Surveys and allow key survey work in townships or parcel subdivisions to continue.

Amendments to the Emblems of Alberta Act designate the provincial shield of Alberta as an official emblem so members of the public can use it without restriction or permission. This would be consistent with practice across Canada. In addition, minor language adjustments to the Act are proposed for clarity and consistency. Additional information on the emblems of Alberta can be found at culture.alberta.ca/about/emblems .

The Perpetuities Act amendments found in Bill 24 assure private owners of minerals that they retain ownership of the resources they lease to others. Amendments will clarify that section 19(1) of the Perpetuities Act does not apply to minerals leases; thereby ensuring private owners of minerals retain control of their property.

Successful Market Access Tour held over

The Alberta government's Market Access Tour is being extended to help even more businesses export their products.

As a result, Dallas and his outreach team will visit more communities this fall.

Dates for the fall Market Access Tour will be announced in the coming weeks.

New legislation establishes funding formula for oil sands monitoring

Government ensures stability for Alberta students

Education Minister Jeff Johnson has signaled his intent to introduce Bill 26, the Assurance for Students Act. If passed, the bill will ensure that the remaining boards and two ATA locals benefit from the negotiated agreement their colleagues from across the province already adopted. After over two and a half years of negotiation, an agreement between the government and the ATA was reached on March 15, 2013. Boards and ATA locals have spent the last two months ratifying this agreement at the local level.

Report from the Legislature - Calgary Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Redford Government puts children first

The Alberta government is increasing support and protection for children in Alberta.

The Children First Act supports the health, safety, education, security and well-being of children in Alberta by enhancing legislation and policies that affect children and youth. It is an important step in continuing the process of transforming how government supports the health, safety and success of Alberta's children.

Consistent with the direction outlined by Alberta's Social Policy Framework, the Act will assist government, community partners and families in breaking down barriers and encouraging collaboration to identify and meet the needs of children and youth.

Highlights of the proposed legislation include:
andbull; Develop a Children's Charter to ensure government policy puts children first. The Charter will establish government-wide principles, priorities and roles to guide the development of policies, programs and services affecting children. The Charter will support Alberta's Social Policy Framework in guiding collaboration among departments, service providers and communities;
andbull; Review all policies, programs and services across government that impact children and provide a report to the Alberta Legislature;
andbull; Provide for more consistent, open and appropriate information sharing between those who work for the health, safety, and protection of children, including front-line workers in health, education, social work and law enforcement; and
andbull; Allow for the disclosure of anonymized information to the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research. This information will be used by the Centre to conduct research for the Alberta government to support evidence-based decision making.

The Children First Act will also make related amendments to several pieces of legislation to achieve better outcomes for children:
andbull; Amendments to the Protection Against Family Violence Act to formally establish a Family Violence Death Review Committee;
andbull; Revamp the offence provisions within the Drug Endangered Children Act, Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act, and the Child Youth and Family Enhancement Act to ensure that those who put children at risk are held accountable;
andbull; Strengthen the mandate of the Child and Youth Advocate;
andbull; Improve access to court-ordered financial support through the Maintenance Enforcement and Child Support Recalculation programs;
andbull; Enhance access to counselling support for child victims of crime; and
andbull; Confirm the commitment to Alberta's Promise by extending its renewal term.

Government strengthens support for 911 services

New supports are on the way for 911 call centres now that Bill 15, the Emergency 911 Act, has passed third reading in the Alberta Legislature.

The act includes a new reliable source of funding for Alberta's 911 call centers that will be implemented later in 2013, with funding flowing to 911 call centres in 2014.

Before the Emergency 911 Act is proclaimed into law, the government will take the following steps:
andbull; work with wireless service providers to finalize details on the collection of the new 911 levy on cellphones;
andbull; gather input from stakeholders about the regulations for the act and how funds will be distributed to 911 call centres; and,
andbull; begin discussions with 911 call centres to establish a framework for the development of provincewide standards, guidelines and policies for 911 service.

The Emergency 911 Act will be proclaimed later in 2013. It includes:
andbull; a reliable source of funding for 911 call centres through a 911 levy on cellphones, which will come into effect later in 2013;
andbull; a way for the government to create, in collaboration with stakeholders, new standards, processes and procedures for 911 call taking;
andbull; better legal protection for 911 call centres; and,
andbull; fines for individuals who deliberately abuse 911 service.
Visit www.aema.alberta.ca if you have any questions about the Emergency 911 Act.

Horner brings Alberta's story to investors in Asia

Opening doors to Asian markets will top the agenda when Doug Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, travels to Asia May 13-24.

Horner will join representatives from Alberta's Hong Kong and China trade offices as well as19 Alberta-based companies for Alberta Week in Hong Kong. Horner will speak about Alberta's positive investment climate at investor seminars in Hong Kong and Guangzhou and will meet one-on-one with potential investors, financial institutions and business leaders. Horner's mission also includes travel to Beijing and Shanghai, where he will deliver keynote presentations on Alberta to government officials in both cities.

Report from the Legislature - Capital Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Redford Government puts children first

The Alberta government is increasing support and protection for children in Alberta.

The Children First Act supports the health, safety, education, security and well-being of children in Alberta by enhancing legislation and policies that affect children and youth. It is an important step in continuing the process of transforming how government supports the health, safety and success of Alberta's children.

The Children First Act will also make related amendments to several pieces of legislation to achieve better outcomes for children:
andbull; Amendments to the Protection Against Family Violence Act to formally establish a Family Violence Death Review Committee;
andbull; Revamp the offence provisions within the Drug Endangered Children Act, Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act, and the Child Youth and Family Enhancement Act to ensure that those who put children at risk are held accountable;
andbull; Strengthen the mandate of the Child and Youth Advocate;
andbull; Improve access to court-ordered financial support through the Maintenance Enforcement and Child Support Recalculation programs;
andbull; Enhance access to counselling support for child victims of crime; and
andbull; Confirm the commitment to Alberta's Promise by extending its renewal term.

Government strengthens support for 911 services

New supports are on the way for 911 call centres now that Bill 15, the Emergency 911 Act, has passed third reading in the Alberta Legislature.

The act includes a new reliable source of funding for Alberta's 911 call centers that will be implemented later in 2013, with funding flowing to 911 call centres in 2014.

Visit www.aema.alberta.ca if you have any questions about the Emergency 911 Act.

Horner brings Alberta's story to investors in Asia

Opening doors to Asian markets will top the agenda when Doug Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, travels to Asia May 13-24.

Report from the Legislature - Rural Central and Southern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Thousands of new spaces for Alberta students

Parents, students and community leaders are hailing the announcement of 30 new and modernized school projects across Alberta this week.

Premier Alison Redford, Education Minister Jeff Johnson and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Drysdale and their caucus colleagues announced more than 18,650 new student spaces in 19 Alberta communities.

The Redford government is investing $503 million over three years to support the delivery of new school projects within Alberta's high-growth communities. Meetings between government and local school boards to discuss planning and design will soon be under way. Schools will be built through a combination of methods, including public-private partnerships. New school projects in this first bundle are expected to be completed in 2016.

Redford Government puts children first

The Alberta government is increasing support and protection for children in Alberta.

Government strengthens support for 911 services

New supports are on the way for 911 call centres now that Bill 15, the Emergency 911 Act, has passed third reading in the Alberta Legislature.

The act includes a new reliable source of funding for Alberta's 911 call centers that will be implemented later in 2013, with funding flowing to 911 call centres in 2014.

Visit www.aema.alberta.ca if you have any questions about the Emergency 911 Act.

Report from the Legislature - Northern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Redford Government puts children first

The Alberta government is increasing support and protection for children in Alberta.

Government strengthens support for 911 services

New supports are on the way for 911 call centres now that Bill 15, the Emergency 911 Act, has passed third reading in the Alberta Legislature.

The act includes a new reliable source of funding for Alberta's 911 call centers that will be implemented later in 2013, with funding flowing to 911 call centres in 2014.

Visit www.aema.alberta.ca if you have any questions about the Emergency 911 Act.

Thousands of new spaces for Alberta students

Parents, students and community leaders are hailing the announcement of 30 new and modernized school projects across Alberta this week.

Premier Alison Redford, Education Minister Jeff Johnson and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Drysdale and their caucus colleagues announced more than 18,650 new student spaces in 19 Alberta communities.

Report from the Legislature - Calgary Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

New strategy bolsters province's fight against cancer

Albertans will see improved cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and support as the government moves forward with a bold new plan to fight cancer.

The plan, Changing Our Future: Alberta's Cancer Plan to 2030, maps out 10 strategies to transform coordination of care for patients, clinicians and researchers, with the goal of preventing most cancers, curing more cases of cancer, and reducing the suffering of those affected by cancer.

'Every day, 42 Albertans learn they have cancer. We expect that to grow to 73 new cancer cases a day by 2030. We aim to change that,' said Health Minister Fred Horne. 'Even though we have exceptional cancer care, we need to do more starting today. To wait means losing the opportunity to get ahead of the curve and that will end up costing much more - in lives and in dollars.'

The plan calls for a provincial approach to cancer management so all parts of the system - from prevention to screening, treatment and care - can work together for the best possible outcomes for patients and families. The plan aims to reduce wait times for treatment, generate more seamless quality care, and improve the use of leading-edge research and clinical trials to support patient care.

A key element of the plan creates CancerControl Alberta, a new operating division in Alberta Health Services, which will bring all of Alberta's cancer facilities and programs under one umbrella. A cancer stewardship committee will be created to support implementation of the plan.

'CancerControl Alberta builds on the foundation of an already impressive provincial cancer program. Our program will be amongst the best in the world, increasingly based on evidence, much generated by research that will be carried out as an integral part of CancerControl Alberta,' said Dr. Paul Grundy, Senior Vice President and Senior Medical Director of CancerControl Alberta.

'The new entity will provide far greater leadership and have responsibility for the full cancer control spectrum, providing expert care and support for patients from their first symptom to survivorship or palliation.'

The plan will make better use of existing facilities and staff, and build or expand cancer facilities in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and Grande Prairie. A new billion-dollar cancer centre in Calgary will serve outpatients, inpatients, and cancer research, and the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton is making upgrades worth $67 million.

The plan will be integrated with other provincial strategies, such as the Tobacco Reduction Strategy, further development of Family Care Clinics and Primary Care Networks for enhanced primary health care, the ongoing Healthy U campaign, and development of health care infrastructure and palliative care capacity.

Redford government announces new schools for Calgary

Families in Calgary will benefit from nine new and replacement schools that will ensure their sons and daughters can continue to receive a world-class education in modern, student-friendly facilities.

The projects are part of Premier Alison Redford's promised investment in education infrastructure and the third major capital announcement this week.

'We made a commitment to build new schools and we're doing just that,' said Premier Redford. 'This is about more than bricks and mortar - it's about building strong communities so all our kids get the best possible start in life. By investing in schools today, we are investing in ourselves, and our province.'

These new schools will provide as many as 7,550 student spaces across all grades in Calgary.

'Calgary is a growing city and we need to ensure we build the schools today that Calgary will need for in the future,' said Education Minister Jeff Johnson. 'These projects will support the need for more student spaces and bring Inspiring Education to life through enhanced programming and student engagement.'

The new schools will feature advanced systems and features such as large windows that provide natural lighting and ventilation systems that improve air quality and circulation, creating a healthy learning and working environment for students and teachers and the people who use them.

'Adding these nine new and replacement school projects to the 13 already announced for northern and southern Alberta will keep industry busy delivering the modern, technologically advanced learning facilities our students and communities deserve,' said Infrastructure Minister Wayne Drysdale. 'In just a few short years Alberta students will be walking through the doors of their much needed new school.'

Government is investing $503 million over three years to support the delivery of new school projects within Alberta's high-growth communities. Meetings between government and local boards to discuss planning and design will soon be underway. Schools will be built through a combination of public-private partnerships and traditional methods. New school projects in this first bundle are expected to be completed in 2016.

Report from the Legislature - Capital Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

New strategy bolsters province's fight against cancer

Albertans will see improved cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and support as the government moves forward with a bold new plan to fight cancer.

Royal Alberta Museum acquires PoW collection

The Royal Alberta Museum will offer a unique window on the province's history of prisoners of war (PoWs) thanks to its recent acquisition of the Robert Henderson PoW Collection.

Canada was home to nearly 35,000 PoWs, mostly German, during the Second World War. A number of detainment camps were located in Alberta, notably at Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. Some camps also held civilian internees thought to be a danger to the Canadian war effort. Veterans of the First World War, most too old for active overseas service, served as camp guards.

Collector Robert Henderson spent close to four decades acquiring and researching the extensive assemblage of artifacts and materials relating to camp inmates, guards and operations. The collection's level of documentation, which explains where, when, how and by whom most of the objects were used, is nearly as extraordinary as the objects themselves.

In total, there are more than 1000 PoW-related objects in the collection. Artifacts range from infrastructure pieces, such as an isolation cell door, to objects that shed light on camp life, including works of art created by prisoners. Also part of the acquisition is a collection of more than 600 'home front' objects.

Once processed, the collections will be assessed for display in the new Royal Alberta Museum. An online exhibit will also be developed and objects will eventually be made available for research and loans.

Operated by Alberta Culture, the Royal Alberta Museum is located in Edmonton.

Report from the Legislature - Northern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Redford government announces new schools for northern Alberta

Families in northern Alberta will benefit from seven new schools that will ensure their sons and daughters can continue to receive a world-class education in modern, student-friendly facilities.

New and replacement schools will be added in Beaverlodge, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Grimshaw, Joussard, Neerlandia and Sexsmith. The projects are part of Premier Alison Redford's promised investment in education infrastructure and the first in a series of announcements across the province this week.

These seven new schools will provide as many as 3,100 student spaces across all grades in northern Alberta.

The new schools will feature advanced systems and features such as large windows that provide natural lighting and ventilation systems that improve air quality and circulation, creating a healthy learning and working environment for students and teachers and the people who use them.

The Governments of Canada and of Alberta launch new online portal for accessing oil sands environmental monitoring data

On April 22, Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, and Alberta's Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Minister, the Honourable Diana McQueen, announced that access to federal and provincial environmental monitoring data on air, water, land and biodiversity in the oil sands is now available through an online data portal (www.JointOilSandsMonitoring.ca).

The new portal represents the next stage of progress for the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring announced in February 2012.

The Joint Plan represents a scientific undertaking that is unprecedented in Canada. It will monitor the impacts of oil sands activity over an area covering some 140,000 square kilometres.

The information and data portal offers visitors an overview of the monitoring process along with a map identifying specific water, air, land and biodiversity monitoring sites and allows users to see what is being monitored and the data that has been gathered for each site. As new data is collected, analyzed and validated, it will be posted and be publicly accessible. The information and data found on the joint portal will complement what can be found on Alberta's Oil Sands Information Portal (www.osip.alberta.ca). Together, the two portals ensure all available data pertaining to environmental monitoring in the oil sands region is publicly accessible.

The Joint Plan is being phased in over three years, with work having begun in 2012. The scope and volume of data on the portal will increase as the Joint Plan is fully implemented.

New strategy bolsters province's fight against cancer

Albertans will see improved cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and support as the government moves forward with a bold new plan to fight cancer.

Report from the Legislature - Rural Central and Southern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Redford government announces new schools for central and southern Alberta

Families in central and southern Alberta will benefit from five new schools and a modernization that will ensure their sons and daughters can continue to receive a world-class education in modern, student-friendly facilities.

New schools will be added in Blackfalds, Cochrane, Davisburg, Lethbridge and Wheatland, along with a major modernization in Three Hills. The projects are part of Premier Alison Redford's promised investment in education infrastructure and the second major capital announcement this week.

These new schools will provide as many as 3,050 student spaces across all grades in southern Alberta.

Government is investing $503 million over three years to support the delivery of new school projects within Alberta's high-growth communities. Meetings between government and local school boards to discuss planning and design will soon be underway. Schools will be built through a combination of public-private partnerships and traditional methods. New school projects in this first bundle are expected to be completed in 2016.

Chief executive officer of new energy regulator named

Chief Executive Officer Jim Ellis will be responsible for the operations of the new Alberta Energy Regulator, joining recently-named Board Chair Gerry Protti on the leadership team.

As Chair of the Board of Directors, Protti will be responsible for setting the general direction of the regulator's business and affairs. As Chief Executive Officer, Ellis will handle the day-to-day operations of the province wide regulator with nearly 1000 staff and a $200-million budget.

Ellis has served as deputy minister of the provincial energy and environment departments, and led work on regional land planning, cumulative effects management, regulatory enhancement, and responsible development policy. Most recently, he was the lead Alberta official on the Canadian Energy Strategy. Prior to government service, his military career included service in Germany and command responsibilities in Bosnia. His final overseas mission was as the Senior Commander for Canada's mission to Afghanistan in 2004/05.

Protti brings a wealth of governance experience to the Chair position. He has served as chair of a number of boards including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Public Policy Forum and STARS, and as a member on a number of other community and research boards. He also brings experience with the energy industry, both in oil and gas companies and in the provincial energy department.

The Alberta Energy Regulator will be responsible for regulating the province's upstream oil, oil sands, natural gas and coal development. With a mandate to provide for the efficient, safe, orderly and environmentally responsible development of energy resources, the Alberta Energy Regulator will be responsible for regulating the life cycle of an energy project from application and construction to production, abandonment, and reclamation. It will begin phasing in operations this June.

New strategy bolsters province's fight against cancer

Albertans will see improved cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and support as the government moves forward with a bold new plan to fight cancer.

Report from the Legislature - Calgary Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

New property tax deferral helps seniors stay at home

Seniors in Alberta now have the option to defer their residential property taxes to keep extra money in their pockets and enable them to stay in their homes longer.

Through the Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program, homeowners 65 and older can defer all or part of their residential property taxes through a low-interest home equity loan with the Alberta government. The loans are repaid when the home is sold, or sooner if the senior chooses.

'Seniors spend years building memories, and equity, in their homes,' said Premier Alison Redford. 'Our government's commitment is to provide options that allow seniors to stay at home in their communities for as long as possible. The Seniors Property Tax Deferral program is an innovative way to deliver on that promise for seniors, and for all Albertans.'

The Seniors Property Tax Deferral program will provide a new option for seniors as the Education Property Tax Assistance Program begins income testing this year, and ends in 2014. On average, seniors received $160 a year through the education tax program. The Seniors Property Tax Deferral will free up an average of $2,000 a year for senior homeowners. Over the next three years, it is expected the program will free up over $50 million for more than 23,500 senior households.

'We know most seniors live on fixed incomes, and that while many are house-rich, day-to-day cash flow is sometimes limited,' said Associate Minister of Seniors, George VanderBurg. 'With the Seniors Property Tax Deferral program, we're offering seniors a way to free up funds that otherwise would have been spent on property taxes.'

To be eligible for the Seniors Property Tax Deferral, homeowners must be 65 years or older, and have a minimum 25 per cent equity in their home. The home must be the senior's primary residence - where he or she lives most of the time.

'Seniors have worked hard their whole lives to pay for their homes, and they want to stay at home for as long as possible,' said John MacDonald, Executive Director of Seniors United Now. 'This new property tax deferral program will provide a little extra money that can go a long way to helping seniors stay at home.'

Seniors can request an application by calling the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 (780-644-9992 in Edmonton.)

No post-secondary tuition increases

The Redford government is ensuring that the province's post-secondary students won't pay more in tuition next fall by freezing rates for the 2013-14 academic year.

'We've been very clear that we will not be balancing the budget on the backs of students,' said Premier Alison Redford. 'Getting a post-secondary education is a truly wonderful investment and we want to make sure that investment remains affordable for families and students.'

'No tuition increases for students has been government's expectation all along,' said Deputy Premier and Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education Thomas Lukaszuk. 'Post-secondary institutions under the Campus Alberta umbrella need to examine how to administer their schools differently so more dollars find their way into classrooms, into curriculum development, into programming and into making sure we continue to have leading, competitive education for our over 237,000 students and 31,000 apprentices.'

Students are an important voice in the post-secondary education system and the Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education and ministry officials are committed to regular quarterly meetings with groups representing students in Alberta. Quarterly meetings will also be held with presidents and chairs of post-secondary institutions.

Government will cover the annual 2.15% tuition increase tied to the annual rate of inflation for the upcoming academic year.

Overnight clean sweep on Deerfoot Trail

Street sweepers are already working through the night to clean up winter sand along Deerfoot Trail and will continue to May 6 at night only. Traffic will be redirected during four overnight periods in the next week while some sections of the roadway are closed for the cleaning process.

Southbound drivers on the Deerfoot between 17th Avenue SE and Southland Drive SE will be rerouted to Blackfoot Trail from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on April 24 and April 25. Signage will be in place marking the detour route.

Northbound drivers will take the same detour from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on April 29 and April 30.

On other nights until May 6, sweepers will clear and pick up sand along the shoulders, which will not require lane closures. Motorists are asked to drive with caution during this period.

Report from the Legislature - Capital Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

Seniors can request an application by calling the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 (780-644-9992 in Edmonton.)

Government will cover the annual 2.15% tuition increase tied to the annual rate of inflation for the upcoming academic year.

Report from the Legislature - Rural Central and Southern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

New property tax deferral helps seniors stay at home

Seniors in Alberta now have the option to defer their residential property taxes to keep extra money in their pockets and enable them to stay in their homes longer.

Through the Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program, homeowners 65 and older can defer all or part of their residential property taxes through a low-interest home equity loan with the Alberta government. The loans are repaid when the home is sold, or sooner if the senior chooses.

Full details on program eligibility and applications are available on the Alberta Health (http://www.health.alberta.ca/) website, and at local branches of ATB Financial, which is managing program accounts on behalf of government.

Seniors can also request an application by calling the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 (780-644-9992 in Edmonton.)

Redford government to make new pension options available to Albertans

Working Albertans will soon have access to a new retirement savings tool.

Bill 18, the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act, will allow employers, employees and the self-employed to access pooled registered pension plans. These large, defined contribution plans will be professionally managed by plan providers, such as banks and insurance companies, and will be open to any employer or to individuals.

Pooled pension plans have low fees, meaning members will pay less for the management of their plan and as a result, save more for their retirement. Joining a pooled pension fund also allows members to access the benefits of being a part of a large fund. Portability of the pension plans will allow members' accumulated benefits to move with them from job to job.

The Government of Alberta has worked with a wide variety of stakeholders to develop the legislation, including the federal government, small to medium sized businesses, insurance companies and financial institutions.

The Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act will make Alberta one of the first provinces to make this retirement savings tool available for its residents.

Barley bred in Alberta is a win for prairie growers

The first malt barley bred by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is now to be commercially contracted for malt. Canterra Seeds and Canada Malting made the announcement that Albertaand#8208;bred Bentley barley will be contracted for malt purposes.

Bentley is a twoand#8208;row barley that is agronomically well-suited to the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Alberta Agriculture research staff based in Lacombe worked for many years on the variety, and it was registered in 2008.

Bentley's high yield, agronomic package and excellent quality profile has proven it to be superior to other malt varieties on the market. Now that malt approval is expected for Bentley, the variety shows even more value to growers in the Western Prairies as demand for malting barley is expected to continue to grow.

'The Alberta Barley Commission has been a long-time supporter of varietal research in Lacombe and it's tremendous to see this announcement,' said Alberta Barley Commission chairman Matt Sawyer. 'Bentley is an excellent example of farmer research dollars at work.'

Canterra Seeds acquired the marketing rights to Bentley in 2008. 'The impact of Bentley barley on the market is going to be substantial,' said Brent Derkatch, director, Operations andamp; Business Development, Canterra Seeds, 'This is the first malt variety bred by Alberta Agriculture in Alberta that is going to have a great economic impact for growers. If he signs a Bentley malt contract, a grower can expect more money going back into his pocket.'

Report from the Legislature - Northern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

New property tax deferral helps seniors stay at home

Seniors in Alberta now have the option to defer their residential property taxes to keep extra money in their pockets and enable them to stay in their homes longer.

Seniors can also request an application by calling the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 (780-644-9992 in Edmonton.)

Redford government to make new pension options available to Albertans

Working Albertans will soon have access to a new retirement savings tool.

The Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act will make Alberta one of the first provinces to make this retirement savings tool available for its residents.

Barley bred in Alberta is a win for prairie growers

Report from the Legislature - Calgary Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

Seven-year deal signals new partnership with Alberta doctors

The Redford government and Alberta's physicians have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that provides long-term stability for the health care system and improves care for patients.

'There's no question that this deal will benefit patients - it meets our fiscal goals and ensures we can keep working with our highly trained and internationally respected doctors to improve our cherished health care system. This has been a long and challenging process and I'm very proud of the work that Minister Horne and Dr. Giuffre have done to reach this significant milestone,' said Premier Alison Redford.

The MOU, signed by Horne and Giuffre, forms the framework for a final agreement with Alberta physicians. The seven-year deal freezes compensation for three years back to 2011 and provides increases from 2014-15 to 2017-18. The MOU includes:

Zero per cent increases from 2011-12 to 2013-14, a 2.5 per cent increase in each of 2014-15 and 2015-16, and a Cost of Living Adjustment in 2016-17 and 2017-18;
A one-time lump-sum payment totaling $68 million, to be distributed by the AMA in consultation with Alberta Health, to address various financial challenges faced by physician practices;
Commitment to an ongoing agreement that reflects the permanency of the relationship between Alberta Health and the AMA;
Creation of a physician compensation committee to oversee compensation practices and any future changes, including reviewing and adjusting relative payment rates, or fees;
Arbitration rights on prices for fees and specific benefits;
Recognition of the AMA as the ongoing representative of physicians for compensation negotiations going forward;
Commitment for Alberta Health and the AMA to continue to work together on how primary care evolves in the future;
Commitment by Alberta Health to consult with the AMA on a new electronic medical records strategy for physicians; and
Commitment to consult together on matters outside the agreement that touch and concern physicians.

Both parties will use the MOU as the basis to develop a final legal agreement by April 22, 2013. Each party will then take the agreement through their respective approval processes. The last physician agreement expired on March 31, 2011.

$30.9 million upgrade for seniors' accommodations

Albertans living in seniors' lodges can expect modernizations and greater comfort through a $30.9 million investment from the Alberta government in Budget 2013.

Maintenance and improvements of up to 172 seniors' lodges, cottages and unique homes will benefit as many as 10,000 seniors across the province.

Each housing management body has been allocated $3,000 for every lodge, cottage and unique home unit it owns or manages as a one-time capital renewal investment. Upon approval of project proposals, housing management bodies can use the funds for items such as:

various building repairs and mechanical and plumbing upgrades;
fire and safety upgrades; and
kitchen, dining room and resident room expansions/renovations.

There are 153 lodges, 11 cottages and eight unique homes operating in Alberta with more than 10,000 living units eligible for support. Of these units, 60 per cent are owned by housing management bodies, and 40 per cent are owned by the Alberta Social Housing Corporation (ASHC). The ASHC owns the province's portfolio of social housing and manages agreements associated with these buildings.

Report from the Legislature - Capital Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

The MOU includes:

Zero per cent increases from 2011-12 to 2013-14, a 2.5 per cent increase in each of 2014-15 and 2015-16, and a Cost of Living Adjustment in 2016-17 and 2017-18;
A one-time lump-sum payment totaling $68 million, to be distributed by the AMA in consultation with Alberta Health, to address various financial challenges faced by physician practices;
Commitment to an ongoing agreement that reflects the permanency of the relationship between Alberta Health and the AMA;
Creation of a physician compensation committee to oversee compensation practices and any future changes, including reviewing and adjusting relative payment rates, or fees;
Arbitration rights on prices for fees and specific benefits;
Recognition of the AMA as the ongoing representative of physicians for compensation negotiations going forward;
Commitment for Alberta Health and the AMA to continue to work together on how primary care evolves in the future;
Commitment by Alberta Health to consult with the AMA on a new electronic medical records strategy for physicians; and
Commitment to consult together on matters outside the agreement that touch and concern physicians.

various building repairs and mechanical and plumbing upgrades;
fire and safety upgrades; and
kitchen, dining room and resident room expansions/renovations.

Report from the Legislature - Rural Central and Southern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

Seven-year deal signals new partnership with Alberta doctors

The Redford government and Alberta's physicians have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that provides long-term stability for the health care system and improves care for patients.

'There's no question that this deal will benefit patients - it meets our fiscal goals and ensures we can keep working with our highly trained and internationally respected doctors to improve our cherished health care system. This has been a long and challenging process and I'm very proud of the work that Minister Horne and Dr. Giuffre have done to reach this significant milestone,' said Premier Alison Redford.

The MOU includes:

Zero per cent increases from 2011-12 to 2013-14, a 2.5 per cent increase in each of 2014-15 and 2015-16, and a Cost of Living Adjustment in 2016-17 and 2017-18;
A one-time lump-sum payment totaling $68 million, to be distributed by the AMA in consultation with Alberta Health, to address various financial challenges faced by physician practices;
Commitment to an ongoing agreement that reflects the permanency of the relationship between Alberta Health and the AMA;
Creation of a physician compensation committee to oversee compensation practices and any future changes, including reviewing and adjusting relative payment rates, or fees;
Arbitration rights on prices for fees and specific benefits;
Recognition of the AMA as the ongoing representative of physicians for compensation negotiations going forward;
Commitment for Alberta Health and the AMA to continue to work together on how primary care evolves in the future;
Commitment by Alberta Health to consult with the AMA on a new electronic medical records strategy for physicians; and
Commitment to consult together on matters outside the agreement that touch and concern physicians.

In addition to what is specifically set out in the agreement, the parties have also agreed to continue discussions on opportunities where Alberta Health, the AMA, and Alberta Health Services will work together to find efficiencies and savings within the health system.
Both parties will use the MOU as the basis to develop a final legal agreement by April 22, 2013. Each party will then take the agreement through their respective approval processes. The last physician agreement expired on March 31, 2011.

$30.9 million upgrade for seniors' accommodations

Albertans living in seniors' lodges can expect modernizations and greater comfort through a $30.9 million investment from the Alberta government in Budget 2013.

Maintenance and improvements of up to 172 seniors' lodges, cottages and unique homes will benefit as many as 10,000 seniors across the province.

various building repairs and mechanical and plumbing upgrades;
fire and safety upgrades; and
kitchen, dining room and resident room expansions/renovations.

New legislation supports successful future for Metis settlements

New legislation introduced by the Alberta government will improve the lives of Albertans on Mandeacute;tis Settlements.

Bill 19, the Mandeacute;tis Settlements Amendment Act, 2013, introduced by Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell, supports the recently announced Mandeacute;tis Settlements Long Term Arrangements and promotes accountability and good governance of the settlements. The amendments are the result of negotiations with the Mandeacute;tis Settlements leadership over the last year.

Highlights of the proposed legislation:

An official Code of Conduct for Settlement councils will be developed.
There will be a clear division between the role of councils and administration.
An independent committee will review councillors' salaries and make public recommendations on those salaries. After considering the recommendations, the Mandeacute;tis Settlements General Council will set maximum salary rates.
Councils will be required to develop annual three-year business plans.
Elections will be held every four years instead of three. This is consistent with the recent move to a four-year cycle for other local governments.
Increased accountability measures including standardized financial reporting.

The new rules regarding accountability and financial stability are in line with other local government practices in the province.

Alberta government helps companies compete globally

As part of its economic goal to enhance global market access, the Alberta government is holding province-wide seminars to help businesses export their products.

Led by Cal Dallas, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations, the Market Access Tour kicks off April 15 in Camrose and runs for three weeks in 10 communities, from Medicine Hat to La Crete.

The seminars will provide an opportunity for business owners to:

learn about key markets, opportunities and trade development services;
get advice on who to contact locally and internationally;
network with the Chamber of Commerce, industry associations and other stakeholders; and,
hear about Alberta's International Strategy and International Office network.

The Market Access Tour is designed to give the business community an overview of the services the Alberta government provides to support companies exporting their products and services abroad.

The information sessions will be held in Camrose, Rocky Mountain House, Lac La Biche, Bonnyville, Medicine Hat, Brooks, Grande Prairie, La Crete, Lloydminster and Drumheller.

4-H Highway Cleanup

Mark Saturday, May 4 on your calendars as, weather permitting, 4-Hers from across the province will take to the ditches in the Alberta Transportation annual highway cleanup program.

'4-Hers picking up garbage along Alberta's highways on the first Saturday of May has been a long-standing tradition, and make no mistake about it, it's a dirty job,' says Cameron Horner, 4-H specialist - communications and marketing. 'But, the kids have a great time and they really make it into a fun day. Their hard work is evident from the get go - clean highways for all to view.'

Last year Alberta 4-H clubs, service and not-for-profit groups picked 9,751 kilometres of highway ditches in an effort to keep Alberta's highways clean and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Please remember if you are travelling Alberta's highways on May 4 to watch for Highway Clean-up Event signs and to slow down when approaching and passing working members

Report from the Legislature - Northern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

Seven-year deal signals new partnership with Alberta doctors

The Redford government and Alberta's physicians have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that provides long-term stability for the health care system and improves care for patients.

The MOU includes:

Zero per cent increases from 2011-12 to 2013-14, a 2.5 per cent increase in each of 2014-15 and 2015-16, and a Cost of Living Adjustment in 2016-17 and 2017-18;
A one-time lump-sum payment totaling $68 million, to be distributed by the AMA in consultation with Alberta Health, to address various financial challenges faced by physician practices;
Commitment to an ongoing agreement that reflects the permanency of the relationship between Alberta Health and the AMA;
Creation of a physician compensation committee to oversee compensation practices and any future changes, including reviewing and adjusting relative payment rates, or fees;
Arbitration rights on prices for fees and specific benefits;
Recognition of the AMA as the ongoing representative of physicians for compensation negotiations going forward;
Commitment for Alberta Health and the AMA to continue to work together on how primary care evolves in the future;
Commitment by Alberta Health to consult with the AMA on a new electronic medical records strategy for physicians; and
Commitment to consult together on matters outside the agreement that touch and concern physicians.

$30.9 million upgrade for seniors' accommodations

Albertans living in seniors' lodges can expect modernizations and greater comfort through a $30.9 million investment from the Alberta government in Budget 2013.

Maintenance and improvements of up to 172 seniors' lodges, cottages and unique homes will benefit as many as 10,000 seniors across the province.

various building repairs and mechanical and plumbing upgrades;
fire and safety upgrades; and
kitchen, dining room and resident room expansions/renovations.

New legislation supports successful future for Metis settlements

New legislation introduced by the Alberta government will improve the lives of Albertans on Mandeacute;tis Settlements.

Highlights of the proposed legislation:

An official Code of Conduct for Settlement councils will be developed.
There will be a clear division between the role of councils and administration.
An independent committee will review councillors' salaries and make public recommendations on those salaries. After considering the recommendations, the Mandeacute;tis Settlements General Council will set maximum salary rates.
Councils will be required to develop annual three-year business plans.
Elections will be held every four years instead of three. This is consistent with the recent move to a four-year cycle for other local governments.
Increased accountability measures including standardized financial reporting.

The new rules regarding accountability and financial stability are in line with other local government practices in the province.

Alberta government helps companies compete globally

As part of its economic goal to enhance global market access, the Alberta government is holding province-wide seminars to help businesses export their products.

The seminars will provide an opportunity for business owners to:

learn about key markets, opportunities and trade development services;
get advice on who to contact locally and internationally;
network with the Chamber of Commerce, industry associations and other stakeholders; and,
hear about Alberta's International Strategy and International Office network.

The Market Access Tour is designed to give the business community an overview of the services the Alberta government provides to support companies exporting their products and services abroad.

The information sessions will be held in Camrose, Rocky Mountain House, Lac La Biche, Bonnyville, Medicine Hat, Brooks, Grande Prairie, La Crete, Lloydminster and Drumheller.

4-H Highway Cleanup

Last year Alberta 4-H clubs, service and not-for-profit groups picked 9,751 kilometres of highway ditches in an effort to keep Alberta's highways clean and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Please remember if you are travelling Alberta's highways on May 4 to watch for Highway Clean-up Event signs and to slow down when approaching and passing working members

Albertans invited to pay tribute to former Premier Ralph Klein

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 00:00:00 MST

click for more information

Premier Redford remembers Premier Ralph Klein

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 MST

click for more information

Report from the Legislature - Calgary Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 MST

Building Alberta: Budget 2013 invests in communities
Maintaining support for municipal infrastructure and culture, increasing funding to add more RCMP officers and judges, and streamlining the operation of the justice system are important pieces of Budget 2013 that will help build Alberta communities.

Funding for the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) will be maintained at nearly $900 million this fiscal year, allowing municipalities to continue to meet local infrastructure priorities. And over the next three years, government will do more to encourage municipal collaboration and make better use of existing resources and P3 opportunities to invest in affordable housing. Announcements on seniors lodge maintenance and replacement projects and the modernization of social housing facilities will be made in the coming weeks.

Ten more RCMP officers and two new provincial court judges will be working in Alberta this year. Steps will be taken to improve access to the justice system by raising the limit for small claims court, continuing to fund case management offices and other processes that reduce caseloads, and integrating programs that help Albertans navigate the justice system.

Government is maintaining funding for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Community Initiative and Community Facility Enhancement grants and other programs that have consistently had a strong impact on Alberta communities. The new Royal Alberta Museum project continues to move forward, with an anticipated opening in 2017.

Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta's resources. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for. For more information about Budget 2013, visit http://budget2013.alberta.ca.

Building our savings: Clear rules for savings, spending and borrowing
Bill 12, the new Fiscal Management Act sets the stage for Alberta to become less reliant on natural resource revenues through a responsible savings plan.

This Act renews Alberta's fiscal framework and creates the requirement for an operational plan, a savings plan and a capital plan. It legislates a balanced operational budget and retains legislated limits on in-year spending increases. Bill 12 also sets limits on borrowing for infrastructure.
The legislation's savings plan begins in the 2015-16 fiscal year. However, it also allows for accelerated timelines and Budget 2013 will begin saving in the 2014-15 fiscal year.

A portion of non-renewable resource revenue must be set aside as savings every year and will go into the new Contingency Account until it reaches a balance of $5 billion; then the revenue will be used for other savings. The Contingency Account is a short-term savings fund for stabilizing revenue fluctuations and will replace the Alberta Sustainability Fund. Income from the Heritage Savings Trust Fund will also be retained in increasing portions, ultimately retaining 100 per cent of income by 2016-17.

The Fiscal Management Act reflects the results from the Dollars and Sense consultations held in the fall of 2012. Albertans said that their priorities included savings for future generations, as well as supporting borrowing for infrastructure under the right conditions. More information is available at http://finance.alberta.ca.

Overnight bridge work affects traffic on Deerfoot Trail
Travellers in southeast Calgary will face intermittent overnight delays on Deerfoot Trail over three nights starting on the evenings of March 15, March 18 and March 19 to allow bridge work and the installation of large concrete support beams as part of ongoing construction of Stoney Trail.

All on and off ramps will remain open. The speed limit will be reduced to 50 km/h in the construction zone during work hours and travellers may experience intermittent 10and#8209;minute delays as trucks turn around.

This work is in addition to overnight bridge construction from March 18 to March 23 which will impact Highway 22X between Chaparral Boulevard SE/Sun Valley Boulevard and McKenzie Lake Boulevard/Cranston Boulevard SE.

Traffic will be affected from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Monday, March 18 to Saturday, March 23. All traffic will be reduced to 40 km/h in the construction area. Traffic lights at both intersections will not be in use and traffic will be controlled by traffic personnel on site.

Motorists should use caution in these areas and obey all message boards and flag people. Fines for speeding are doubled in construction zones when workers are present. Dates are subject to change due to weather and other conditions.

Up-to-date road information, including traffic delays, is a click or a call away. Call 5-1-1 toll-free, visit http://511.alberta.ca or follow us on Twitter @511Alberta to get on the road to safer travel.

Report from the Legislature - Capital Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 MST

Building Alberta: Budget 2013 invests in communities
Maintaining support for municipal infrastructure and culture, increasing funding to add more RCMP officers and judges, and streamlining the operation of the justice system are important pieces of Budget 2013 that will help build Alberta communities.

Funding for the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) will be maintained at nearly $900 million this fiscal year, allowing municipalities to continue to meet local infrastructure priorities. And over the next three years, government will do more to encourage municipal collaboration and make better use of existing resources and P3 opportunities to invest in affordable housing. Announcements on seniors lodge maintenance and replacement projects and the modernization of social housing facilities will be made in the coming weeks.

Ten more RCMP officers and two new provincial court judges will be working in Alberta this year. Steps will be taken to improve access to the justice system by raising the limit for small claims court, continuing to fund case management offices and other processes that reduce caseloads, and integrating programs that help Albertans navigate the justice system.

Government is maintaining funding for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Community Initiative and Community Facility Enhancement grants and other programs that have consistently had a strong impact on Alberta communities. The new Royal Alberta Museum project continues to move forward, with an anticipated opening in 2017.

Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta's resources. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for. For more information about Budget 2013, visit http://budget2013.alberta.ca.

Building our savings: Clear rules for savings, spending and borrowing
Bill 12, the new Fiscal Management Act sets the stage for Alberta to become less reliant on natural resource revenues through a responsible savings plan.

This Act renews Alberta's fiscal framework and creates the requirement for an operational plan, a savings plan and a capital plan. It legislates a balanced operational budget and retains legislated limits on in-year spending increases. Bill 12 also sets limits on borrowing for infrastructure.

The legislation's savings plan begins in the 2015-16 fiscal year. However, it also allows for accelerated timelines and Budget 2013 will begin saving in the 2014-15 fiscal year.

A portion of non-renewable resource revenue must be set aside as savings every year and will go into the new Contingency Account until it reaches a balance of $5 billion; then the revenue will be used for other savings. The Contingency Account is a short-term savings fund for stabilizing revenue fluctuations and will replace the Alberta Sustainability Fund. Income from the Heritage Savings Trust Fund will also be retained in increasing portions, ultimately retaining 100 per cent of income by 2016-17.

The Fiscal Management Act reflects the results from the Dollars and Sense consultations held in the fall of 2012. Albertans said that their priorities included savings for future generations, as well as supporting borrowing for infrastructure under the right conditions. More information is available at http://finance.alberta.ca.

Building markets: Better access means higher prices for Alberta resources
Budget 2013 increases support for activities that will help Alberta build its economy, secure better market access and receive higher prices for its products.

Alberta will continue to take a leadership role in the development of a Canadian Energy Strategy that recognizes and harnesses the energy expertise and potential from all corners of Canada. In Alberta that means securing access to global markets.

'Getting our resources, especially oil and gas, to new markets means getting a much fairer price for our products. We are working aggressively to expand market access for our energy products, whether it involves expanding current pipeline capacity, developing new pipelines or moving product by rail,' said Energy Minister Ken Hughes.

An increase of $5 million is being budgeted to strengthen Alberta's presence and grow and diversify markets in Asia and the United States.

'Our export sector is the backbone of Alberta's economy. Expanding that sector is vital to maintaining a strong economy and a high quality of life for Albertans,' said International and Intergovernmental Relations Minister Cal Dallas. 'Our work on behalf of Albertans to build powerful domestic and international relationships will allow us to break bitumen barriers, get our products to market and position Alberta as a safe place for global investment.'

Market access and industry development are also key priorities for Alberta's agricultural producers. Priorities will continue to focus on growing the agricultural sector in the global economy, including international marketing and investment attraction, research and innovation, food safety and industry development.

As Albert's economy grows, government will continue to ensure that production is responsible and sustainable, and that the environment is protected. 'In this budget, we're able to maintain support for land-use planning, world-class environmental monitoring, and the creation of the Alberta Energy Regulator - all part of our integrated resource management system - through efficiencies realized by merging two departments into one,' said Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Minister Diana McQueen. 'We're keeping our focus where it matters most.'

Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta's resources. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.

Budget 2013 - Hear What Your Government MLAs Had to Say

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 MST

Budget 2013 delivers the responsible change Albertans want and expect. The budget is a sensible fiscal plan that responds to the Bitumen Bubble. It builds a better Alberta by investing in families and communities, securing new markets for our resources, and ensuring we live within our means.

Alberta is expanding, with a young population that is expected to grow by 100,000 people this year. Budget 2013 focuses on what Alberta needs to do to prepare for life 20 years from now, when Alberta's population is expected to reach five million people.

This long-term vision is reflected in a new fiscal framework that includes clear rules about saving, spending and borrowing, and in government's commitment to build the infrastructure Albertans want and need, like roads, schools and health care facilities.

Listen below to what your Government MLAs had to say about Budget 2013.

Message From Premier Redford

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 MST

English: [Click to view in Additional Languages]

On Thursday Jan. 24, I began a conversation with Albertans about the challenges we face as a result of the rapidly falling price of Alberta oil.

When Albertans elected our government last April, you placed your trust in us to manage in both good and in challenging times, to protect Alberta''s gains, while building for the future. You gave our government a clear mandate to keep investing in services that support our families and our communities. You told us to continue building the new roads, schools and health facilities we need. And we are listening.

Alberta has been a steady star in turbulent waters. But even we''re not immune to economic forces beyond our borders.

Today, 30% of our budget is funded by revenues from oil and gas. �This means we are vulnerable to swings in resource prices � as we have seen with natural gas prices in the past, and now the price we receive for Alberta oil. This 'bitumen bubble' �- a much lower price for Alberta oil caused by limited market access and rapidly growing oil supply in the US - means the Alberta Government will collect about six billion dollars less in revenue this year alone.

So as we prepare this year''s budget, it means we have to make some very difficult choices.

Despite falling oil revenues, I give you my commitment that as we deliver our long-term economic plan for Alberta, we will be thoughtful in our approach and we will deliver on these priorities. In this year''s budget, we''ll hold the line on our spending and we''ll live within our means.

The 'bitumen bubble' is why I will continue to fight for a Canadian Energy Strategy that gets our oil both to the West and East coast in Canada, to the refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast and to markets overseas � particularly growing economies in Asia. We have a duty to ensure that our resources � especially Alberta oil and gas � get to new markets at a much fairer price.

And we have a plan to once again begin investing a portion of our resource revenue in the Heritage Fund � the first time that will have happened in over 25 years.

Our government was elected to keep building Alberta - to focus our spending on the priorities that you told me were important. And that is exactly what we''ll do.

I look forward to continuing our conversation directly with you in the weeks ahead. We will listen and we will act.

- Premier Alison Redford

If you missed the Premier''s televised address, you can see it here:�

�

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Report from the Legislature - Calgary Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 MST
Consumers cautioned to avoid importing or buying water-damaged vehicles from Hurricane Sandy

The Alberta government and the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) caution Albertans to do research before importing or buying a new or used vehicle from the United States. With reports of more than 230,000 vehicles damaged by flooding during Hurricane Sandy, it's possible that unscrupulous sellers and brokers may try to unload them on unsuspecting consumers.

Consumers can check Transport Canada's website at http://www.tc.gc.ca/ for a list of eligible vehicles that can be imported. Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles' website http://www.riv.ca/ includes comprehensive information on fees, forms, and federal inspection requirements. Consumers can build their own importation checklist.
Buyers can research the title history of a U.S. vehicle by:

checking the U.S. National Vehicle Title Information System http://www.vehiclehistory.gov/ for title fraud involving the vehicle;
checking the Canadian Police Information Centre website http://www.cpic-cipc.ca/ for Canadian stolen vehicle information; and
purchasing a CarProof or CARFAX vehicle history report for information on prior registrations and insurance claims.

Vehicles brought into Alberta must pass an out-of-province inspection at a licensed inspection facility. During the inspection, a licensed technician will check the vehicle to ensure it meets Alberta Transportation's inspection standards. Alberta Transportation provides an online tool to help consumers locate a licensed inspection facility at http://www2.infratrans.gov.ab.ca/vis/production/vishome.asp.

If there is evidence the vehicle was submerged in water at or above the bottom of the dash, the vehicle will be considered non-repairable and it cannot be licensed in the province.

When buying a recently imported vehicle from a private seller or broker in Alberta, consumers should be aware that 'non-repairable' or 'parts only' vehicles can take time to appear on insurance and registration documents. During this time, a dishonest seller could attempt to sell the vehicle for a bargain price or move it to another jurisdiction. A buyer may only learn months later that another jurisdiction identified the vehicle as non-repairable.

For more information on buying and selling vehicles in Alberta, visit the AMVIC website at www.amvic.org. For more information on vehicle registration services, visit Service Alberta's website at www.servicealberta.ca.

ERCB improves public access to hydraulic fracturing fluid information: FracFocus.ca coming soon to Alberta

Albertans will soon have online access to information on the fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations through the FracFocus website (http://www.fracfocus.ca/).

The Energy Resources Conservation Board's (ERCB) Directive 059: Well Drilling and Completion Data Filing Requirements has been updated to enhance reporting requirements for fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations. These changes support the ERCB's commitment to the open disclosure of fracture fluids and align with the Government of Alberta's focus on improved transparency in support of responsible development.

The enhanced reporting requirement is effective as of Dec. 31, 2012, and will be mandatory for all hydraulic fracturing operations going forward. Albertans will begin to see increasing amounts of information on FracFocus by summer of 2013 as data from newly drilled and completed wells is reported under the new reporting rules.

As with all of its regulations, the ERCB will regularly review the directive to ensure it continues to meet its objectives. For a copy of Directive 059, visit http://www.ercb.ca/.

FracFocus.ca has been implemented by the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission to facilitate the disclosure of hydraulic fracturing fluid information in Canadian jurisdictions. Adoption of the site supports Alberta's participation in the New West Partnership. FracFocus.ca is based on FracFocus.org, a site developed in the United States by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and Groundwater Protection Council.

The ERCB is Alberta's primary energy regulator. For almost 75 years, the ERCB has been committed to its mission: to ensure the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's energy resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest. In assessing public interest, the ERCB has regard for public safety, environmental stewardship, and resource conservation.

Report from the Legislature - Capital Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 MST
ERCB improves public access to hydraulic fracturing fluid information: FracFocus.ca coming soon to Alberta
Albertans will soon have online access to information on the fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations through the FracFocus website (http://www.fracfocus.ca/).

The Energy Resources Conservation Board's (ERCB) Directive 059: Well Drilling and Completion Data Filing Requirements has been updated to enhance reporting requirements for fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations. These changes support the ERCB's commitment to the open disclosure of fracture fluids and align with the Government of Alberta's focus on improved transparency in support of responsible development.

The enhanced reporting requirements is effective as of Dec. 31, 2012, and will be mandatory for all hydraulic fracturing operations going forward. Albertans will begin to see increasing amounts of information on FracFocus by summer of 2013 as data from newly drilled and completed wells is reported under the new reporting rules.

As with all of its regulations, the ERCB will regularly review the directive to ensure it continues to meet its objectives. For a copy of Directive 059, visit www.ercb.ca.

FracFocus.ca has been implemented by the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission to facilitate the disclosure of hydraulic fracturing fluid information in Canadian jurisdictions. Adoption of the site supports Alberta's participation in the New West Partnership. FracFocus.ca is based on FracFocus.org, a site developed in the United States by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and Groundwater Protection Council.

The ERCB is Alberta's primary energy regulator. For almost 75 years, the ERCB has been committed to its mission: to ensure the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's energy resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest. In assessing public interest, the ERCB has regard for public safety, environmental stewardship, and resource conservation.

Consumers cautioned to avoid importing or buying water-damaged vehicles from Hurricane Sandy

The Alberta government and the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) caution Albertans to do research before importing or buying a new or used vehicle from the United States. With reports of more than 230,000 vehicles damaged by flooding during Hurricane Sandy, it's possible that unscrupulous sellers and brokers may try to unload them on unsuspecting consumers.

Consumers can check Transport Canada's website at http://www.tc.gc.ca/ for a list of eligible vehicles that can be imported. Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles' website http://www.riv.ca/ includes comprehensive information on fees, forms, and federal inspection requirements. Consumers can build their own importation checklist.

Buyers can research the title history of a U.S. vehicle by:

checking the U.S. National Vehicle Title Information System www.vehiclehistory.gov for title fraud involving the vehicle;
checking the Canadian Police Information Centre website www.cpic-cipc.ca for Canadian stolen vehicle information; and
purchasing a CarProof or CARFAX vehicle history report for information on prior registrations and insurance claims.

Vehicles brought into Alberta must pass an out-of-province inspection at a licensed inspection facility. During the inspection, a licensed technician will check the vehicle to ensure it meets Alberta Transportation's inspection standards. Alberta Transportation provides an online tool to help consumers locate a licensed inspection facility at http://www2.infratrans.gov.ab.ca/vis/production/vishome.asp.

If there is evidence the vehicle was submerged in water at or above the bottom of the dash, the vehicle will be considered non-repairable and it cannot be licensed in the province.

When buying a recently imported vehicle from a private seller or broker in Alberta, consumers should be aware that 'non-repairable' or 'parts only' vehicles can take time to appear on insurance and registration documents. During this time, a dishonest seller could attempt to sell the vehicle for a bargain price or move it to another jurisdiction. A buyer may only learn months later that another jurisdiction identified the vehicle as non-repairable.

For more information on buying and selling vehicles in Alberta, visit the AMVIC website at www.amvic.org. For more information on vehicle registration services, visit Service Alberta's website at www.servicealberta.ca.

Report from the Legislature - Rural Central and Southern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 MST

ERCB releases investigation report on hydraulic fracturing incident near Grande Prairie

The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has issued its investigation report that includes details of a High-Risk Enforcement Action against Crew Energy Ltd. for a hydraulic fracturing incident that occurred near Grande Prairie on Sept. 21, 2011.

The ERCB investigation concludes that Crew Energy improperly perforated and hydraulically fractured at a shallow depth. In issuing high risk enforcement the ERCB noted the following regulatory noncompliances:

Failure to use only non-toxic fracture fluids above the base of groundwater protection; and
Failure to recognize and properly assess a number of issues that led to the perforation and fracturing above the base of groundwater protection.

As a result of enforcement action being taken, the ERCB required the company to develop and implement a corrective action plan that details measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The ERCB is currently auditing the company's action plan.

Additionally, Crew is required to provide all analysis from its Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development directed groundwater monitoring program to the ERCB.

Incidents of this nature are very rare. More than 171,000 oil and gas wells have been hydraulically fractured in Alberta since the 1950s. In recent years, more than 4,000 multi-stage hydraulic fracturing operations have been conducted in Alberta.

This news release and the investigation report are available on the ERCB Web site at http://www.ercb.ca/.

ERCB improves public access to hydraulic fracturing fluid information FracFocus.ca coming soon to Alberta

Albertans will soon have online access to information on the fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations through the FracFocus website (http://www.fracfocus.ca/).

The Energy Resources Conservation Board's (ERCB) Directive 059: Well Drilling and Completion Data Filing Requirements has been updated to enhance reporting requirements for fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations. These changes support the ERCB's commitment to the open disclosure of fracture fluids and align with the Government of Alberta's focus on improved transparency in support of responsible development.

The enhanced reporting requirements will came into effect on Dec. 31, 2012, and will be mandatory for all hydraulic fracturing operations going forward. Albertans will begin to see increasing amounts of information on FracFocus by summer of 2013 as data from newly drilled and completed wells is reported under the new reporting rules.

As with all of its regulations, the ERCB will regularly review the directive to ensure it continues to meet its objectives. For a copy of Directive 059, visit http://www.ercb.ca/.

FracFocus.ca has been implemented by the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission to facilitate the disclosure of hydraulic fracturing fluid information in Canadian jurisdictions. Adoption of the site supports Alberta's participation in the New West Partnership. FracFocus.ca is based on FracFocus.org, a site developed in the United States by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and Groundwater Protection Council.

The ERCB is Alberta's primary energy regulator. For almost 75 years, the ERCB has been committed to its mission: to ensure the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's energy resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest. In assessing public interest, the ERCB has regard for public safety, environmental stewardship, and resource conservation.

Spread joy, not germs: stay healthy this holiday season

'Tis the season of celebratory gatherings and not-so-joyful germs. With seasonal illness circulating, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is reminding Albertans of routine precautions to protect health and prevent illness now, and in the weeks and months ahead.

Get immunized: Immunization is the single most effective means of preventing influenza. More than 200 cases of influenza have already been confirmed in Alberta this season and the viruses continue to circulate. The good news? It's not too late to be immunized. All Albertans (six months of age and older) are still eligible to receive the immunization, free of charge. Remember, it takes up to two weeks after receiving the influenza vaccine to be protected against influenza, so check out your local clinic schedules today at www.albertahealthservices.ca/influenza.asp or call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465 (LINK).

Cover your cough: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your arm, not into your hands. Throw away tissues after wiping your nose or covering a cough.

Clean your hands: Using soap and warm water, wash your hands thoroughly and often, including after coughing, sneezing, using tissues or the washroom. Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Alcohol-based hand rub or sanitizer can also be helpful if hands are not visibly soiled.

Stay home if you are sick: Individuals experiencing symptoms of illness, including fever, cough, diarrhea and/or vomiting, should stay home from work, school, daycare or any social function. If you, or anyone in your household, is experiencing illness, refrain from visiting family and friends in hospitals, care facilities or seniors lodges.

Mind your food prep: If you are ill, do not prepare food for anyone until fully recovered. As always, safe food handling practices are essential for serving festive - and safe - holiday feasts.

Around the house: Keep household surfaces clean, regularly using a household cleaner (follow directions on the product label). Think creatively when hosting gatherings: put a bow on a hand sanitizer pump and leave it out for guests to use; offer pre-wrapped candies or snacks instead of bowls of loose candies or snacks. Always thank others for declining invites due to illness.

Year-round: In addition to the above, keep your immune system in good health by covering the basics: get enough rest, try to eat a balanced diet including at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day, and exercise regularly. Finally, if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation and do not ever drink and drive.

For more information on immunization, influenza and other illnesses, visit http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/ or http://www.myhealth.alberta.ca/, or call Health Link Alberta, toll-free at 1-866-408-5465 (LINK).

At this time of year, it is also important to think about your health care options. Do your part to protect yourself, your family and your friends by accessing the most appropriate type of care for your symptoms. By using the right resources at the right time, we can all help improve our health care system. Remember the Emergency Department is for emergencies.

Visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/options to find out more about health care and treatment option for your needs.

Report from the Legislature - Northern Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 MST
ERCB improves public access to hydraulic fracturing fluid information: FracFocus.ca coming soon to Alberta
Albertans will soon have online access to information on the fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations through the FracFocus website (www.fracfocus.ca).

The Energy Resources Conservation Board's (ERCB) Directive 059: Well Drilling and Completion Data Filing Requirements has been updated to enhance reporting requirements for fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations. These changes support the ERCB's commitment to the open disclosure of fracture fluids and align with the Government of Alberta's focus on improved transparency in support of responsible development.

The enhanced reporting requirements will be effective as of Dec. 31, 2012, and will be mandatory for all hydraulic fracturing operations going forward. Albertans will begin to see increasing amounts of information on FracFocus by summer of 2013 as data from newly drilled and completed wells is reported under the new reporting rules.

As with all of its regulations, the ERCB will regularly review the directive to ensure it continues to meet its objectives. For a copy of Directive 059, visit www.ercb.ca.

FracFocus.ca has been implemented by the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission to facilitate the disclosure of hydraulic fracturing fluid information in Canadian jurisdictions. Adoption of the site supports Alberta's participation in the New West Partnership. FracFocus.ca is based on FracFocus.org, a site developed in the United States by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and Groundwater Protection Council.

The ERCB is Alberta's primary energy regulator. For almost 75 years, the ERCB has been committed to its mission: to ensure the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's energy resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest. In assessing public interest, the ERCB has regard for public safety, environmental stewardship, and resource conservation.

Oil Sands Discovery Centre presents Amazing Astronomy special exhibit in January

The Oil Sands Discovery Centre will offer an out-of-this-world experience throughout January. A mobile planetarium will be set up in the centre's multi-purpose room so visitors can observe and learn about the beauty and mystery of the night sky.

On Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays throughout January, there will be drop-in astronomy shows inside the planetarium's inflatable dome. An astronomy-themed Discovery Lab, featuring fun, hands-on activities and experiments for the entire family, will also be offered Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays.

All planetarium shows and Discovery Lab programs are free with admission. As space is limited, visitors should arrive early. For more information on the Amazing Astronomy exhibit or the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, visit http://www.oilsandsdiscovery.com/ or call 780-743-7167 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access in Alberta).

Operated by Alberta Culture, the Oil Sands Discovery Centre is located at the junction of Highway 63 and MacKenzie Boulevard in Fort McMurray.

The Oil Sands Discovery Centre is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. It is closed Monday. Admission is $7 for adults, $20 for a family (two adults and their children ages 7 to 17), $5 for seniors and $4 for youth (ages 7 to 17). Children six and under are admitted free.

Visit culture.alberta.ca for information on all of Alberta's provincial historic sites and museums.

Earth scraper on Fort McMurray road construction site exposes marine reptile fossil

Royal Tyrrell Museum staff recently collected the remains of a large marine reptile estimated to be 110 to 114 million years old. The specimen was discovered during a road construction project near Fort McMurray.

When an earth scraper exposed fossil bones, they were examined by an expert from Aeon Paleontological Consulting Ltd., who was on site in accordance with Alberta's Historical Resources Act. Flatiron Construction, the project contractor for Alberta Transportation, constructed a wooden frame and tarp structure around the fossil so the ground could be thawed for excavation.

Dr. Donald Henderson led a Royal Tyrrell Museum crew to Fort McMurray on December 10 to examine and collect the specimen. It was found to be a nearly complete long-necked plesiosaur. Plesiosaurs lived in the sea that covered most of Alberta during the Cretaceous Period.

While conditions inside the structure were comfortable during the seven-day process, temperatures of -35 C with wind chill made loading the fossil onto a truck a challenge. The fossil was transported to the Royal Tyrrell Museum for preparation and study.

Although the skull and one flipper are missing, the rest of the skeleton is complete, including the tail. The body measures approximately one metre wide with flippers extending about one metre to each side. It is the fourth plesiosaur found in the Fort McMurray area over the last three years.

Owned and operated by Alberta Culture, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is located six kilometres northwest of Drumheller on Highway 838. Open year round. For more information visit http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/ or call 403-823-7707 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access within Alberta).

Visit http://www.culture.alberta.ca/ for more information on all of Alberta's historic sites and museums.

Jason Luan's Member's Statement - After 41 Years

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:00:00 MST
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Report from the Legislature - Calgary Region

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 MST

Calgary tailgate party to kick-off Alberta Culture Days

Alberta's vibrant culture will take centre stage across the province during Alberta Culture days, Sept. 28 to 30. Albertans will be able to choose from hundreds of free, interactive events and activities as communities participate in the largest celebration of Alberta's arts, heritage, and cultural diversity.

To launch the weekend's celebrations this year, the Government of Alberta is proud to be partnering with local businesses and artists to host Alberta Culture Days kick-off events in Calgary and Edmonton on Friday, Sept. 28. The Calgary event runs from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m at McMahon Stadium, prior to the game between the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos. Special guests will include Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, The Collective with Calgary Youth Chorus, Kukegai Lion Dance Team, and break dancers Grim Reminder. The event is free; no game ticket is required.

Many of Alberta's provincially owned historic sites and museums throughout the province will be offering free admission and special programming for each of the three days. In Calgary and southern Alberta, join Culture Day activities at:

Remington Carriage Museum

Lougheed House

Royal Tyrrell Museum

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Frank Slide Interpretive Centre

Alberta Culture Days programming will also be offered at the Northern and Southern Jubilee Auditoria.

Previously known as Alberta Arts Days, Alberta Culture Days is in its fifth year. Community groups and local organizations across Alberta show their support for culture by hosting events or activities. In 2011, 93 Alberta communities hosted 1,046 activities.

AlbertaCultureDays.ca provides resources to assist event organizers and features the Alberta Culture Calendar, which lists Alberta Culture Days events throughout the province. Organizers are asked to register events on the calendar; Albertans are encouraged to check the site often for new events in their communities.

Government ensures new developments will not be built on abandoned oil and gas well sites

The Alberta government will soon require all future developments in the province to be a minimum of five meters away from abandoned oil and gas wells. Since 1996, municipalities and developers have been encouraged to check and accommodate for abandoned wells before beginning new developments. These changes will make the practice mandatory.

The new requirements will apply to all new subdivision applications and development permits for new buildings larger than 47 square meters (500 square feet) or additions that make a building larger than 47 square meters. Additions to or replacement of existing buildings will be required to comply with the setbacks.

As of Nov. 1, 2012, the amended Subdivision and Development Regulation will require subdivision and development permit applications to include information about whether abandoned wells are present within the subdivision or development and the development is a minimum of five meters away from any well. An abandoned well is an inactive oil or gas well that is permanently shut down and cut off one to two meters below the surface, in accordance with regulatory requirements set out by the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB Directive 20).

Those applying for subdivision or development approval can contact the Energy Resources Conservation Board at 1-855-297-8311 or visit www.ercb.ca to confirm whether there are any capped wells on their property.

Research could help personalize treatment for depression

A new pilot project at Foothills Medical Centre and the University of Calgary could one day help people with major depression get well sooner.

Although doctors have more than a dozen anti-depressants they can prescribe, it's difficult to predict which will be the most effective for any given individual. Finding the optimal medication can sometimes mean months of trial and error with little relief for the affected person.

In the study, patients with major depression will receive a Health Canada-approved antiand#8209;depressant for an eight-week period. Researchers will then analyze blood and urine samples to identify potential biomarkers. A biomarker is a biological feature, such as a gene or a protein, that can be measured to determine the state of a disease or treatment response in a person.

Patients will also undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan so researchers can learn more about how brain structure and function may be affected by depression and subsequently by medication. Researchers will also interview patients regularly to determine the effectiveness of the medication.

If, at the end of the eight-week treatment period, patients report no improvement, they'll be prescribed an additional medication for a further eight weeks. A healthy control group, which will not receive treatment of any kind, will undergo the same assessments.

At the conclusion of the study, researchers will analyze the data to see if they can identify any features that best predict treatment outcomes.

The pilot study is part of a larger project, known as the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network for Depression (CAN-BIND). The initial target enrolment, which is expected to grow, is 15 patients and seven control participants at Foothills Medical Centre and the University of Calgary, and about the same number of patients and controls from five other sites across Canada, including the University of Toronto, where the study is headquartered.
To take part in the CAN-BIND research study in Calgary, contact Dr. Stefanie Hassel at 403-210-6353.

Premier Redford fondly remembers Premier Lougheed

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 MST

Canada and Alberta take action to implement world class monitoring system for the oil sands

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 MST
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Your Alberta News - December 2011 Review

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 MST
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Premier Redford's State of Alberta Address

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 MST

Good afternoon Mr. Speaker, ministers, Honourable members of the Legislative Assembly and Albertans. It is an honour to stand before you today for the first time as Alberta's Premier.

I am so proud of our home, a great province that is doubly blessed. We have an astounding wealth of resources, more than enough to sustain our families and crown our communities. And we have an extraordinary natural heritage, timelessly beautiful landscapes that stir the soul and linger in the mind's eye.

Albertans understand that we have the best of both worlds; this is why we take such a fierce pride in our province. I know that for each of us, and for generations yet to come, we can leave Alberta better than we found it.

I requested that the Legislative Assembly's ordinary business be adjourned in order to speak to Albertans. I believe it is important to keep them informed about their government's plans for Alberta's future in the face of ongoing global economic difficulties. This is not just about the need to build prosperity. It's about anticipating our province's needs amid great uncertainty in the world around us.

This government has two basic responsibilities: We must shield Alberta from the hazards of the challenging times in which we live, and we must help the province adapt to make the most of the opportunities these same challenges offer, rising where others falter.

We must keep the economy free and unfettered. We must maintain steady job growth and provide Albertans with the opportunities they expect. We must offer high quality and far-reaching public services. And we must preserve the province's finances.

We must define where we are, where we are going and where we want to be in a fast-changing, unpredictable world.

With this government's guidance, we will work together to strengthen Alberta and prepare it to overcome every obstacle. Today, I want to explain what we are doing about our place in the world in light of these circumstances.

I also want to explain this government's stance so you can understand what we have set out to do and why.

Understanding is the key to effective cooperation and only close collaboration in this Assembly will see Alberta safely through. We need a session built on thoughtful legislation and constructive debate, one that creates sensible solutions to improve Alberta's quality of life. The decisions we make together now will shape the province for a long time to come.

Setting the Scene

We have all heard of the crises in Europe. Debt is the trap that has caught so many struggling governments. Debt has proven the death of countless dreams.

Many European countries are struggling with debt burdens that, in some cases, exceed 100 percent of GDP.

Those unfortunate nations spent too much and took in too little. Now, they are faced with hard choices: Raise taxes and kill jobs, cut spending and devastate the social safety net or both. Their citizens are paying the price. The homes they loved have changed beyond all recognition.

Alberta has no net debt. We have $5,700 in assets per person and the highest credit rating available.

We have the lowest overall taxes in Canada. We have disciplined spending priorities and no long-term debt.

We are blessed with a strong economy built on a powerful industrial base and a young population. We have one of the greatest energy sectors in the world. We are better off than many other places and we have a future anyone else would envy, one this government will work to make better still.

But we can't take this for granted. Good fortune will not fall into our laps because we ask for it. We have to earn it. We can stay safe from these threats. This government will protect and strengthen our province; we will make it better.

We will make the tough decisions; we will spend wisely and save intelligently, managing our finances to protect future Albertans from debt; we will introduce the necessary reforms to keep this province growing. There is no other way.

It is normal to want the good times to last forever. And it is natural to hope that larger jurisdictions will get things back on track. This is the sort of thinking we must avoid, because in this day and age, we are defined not by our hopes and wants, but by our actions.

To prosper, we must seize opportunity wherever we find it. We must open up new avenues of growth. We can become the lead driver of North America's economy. The United States is and will remain our biggest customer, but their recovery is slow. They are struggling with crushing debt and political divisions.

We must search for new partners in foreign markets. Our prosperity depends on our ability to promote Alberta on the world stage.

We must be bold. If we do this right, we can become the world's preferred supplier in food, energy and innovation, and realize the incredible future that comes with this status.

But above all, we must be disciplined, watching closely and working together to insulate Alberta from harm.

Help When You Need It

Our success, at home and abroad, is ultimately driven by people. This government will make maintaining Alberta's quality of life its highest priority. We will continue to help Albertans excel, because a strong economy depends on stronger people. And strong people depend on essential services that keep up with their needs.

This means supporting a strong social network to protect our most vulnerable. We are committed to maintaining programs and services for vulnerable Albertans while ensuring long-term program sustainability.

Non-profits have a major role to play. Albertans are passionate volunteers and my government will support them in their efforts to reach out to those who need it most, especially during difficult economic times. Over the past four years, the government has devoted nearly $300 million to help non-profits with capital and operating costs.

Through the Community Spirit Program, the government offers tax credits and matching donations to encourage private philanthropy. Since 2008, eligible non-profits have divided $52.9 million in donation grants.

We are changing lives. In February 2009, the Strathmore branch of the Foothills Advocacy in Motion Society opened. It has since helped Albertans with developmental disabilities find and maintain full or part-time employment. That's nine more Albertans who have enriched their communities and their own lives through fulfilling jobs and personal independence.

This government will continue to support and work with our non-profit organizations to assist them in long term budget planning by providing more stable multi-year granting opportunities, and more predictable accountability requirements for the government grants they receive. We will encourage our non-profits to look for ways to increase salaries for their staff and make them comparable to those in the public sector. This will attract quality staff and make them easier to retain.

We will increase the employment income exemptions for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) clients to encourage persons with disabilities to work to the extent that they are able.

Albertans told me through the recent campaign that the future of our health care system is their number one priority. As Premier, I share this view of Albertans and we will be introducing a series of initiatives in the coming months that reflect this importance and the need to make our system among the very best in the world - without commercializing it or comprising our values.

Innovation is already under way. Since last year, the government has been funding a new procedure called Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) at Foothills Hospital, which sees critically ill Albertans suffering from faulty heart valves get replacements made from cow tissue. Recuperation time is half that of conventional open-heart surgery. Patients too sick for open-heart surgery have received a new lease on life.

To help northern Albertans in rural communities get cutting-edge cardiac care, this government is funding digital stethoscopes. Albertans can now consult with specialists at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute through secure video links even as the digital stethoscope streams their vitals in real time.

Our province has the means to provide Albertans with the care they need, when they need it.

By putting health care on a five-year budget plan, we have allowed institutions to plan for the future with confidence, making the best use of their available resources.

We will get patients the treatment they need, fast and efficiently. And we will provide them with regular and honest updates, so they will know how the system is working for them.

We will invest in the health infrastructure needed to keep all Albertans healthy, happy and productive. We will establish family care clinics in communities across the province. Each clinic will be staffed by multidisciplinary teams of health-care professionals who will ease doctors' workloads. No matter what your schedule is like, no matter how busy your kids are, your family will get the care it needs.

Seniors are among those who most need the government's support. This government will remove the cap on seniors' housing costs and work with the home building industry to provide seniors with the spaces they need in assisted living and continuing care facilities, ending the bed shortage. Seniors will be able to choose from a wide variety of safe, comfortable accommodations that suit their incomes, lifestyles and family structures. Couples that have loved and depended on each other for decades will no longer be split up. To get things started, this government will add 1,000 new continuing care beds to the system through public-private partnerships.

Allowing private industry to meet seniors' needs will create more jobs in many different sectors and steady growth for our economy.

To help seniors who are able to live independently, we will provide increased funding for home care, saving them from stressful trips to the hospital.

Through income supplement, housing, and home care, Alberta's seniors will have access to a range of affordable housing options that address their housing and health needs as they age. Quota systems for low and middle-income seniors will guarantee them access to the continuing care system, ensuring they have the comfortable and dignified accommodations they deserve. Our government will do its best to ensure all seniors stay happier and healthier for longer in their final years.

A Smarter Future

Keeping Alberta strong involves investing in our engine of innovation - people. World-class output requires world-class input. Our economy depends on intelligent, capable and productive people. Albertans are already gifted in these areas.

We have a labour pool over two million strong, with 64 percent of all workers 25 and up reporting post-secondary credentials. And despite having only 11 percent of Canada's labour force, we train 20 percent of its apprentices. Alberta's workers are young, well-educated and highly motivated.

We have great foundations that our government will build on. There is no better investment of public funds than in learning.

Without a skilled and highly educated workforce, we will not attract the cutting-edge companies to carry out research and development, much less the finest minds to lead it.

We need outstanding schools and post-secondary institutions. And that means we need the most committed teachers and a flexible curriculum suited to every our diverse students' needs. We need an inclusive system, one that lets students from Alberta's rainbow of ethnic communities get the attention and resources they need to excel in their adopted home.

By restoring $107 million in funding, we have taken a first step toward reducing class sizes and restoring quality education. Now, it is time to start sprinting.

We will provide students with increased opportunities for apprenticeships to alleviate shortages in the trades and get teens started on the path to success and stability early.

We will put the entire education system on a three-year funding plan, ending uncertainty over budgets and providing schools with the resources they need to meet demand from a growing population.

Our Government is committed to strengthening our universities and post-secondary institutions - through the creation of new initiatives that will attract the world's best scholars, researchers, teachers and innovators to this province - who stay in Alberta and train and educate our future generations who in turn will build and grow our knowledge based industries and professions and lead new discoveries.

To enhance our leadership role further, this government will negotiate externships - competitive placements for talented young Albertans with energy-focused organizations around the globe. This will help recent grads jumpstart their careers and put Albertans at the forefront of innovation in every aspect of energy from compliance and monitoring to research and development.

I will be announcing more about these initiatives in the coming months.

And we will ensure that all Albertans have the skills and experience to take part in the economy. We will expand recruitment of students in rural areas and among Mandeacute;tis and First Nations communities. Once enrolled in post-secondary institutions, we will make sure they can access the mentorship and support programs they need to excel.

The most enduring prosperity is spread as widely as possible. This government will make sure that every Albertan in every corner of our province has the chance to contribute. We will invest in Albertans, in their sense of discovery, their entrepreneurial spirit and their dreams. We will pass these qualities on to our children, so they can make their futures even brighter.

Energy and Environment

Much of the revenue we use to keep our public services running comes from the energy sector.

Alberta plays host to one of the most innovative and responsible energy sectors on Earth. It remains a critical part of our economy, one that can make life better for all Albertans. It supports countless additional industries and maintains hundreds of thousands of jobs, with the potential to add even more. Future projects announced for the oil sands amount to $112 billion and production is slated to increase to 3.5 million barrels per day by 2020.

But with our great blessings comes the responsibility to properly manage them. Our environment must be protected. Albertans have a deep respect for nature and they have the right to be able to enjoy the natural beauties of their home, pristine and unspoiled. We expect to live and raise our families in healthy conditions. Future Albertans are counting on us to keep the province's incredible biodiversity intact.

This government will. Together with our industry partners, we are moving beyond monitoring to Cumulative Effects Management, a holistic approach that considers the combined impacts of existing and proposed developments on all aspects of the environment.

And when it comes to our most precious resource of all, we are going still further. The addition of water into the official title of the Environment Ministry is more than cosmetic.

Through groundwater mapping, this government is developing a better understanding of water resources across the province, so we can make better water management decisions for every region.

We are using the Water for Life strategy and working with land-use planners, watershed councils and environmental groups across the province to develop best practices - to increase conservation, educate Albertans and manage our most precious resource today, tomorrow and for future generations.

We will accomplish this while keeping the energy sector in full bloom, partnering with the sector to find solutions to reduce its footprint.

Alberta's success also requires the industry to sustainably expand. Market diversification is critical to our long-term prosperity. Global demand for energy is growing, our production is rising and new customers are within our reach. We have to connect with them.

Over 99 percent of our crude exports go to the United States, but we can find more outlets. This government will support the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline to Canada's west coast, opening up Asia to our oil and bringing enormous benefits to Alberta's economy.

China is already our second-largest export market and they, along with many neighbours, are rapidly modernizing. This government will reach out to potential Asian partners and guarantee Alberta's prosperity for decades to come.

The super-economies of the 21st century will be those that can strategically align themselves with Asia.

Alberta has a great interest in forging stronger economic links to countries like China, India and Japan.

Asia is a lucrative market of 4 billion people, and we're one of many jurisdictions competing for market share in the Far East.

How important is the Asian market? When taken together, China, Japan, Korea and India are Alberta's second largest export market accounting for about $8 billion in 2010. Alberta's trade with China alone has tripled since 2003.

Infrastructure improvements to ports and rails, new pipelines for bitumen and natural gas - these will help us to export more agri-food and forest products, and open new markets for energy products.

Another key is Alberta's relationships with Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The New West Partnership between the three provinces allows us to market our part of Canada as one large economic trading block. Last fall, the three westernmost provinces signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on issues such as seeking new investment and new markets, especially in Asia.

Food for the World

The world's population is growing and demand for our agricultural commodities is only going to grow with it. This government will work to make Alberta a dominant global supplier in an increasingly hungry world.

We must raise yields sustainably, be leaders in research, turn provincial producers into preferred global suppliers and strengthen Alberta's ability to compete with the best in the world. Our government will provide Alberta-based producers with the financing, guidance and diplomatic support to make all this happen.

Markets are already opening up to us. In June 2010, the federal government signed off on a cooperative agreement with China that allows expanded access to Chinese markets for Canadian beef and beef products.

Other high-priority markets include the United States, Japan, Mexico, India and the Middle East. Our government will do everything possible to open doors further, maximizing market access for Alberta-based producers. Agriculture and Rural Development is cooperating with the federal government and Alberta's Ministry for Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Affairs to nurture relationships with foreign customers through executive and political missions.

This government will provide incentives to help producers excel. We have already made an excellent start.

Since 2009, the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, ALMA, has provided almost $80 million to support industry projects, with a projected value of more than $249 million.

We will continue to support the Growing Forward initiative, a partnership with Ottawa that aims to address provincial agriculture and agribusiness by investing $273 million in the industry. This initiative has allowed Alberta to become the only province in Canada offering programs for livestock welfare, automation, lean manufacturing and market development.

And we will not overlook the market here at home. Growing local demand for Alberta-based agricultural products is the key to building new businesses, resulting in increased investment, employment and manufacturing capacity in the province.

Our government will continue to back the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, a reliable source of capital for agribusiness ventures considered too risky by private sector lenders.

Through the Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator in Leduc, we will continue to provide agrifood entrepreneurs with the business guidance and assistance they need to grow their enterprises and stay viable.

This government will go to the wall for Alberta's agricultural sector and ensure our farmers are the best in the world.

Better Business

This past June, 22,000 new jobs were created in Alberta, more than in the entire United States. The reason Alberta has been so successful is because it has maintained a business-friendly environment, thanks to public investment and firm support for entrepreneurs.

Over the past two decades, Alberta has topped the country in average economic growth and is poised to regain the top spot by 2012. At the same time, we continue to lead Canada in per-capita investment at almost twice the national average.

Government is investing in this province, using savings from the good times and taking advantage of a competitive market in bad times to deliver the infrastructure critical to Alberta's growth.

We are investing $17.6 billion to 2014, keeping over 70,000 Albertans employed during the downturn and retaining skilled workers who will needed in the years ahead.

Quality infrastructure in every community is helping local businesses grow and create jobs. And private sector job creation is the major contributor to Albertans' quality of life.

Alberta has the largest number of small businesses per capita in Canada. They have an impact on our province completely out of proportion to their size. They contribute almost a third of our GDP, provide 37 percent of private sector jobs and make up 96 percent of all businesses in the province.

Small businesses build and maintain our communities, produce our basic commodities and pour their passion into making our lives easier every day.

More than any other sector, small businesses are the glue that holds Alberta together. And this government will never hesitate to defend their interests.

About 700 full-time jobs are supported by organizations receiving funding through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA). And support through the AFA helps ensure that our artists and cultural industries continue to have access to quality content as this sector grows.

More than $246 million was spent in Alberta over the last three years as a result of film and TV productions supported by the Alberta Multimedia Development Fund. Alberta's film industry employs roughly 3,000 Albertans in supporting industries and has amassed 56 Oscar and 92 Emmy nominations since 1948.

Small businesses do more than add to our net worth, they nurture our cultural and artistic diversity, boost tourism and promote our values.

This should come as no surprise because small business owners reflect Alberta's deepest values. They are independent-minded, courageous individuals, each with a unique vision of their respective enterprises which, taken together, make up a major part of our economy.

Entrepreneurship is one of our core values and this government will promote it. We will establish a taskforce charged with finding ways to slash red tape and reduce the regulatory burden that constrains small business owners. This group will have a firm deadline and when this government has received its final report, it will put the taskforce's recommendations into action.

Anti-business protests are attracting a lot of attention in the media right now, but they hide a basic fact: Our wealth and freedom depend on the individual right to free enterprise.

From Jade Homes in Bow Island, which builds custom homes for shipment across the province and supports a local network of contractors, to the award-winning Birds and Bees Organic Winery in Two Hills, small businesses are an integral part of Alberta's economic landscape. They make a difference every day, growing our economy in new and exciting ways. It is time the government got out of their way and gave them room to spread their wings.

Finances for the Future

But all our plans for a stronger Alberta must come back to finance. A healthy treasury is at the heart of any strong economy.

And Albertans must have a say in these plans. They must understand the government's spending priorities and have a voice in shaping them.

Our government will consult with Albertans in November through public roundtables with ministers followed by a public survey and requests for submissions. We will use the resulting feedback as we prepare our budget for 2012 so it reflects Albertans' priorities.

Let us be clear: we have some tough decisions ahead, but Albertans have the intellect, fortitude, the intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit to make the decisions that are right for the times and right for them.

We must make better use of the funds we have. And we must grow our economy and our revenue base without job-killing taxes or legislation. Albertans themselves are best equipped to guarantee this province's prosperity. The government's job is to create the conditions to let them do so, and then get out of the way. Albertans expect no less from us.

This means no provincial sales tax. And as little public interference as possible in Albertans' rights to earn a living, start a business and make a profit.

Sound financial habits also involve sensible budgeting. We must spend smarter and avoid the path of least resistance. Simplistic solutions and wide-eyed spending promises are not the answer.

Our plans for stable, multi-year budgets for essential public services will bring unprecedented discipline to public spending. Other governments have talked about doing it. We will make it happen.

Department budgets will only grow when there is a clear need and we will conduct regular budgetary reviews to find savings in approved budgets wherever possible. Albertans want government to be more responsible about spending, and we will be. We will treat taxpayers' money with the same respect they do.

The effort to keep spending in check will not stop there.

Albertans expect their government to plan for the future and we will not let them down. We will balance the budget by 2013-14. And we will plan ahead.

To further protect Alberta's finances, we will keep the Sustainability and Heritage Funds topped up. Parents do not leave their children with debt. They invest in their children's future, passing on a responsible legacy that allows their children to live their own lives and realize their own dreams.

We will keep the province's coffers full and its outlook bright no matter what the world economy throws our way.

Albertans will understand where we are going, because they share these same values.

Conclusion

Alberta equals opportunity, and this government must do everything it can to promote this simple fact. We have the means and the resources to make it truer than ever. We have the skills and the abilities. We have what we need. We have the will and we will act.

Alberta has a vibrant economy built on dedicated small businesses and thriving industries. Our government will work with them to grow our prosperity even more.

Alberta has no shortage of incredible people dedicated to do everything they can to make Alberta caring, compassionate and fair. Our government will help them realize that goal.

Our goal is to ensure economic success and a great quality of life for everyone in a province where hard work is rewarded and no one turns a blind eye to want or hardship. Together, we will build a province where world-class, fully funded public services are there when you need them, no matter what you need them for. We will insulate this province from the shocks of the global economy and build the best Alberta possible.

We are already headed in this direction. This government, working together with Albertans, will get us there.

But this is not a partisan project.

Fellow Members of the Legislative Assembly, you sit in this Assembly for one and only one reason: because you believe in Alberta. You want what's best for this province and its people. Every single one of you ran for office on this platform and every single one of you comes to work each and every day knowing you have another chance to make things better for Alberta.

We will always be divided to some extent by our different visions, but in our hearts, we want the same thing. I know that with a little goodwill, we can see past our differences. With a little effort, we can come together for Alberta.

We are incomparably stronger together than apart. We can give Albertans the exceptional government and outstanding public services they expect. We can make Alberta the best place in the world to live, to start a business, to raise a family and to retire. We can ensure Alberta continues to be the best place in the world, period. Together, we can achieve amazing things.

Premier Redford's State of Alberta Address

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 MST

Good afternoon Mr. Speaker, ministers, Honourable members of the Legislative Assembly and Albertans. It is an honour to stand before you today for the first time as Alberta's Premier.

I am so proud of our home, a great province that is doubly blessed. We have an astounding wealth of resources, more than enough to sustain our families and crown our communities. And we have an extraordinary natural heritage, timelessly beautiful landscapes that stir the soul and linger in the mind's eye.

Albertans understand that we have the best of both worlds; this is why we take such a fierce pride in our province. I know that for each of us, and for generations yet to come, we can leave Alberta better than we found it.

I requested that the Legislative Assembly's ordinary business be adjourned in order to speak to Albertans. I believe it is important to keep them informed about their government's plans for Alberta's future in the face of ongoing global economic difficulties. This is not just about the need to build prosperity. It's about anticipating our province's needs amid great uncertainty in the world around us.

This government has two basic responsibilities: We must shield Alberta from the hazards of the challenging times in which we live, and we must help the province adapt to make the most of the opportunities these same challenges offer, rising where others falter.

We must keep the economy free and unfettered. We must maintain steady job growth and provide Albertans with the opportunities they expect. We must offer high quality and far-reaching public services. And we must preserve the province's finances.

We must define where we are, where we are going and where we want to be in a fast-changing, unpredictable world.

With this government's guidance, we will work together to strengthen Alberta and prepare it to overcome every obstacle. Today, I want to explain what we are doing about our place in the world in light of these circumstances.

I also want to explain this government's stance so you can understand what we have set out to do and why.

Understanding is the key to effective cooperation and only close collaboration in this Assembly will see Alberta safely through. We need a session built on thoughtful legislation and constructive debate, one that creates sensible solutions to improve Alberta's quality of life. The decisions we make together now will shape the province for a long time to come.

Setting the Scene

We have all heard of the crises in Europe. Debt is the trap that has caught so many struggling governments. Debt has proven the death of countless dreams.

Many European countries are struggling with debt burdens that, in some cases, exceed 100 percent of GDP.

Those unfortunate nations spent too much and took in too little. Now, they are faced with hard choices: Raise taxes and kill jobs, cut spending and devastate the social safety net or both. Their citizens are paying the price. The homes they loved have changed beyond all recognition.

Alberta has no net debt. We have $5,700 in assets per person and the highest credit rating available.

We have the lowest overall taxes in Canada. We have disciplined spending priorities and no long-term debt.

We are blessed with a strong economy built on a powerful industrial base and a young population. We have one of the greatest energy sectors in the world. We are better off than many other places and we have a future anyone else would envy, one this government will work to make better still.

But we can't take this for granted. Good fortune will not fall into our laps because we ask for it. We have to earn it. We can stay safe from these threats. This government will protect and strengthen our province; we will make it better.

We will make the tough decisions; we will spend wisely and save intelligently, managing our finances to protect future Albertans from debt; we will introduce the necessary reforms to keep this province growing. There is no other way.

It is normal to want the good times to last forever. And it is natural to hope that larger jurisdictions will get things back on track. This is the sort of thinking we must avoid, because in this day and age, we are defined not by our hopes and wants, but by our actions.

To prosper, we must seize opportunity wherever we find it. We must open up new avenues of growth. We can become the lead driver of North America's economy. The United States is and will remain our biggest customer, but their recovery is slow. They are struggling with crushing debt and political divisions.

We must search for new partners in foreign markets. Our prosperity depends on our ability to promote Alberta on the world stage.

We must be bold. If we do this right, we can become the world's preferred supplier in food, energy and innovation, and realize the incredible future that comes with this status.

But above all, we must be disciplined, watching closely and working together to insulate Alberta from harm.

Help When You Need It

Our success, at home and abroad, is ultimately driven by people. This government will make maintaining Alberta's quality of life its highest priority. We will continue to help Albertans excel, because a strong economy depends on stronger people. And strong people depend on essential services that keep up with their needs.

This means supporting a strong social network to protect our most vulnerable. We are committed to maintaining programs and services for vulnerable Albertans while ensuring long-term program sustainability.

Non-profits have a major role to play. Albertans are passionate volunteers and my government will support them in their efforts to reach out to those who need it most, especially during difficult economic times. Over the past four years, the government has devoted nearly $300 million to help non-profits with capital and operating costs.

Through the Community Spirit Program, the government offers tax credits and matching donations to encourage private philanthropy. Since 2008, eligible non-profits have divided $52.9 million in donation grants.

We are changing lives. In February 2009, the Strathmore branch of the Foothills Advocacy in Motion Society opened. It has since helped Albertans with developmental disabilities find and maintain full or part-time employment. That's nine more Albertans who have enriched their communities and their own lives through fulfilling jobs and personal independence.

This government will continue to support and work with our non-profit organizations to assist them in long term budget planning by providing more stable multi-year granting opportunities, and more predictable accountability requirements for the government grants they receive. We will encourage our non-profits to look for ways to increase salaries for their staff and make them comparable to those in the public sector. This will attract quality staff and make them easier to retain.

We will increase the employment income exemptions for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) clients to encourage persons with disabilities to work to the extent that they are able.

Albertans told me through the recent campaign that the future of our health care system is their number one priority. As Premier, I share this view of Albertans and we will be introducing a series of initiatives in the coming months that reflect this importance and the need to make our system among the very best in the world - without commercializing it or comprising our values.

Innovation is already under way. Since last year, the government has been funding a new procedure called Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) at Foothills Hospital, which sees critically ill Albertans suffering from faulty heart valves get replacements made from cow tissue. Recuperation time is half that of conventional open-heart surgery. Patients too sick for open-heart surgery have received a new lease on life.

To help northern Albertans in rural communities get cutting-edge cardiac care, this government is funding digital stethoscopes. Albertans can now consult with specialists at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute through secure video links even as the digital stethoscope streams their vitals in real time.

Our province has the means to provide Albertans with the care they need, when they need it.

By putting health care on a five-year budget plan, we have allowed institutions to plan for the future with confidence, making the best use of their available resources.

We will get patients the treatment they need, fast and efficiently. And we will provide them with regular and honest updates, so they will know how the system is working for them.

We will invest in the health infrastructure needed to keep all Albertans healthy, happy and productive. We will establish family care clinics in communities across the province. Each clinic will be staffed by multidisciplinary teams of health-care professionals who will ease doctors' workloads. No matter what your schedule is like, no matter how busy your kids are, your family will get the care it needs.

Seniors are among those who most need the government's support. This government will remove the cap on seniors' housing costs and work with the home building industry to provide seniors with the spaces they need in assisted living and continuing care facilities, ending the bed shortage. Seniors will be able to choose from a wide variety of safe, comfortable accommodations that suit their incomes, lifestyles and family structures. Couples that have loved and depended on each other for decades will no longer be split up. To get things started, this government will add 1,000 new continuing care beds to the system through public-private partnerships.

Allowing private industry to meet seniors' needs will create more jobs in many different sectors and steady growth for our economy.

To help seniors who are able to live independently, we will provide increased funding for home care, saving them from stressful trips to the hospital.

Through income supplement, housing, and home care, Alberta's seniors will have access to a range of affordable housing options that address their housing and health needs as they age. Quota systems for low and middle-income seniors will guarantee them access to the continuing care system, ensuring they have the comfortable and dignified accommodations they deserve. Our government will do its best to ensure all seniors stay happier and healthier for longer in their final years.

A Smarter Future

Keeping Alberta strong involves investing in our engine of innovation - people. World-class output requires world-class input. Our economy depends on intelligent, capable and productive people. Albertans are already gifted in these areas.

We have a labour pool over two million strong, with 64 percent of all workers 25 and up reporting post-secondary credentials. And despite having only 11 percent of Canada's labour force, we train 20 percent of its apprentices. Alberta's workers are young, well-educated and highly motivated.

We have great foundations that our government will build on. There is no better investment of public funds than in learning.

Without a skilled and highly educated workforce, we will not attract the cutting-edge companies to carry out research and development, much less the finest minds to lead it.

We need outstanding schools and post-secondary institutions. And that means we need the most committed teachers and a flexible curriculum suited to every our diverse students' needs. We need an inclusive system, one that lets students from Alberta's rainbow of ethnic communities get the attention and resources they need to excel in their adopted home.

By restoring $107 million in funding, we have taken a first step toward reducing class sizes and restoring quality education. Now, it is time to start sprinting.

We will provide students with increased opportunities for apprenticeships to alleviate shortages in the trades and get teens started on the path to success and stability early.

We will put the entire education system on a three-year funding plan, ending uncertainty over budgets and providing schools with the resources they need to meet demand from a growing population.

Our Government is committed to strengthening our universities and post-secondary institutions - through the creation of new initiatives that will attract the world's best scholars, researchers, teachers and innovators to this province - who stay in Alberta and train and educate our future generations who in turn will build and grow our knowledge based industries and professions and lead new discoveries.

To enhance our leadership role further, this government will negotiate externships - competitive placements for talented young Albertans with energy-focused organizations around the globe. This will help recent grads jumpstart their careers and put Albertans at the forefront of innovation in every aspect of energy from compliance and monitoring to research and development.

I will be announcing more about these initiatives in the coming months.

And we will ensure that all Albertans have the skills and experience to take part in the economy. We will expand recruitment of students in rural areas and among Mandeacute;tis and First Nations communities. Once enrolled in post-secondary institutions, we will make sure they can access the mentorship and support programs they need to excel.

The most enduring prosperity is spread as widely as possible. This government will make sure that every Albertan in every corner of our province has the chance to contribute. We will invest in Albertans, in their sense of discovery, their entrepreneurial spirit and their dreams. We will pass these qualities on to our children, so they can make their futures even brighter.

Energy and Environment

Much of the revenue we use to keep our public services running comes from the energy sector.

Alberta plays host to one of the most innovative and responsible energy sectors on Earth. It remains a critical part of our economy, one that can make life better for all Albertans. It supports countless additional industries and maintains hundreds of thousands of jobs, with the potential to add even more. Future projects announced for the oil sands amount to $112 billion and production is slated to increase to 3.5 million barrels per day by 2020.

But with our great blessings comes the responsibility to properly manage them. Our environment must be protected. Albertans have a deep respect for nature and they have the right to be able to enjoy the natural beauties of their home, pristine and unspoiled. We expect to live and raise our families in healthy conditions. Future Albertans are counting on us to keep the province's incredible biodiversity intact.

This government will. Together with our industry partners, we are moving beyond monitoring to Cumulative Effects Management, a holistic approach that considers the combined impacts of existing and proposed developments on all aspects of the environment.

And when it comes to our most precious resource of all, we are going still further. The addition of water into the official title of the Environment Ministry is more than cosmetic.

Through groundwater mapping, this government is developing a better understanding of water resources across the province, so we can make better water management decisions for every region.

We are using the Water for Life strategy and working with land-use planners, watershed councils and environmental groups across the province to develop best practices - to increase conservation, educate Albertans and manage our most precious resource today, tomorrow and for future generations.

We will accomplish this while keeping the energy sector in full bloom, partnering with the sector to find solutions to reduce its footprint.

Alberta's success also requires the industry to sustainably expand. Market diversification is critical to our long-term prosperity. Global demand for energy is growing, our production is rising and new customers are within our reach. We have to connect with them.

Over 99 percent of our crude exports go to the United States, but we can find more outlets. This government will support the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline to Canada's west coast, opening up Asia to our oil and bringing enormous benefits to Alberta's economy.

China is already our second-largest export market and they, along with many neighbours, are rapidly modernizing. This government will reach out to potential Asian partners and guarantee Alberta's prosperity for decades to come.

The super-economies of the 21st century will be those that can strategically align themselves with Asia.

Alberta has a great interest in forging stronger economic links to countries like China, India and Japan.

Asia is a lucrative market of 4 billion people, and we're one of many jurisdictions competing for market share in the Far East.

How important is the Asian market? When taken together, China, Japan, Korea and India are Alberta's second largest export market accounting for about $8 billion in 2010. Alberta's trade with China alone has tripled since 2003.

Infrastructure improvements to ports and rails, new pipelines for bitumen and natural gas - these will help us to export more agri-food and forest products, and open new markets for energy products.

Another key is Alberta's relationships with Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The New West Partnership between the three provinces allows us to market our part of Canada as one large economic trading block. Last fall, the three westernmost provinces signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on issues such as seeking new investment and new markets, especially in Asia.

Food for the World

The world's population is growing and demand for our agricultural commodities is only going to grow with it. This government will work to make Alberta a dominant global supplier in an increasingly hungry world.

We must raise yields sustainably, be leaders in research, turn provincial producers into preferred global suppliers and strengthen Alberta's ability to compete with the best in the world. Our government will provide Alberta-based producers with the financing, guidance and diplomatic support to make all this happen.

Markets are already opening up to us. In June 2010, the federal government signed off on a cooperative agreement with China that allows expanded access to Chinese markets for Canadian beef and beef products.

Other high-priority markets include the United States, Japan, Mexico, India and the Middle East. Our government will do everything possible to open doors further, maximizing market access for Alberta-based producers. Agriculture and Rural Development is cooperating with the federal government and Alberta's Ministry for Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Affairs to nurture relationships with foreign customers through executive and political missions.

This government will provide incentives to help producers excel. We have already made an excellent start.

Since 2009, the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, ALMA, has provided almost $80 million to support industry projects, with a projected value of more than $249 million.

We will continue to support the Growing Forward initiative, a partnership with Ottawa that aims to address provincial agriculture and agribusiness by investing $273 million in the industry. This initiative has allowed Alberta to become the only province in Canada offering programs for livestock welfare, automation, lean manufacturing and market development.

And we will not overlook the market here at home. Growing local demand for Alberta-based agricultural products is the key to building new businesses, resulting in increased investment, employment and manufacturing capacity in the province.

Our government will continue to back the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, a reliable source of capital for agribusiness ventures considered too risky by private sector lenders.

Through the Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator in Leduc, we will continue to provide agrifood entrepreneurs with the business guidance and assistance they need to grow their enterprises and stay viable.

This government will go to the wall for Alberta's agricultural sector and ensure our farmers are the best in the world.

Better Business

This past June, 22,000 new jobs were created in Alberta, more than in the entire United States. The reason Alberta has been so successful is because it has maintained a business-friendly environment, thanks to public investment and firm support for entrepreneurs.

Over the past two decades, Alberta has topped the country in average economic growth and is poised to regain the top spot by 2012. At the same time, we continue to lead Canada in per-capita investment at almost twice the national average.

Government is investing in this province, using savings from the good times and taking advantage of a competitive market in bad times to deliver the infrastructure critical to Alberta's growth.

We are investing $17.6 billion to 2014, keeping over 70,000 Albertans employed during the downturn and retaining skilled workers who will needed in the years ahead.

Quality infrastructure in every community is helping local businesses grow and create jobs. And private sector job creation is the major contributor to Albertans' quality of life.

Alberta has the largest number of small businesses per capita in Canada. They have an impact on our province completely out of proportion to their size. They contribute almost a third of our GDP, provide 37 percent of private sector jobs and make up 96 percent of all businesses in the province.

Small businesses build and maintain our communities, produce our basic commodities and pour their passion into making our lives easier every day.

More than any other sector, small businesses are the glue that holds Alberta together. And this government will never hesitate to defend their interests.

About 700 full-time jobs are supported by organizations receiving funding through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA). And support through the AFA helps ensure that our artists and cultural industries continue to have access to quality content as this sector grows.

More than $246 million was spent in Alberta over the last three years as a result of film and TV productions supported by the Alberta Multimedia Development Fund. Alberta's film industry employs roughly 3,000 Albertans in supporting industries and has amassed 56 Oscar and 92 Emmy nominations since 1948.

Small businesses do more than add to our net worth, they nurture our cultural and artistic diversity, boost tourism and promote our values.

This should come as no surprise because small business owners reflect Alberta's deepest values. They are independent-minded, courageous individuals, each with a unique vision of their respective enterprises which, taken together, make up a major part of our economy.

Entrepreneurship is one of our core values and this government will promote it. We will establish a taskforce charged with finding ways to slash red tape and reduce the regulatory burden that constrains small business owners. This group will have a firm deadline and when this government has received its final report, it will put the taskforce's recommendations into action.

Anti-business protests are attracting a lot of attention in the media right now, but they hide a basic fact: Our wealth and freedom depend on the individual right to free enterprise.

From Jade Homes in Bow Island, which builds custom homes for shipment across the province and supports a local network of contractors, to the award-winning Birds and Bees Organic Winery in Two Hills, small businesses are an integral part of Alberta's economic landscape. They make a difference every day, growing our economy in new and exciting ways. It is time the government got out of their way and gave them room to spread their wings.

Finances for the Future

But all our plans for a stronger Alberta must come back to finance. A healthy treasury is at the heart of any strong economy.

And Albertans must have a say in these plans. They must understand the government's spending priorities and have a voice in shaping them.

Our government will consult with Albertans in November through public roundtables with ministers followed by a public survey and requests for submissions. We will use the resulting feedback as we prepare our budget for 2012 so it reflects Albertans' priorities.

Let us be clear: we have some tough decisions ahead, but Albertans have the intellect, fortitude, the intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit to make the decisions that are right for the times and right for them.

We must make better use of the funds we have. And we must grow our economy and our revenue base without job-killing taxes or legislation. Albertans themselves are best equipped to guarantee this province's prosperity. The government's job is to create the conditions to let them do so, and then get out of the way. Albertans expect no less from us.

This means no provincial sales tax. And as little public interference as possible in Albertans' rights to earn a living, start a business and make a profit.

Sound financial habits also involve sensible budgeting. We must spend smarter and avoid the path of least resistance. Simplistic solutions and wide-eyed spending promises are not the answer.

Our plans for stable, multi-year budgets for essential public services will bring unprecedented discipline to public spending. Other governments have talked about doing it. We will make it happen.

Department budgets will only grow when there is a clear need and we will conduct regular budgetary reviews to find savings in approved budgets wherever possible. Albertans want government to be more responsible about spending, and we will be. We will treat taxpayers' money with the same respect they do.

The effort to keep spending in check will not stop there.

Albertans expect their government to plan for the future and we will not let them down. We will balance the budget by 2013-14. And we will plan ahead.

To further protect Alberta's finances, we will keep the Sustainability and Heritage Funds topped up. Parents do not leave their children with debt. They invest in their children's future, passing on a responsible legacy that allows their children to live their own lives and realize their own dreams.

We will keep the province's coffers full and its outlook bright no matter what the world economy throws our way.

Albertans will understand where we are going, because they share these same values.

Conclusion

Alberta equals opportunity, and this government must do everything it can to promote this simple fact. We have the means and the resources to make it truer than ever. We have the skills and the abilities. We have what we need. We have the will and we will act.

Alberta has a vibrant economy built on dedicated small businesses and thriving industries. Our government will work with them to grow our prosperity even more.

Alberta has no shortage of incredible people dedicated to do everything they can to make Alberta caring, compassionate and fair. Our government will help them realize that goal.

Our goal is to ensure economic success and a great quality of life for everyone in a province where hard work is rewarded and no one turns a blind eye to want or hardship. Together, we will build a province where world-class, fully funded public services are there when you need them, no matter what you need them for. We will insulate this province from the shocks of the global economy and build the best Alberta possible.

We are already headed in this direction. This government, working together with Albertans, will get us there.

But this is not a partisan project.

Fellow Members of the Legislative Assembly, you sit in this Assembly for one and only one reason: because you believe in Alberta. You want what's best for this province and its people. Every single one of you ran for office on this platform and every single one of you comes to work each and every day knowing you have another chance to make things better for Alberta.

We will always be divided to some extent by our different visions, but in our hearts, we want the same thing. I know that with a little goodwill, we can see past our differences. With a little effort, we can come together for Alberta.

We are incomparably stronger together than apart. We can give Albertans the exceptional government and outstanding public services they expect. We can make Alberta the best place in the world to live, to start a business, to raise a family and to retire. We can ensure Alberta continues to be the best place in the world, period. Together, we can achieve amazing things.

New Cabinet team focused on Albertans' priorities

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 MST
click for more information

Royal Alberta Museum Design Proposals

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 MST

Designs for the new Royal Alberta Museum are in and Albertans are invited to take a first-hand look.

'The new Royal Alberta Museum belongs to all Albertans,' said Ray Danyluk, Minister of Infrastructure. 'It represents who we are, have been and will be. This is why it's important Albertans get an opportunity to see what their new museum may look like.'

The designs, submitted by the four design-build teams shortlisted to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage of the project, have been posted on Alberta Infrastructure's website at www.infrastructure.alberta.ca/3688.htm.

'The exterior design of the new Royal Alberta Museum must be such as to compel Albertans and our guests to visit and experience the facility for the first time,' said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. 'Inside, the province's treasures and the spirit of discovery will spark their desire to return time and again.'

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Improving Employment Standards

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 MST

For more information visit www.employment.alberta.ca

-Thomas Lukaszuk

Minister, Employment and Immigration

International Youth Day

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 MST

August 12 is International Youth Day - a great opportunity to promote awareness of the challenges young people face around the world, celebrate the positive contributions they make and encourage their continued participation in helping build strong and vibrant communities ... right here in Alberta.

Our province is home to thousands of inspirational youth like Austen Radowits, who makes a positive difference for others, every day:

In August 2008, while eagerly anticipating his first year of high school, the 14-year-old from Drayton Valley was involved in a tragic dirt-bike accident leaving him with a serious brain injury. His injuries were so severe that doctors suggested his parents decide if he would be donating organs and to begin make funeral arrangements. Instead, with remarkable perseverance and courage, Austen survived and spent the next several weeks learning to walk and talk again.

The recovery from his physical injury had been an ordeal, but life only got harder when he returned to school a month and a half later. Still healing from the accident, Austen was bullied ruthlessly for his disabilities. He was shoved into lockers, called a vegetable and was even tormented by some of his former friends. The emotional scars of bullying and stress caused setbacks in his recovery. Austen stopped attending school. Despite memory loss due to his injury and loneliness, he successfully continued his studies at home, where he felt safer.

Austen entered a 4H competition with a presentation about his accident and experiences with bullying. The audience and judges were so impressed with his speech, they encouraged him to share it with other youth.

With encouragement and support from his English teacher, Austen appeared at the school he had stopped attending. His presentation was barely over when he received a text message from one of the boys in the audience - a fellow student who had bullied Austen in the past. In the message, the boy expressed how deeply sorry he was for the pain he had caused. It was at that moment that Austen knew he could make a difference in the lives of others by sharing his experiences with other classes and schools across Alberta.

Now 17 and a high school graduate, Austen is a member of Alberta's Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee and the Drayton Valley Anti-Bullying Coalition. His ongoing mission is to speak with children and youth across Canada about bullying. 'My goal is to share my personal refusal of being a target of bullying, my personal discovery of inner-strength, and my advocacy for creating bully-free schools and communities,' he said. 'If I can help one other person through the maze of emotional and personal problems associated with being a bully target, it will be worth it.'

Together, on August 12, let us celebrate the determination, generosity, leadership and courage of our youth. If there is a young person in your life, like Austen, who is making an outstanding contribution at home, school, or in the community in his or her own way, take a moment to let that special youth know what a great role model they are and say 'thanks!'

-Yvonne Fritz

Minster, Children and Youth Services

News Release - Premier's statement on Norway events

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:00:00 MST

Edmonton - Events in Norway have shocked and saddened Albertans, who extend their sincerest sympathies to the people of that nation, said Premier Ed Stelmach.

'We share the grief and horror the world is feeling over these repugnant actions,' Stelmach said. 'We can only hope that people who promote extreme beliefs without respect for the views of others may realize from this tragic event what extremism can result in.'

The Premier has directed his staff to seek out representatives of the Norwegian community in Alberta to determine an appropriate way to further express Albertans' condolences and support.

- 30 -

Media inquiries may be directed to:
David Sands
Office of the Premier
780-644-3024
780-619-7586 (cell)
david.sands@gov.ab.ca
To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000

PNWER summit a great success for Alberta

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 MST

The Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) annual summit has wrapped up for another year. Our Alberta delegation has deemed our mission to the summit a success: as ministers and MLAs spent 3 jam-packed days attending and presenting at the conference, and meeting with old and new friends alike to promote our province and discuss a range of issues that impact Alberta, like trade, energy and innovation. They covered a lot of ground in a short time, and it was mission accomplished in terms of getting Alberta's story out to regional leaders and lawmakers.

But don't take my word for it. Check out the links below to hear them tell it in their own words:

Iris Evans, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations, speaks about the summit's many opportunities to build relationships and discuss a wide range of issues.

Greg Weadick, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology says the summit was an excellent forum to talk about Campus Alberta, Alberta Innovates and Alberta's other leading edge Alberta-made projects.

-Mike Deising
International and Intergovernmental Relations

PNWER off to a great start

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 MST

PORTLAND,OR - Talk about a great first day at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region annual summit! Members of the Alberta delegation hit the circuit early, meeting with state lawmakers from Washington and Oregon at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast with friends is sure a good way to catch up and talk about some shared challenges like energy, jobs and transportation. With the coffees refilled we had the pleasure of listening to Governor John Kitzhaber kick off the summit and share his perspective on the key role innovation will play in moving our region forward.

And to many this may sound familiar - the need to break down barriers to trade, investment and labour mobility. It was a key theme during the trade and economic development session, which Minister Evans spoke at following the Governor's speech. Lawmakers and business leaders were all talking about the need to flatten the border, move skilled workers across the 49th parallel more easily and tap into emerging markets like China and India. Following Minister Evans' presentation on the New West Partnership (NWP) and during the general Q and A session multiple audience members commented on the need to apply NWP thinking to the greater PNWER region. Something to think about.

PNWER has always been catalysts for stronger regional cooperation and Gary Doer, Canada's Ambassador to the U.S., reinforced the importance of the region's work. The 600 or so delegates on hand for his keynote address also heard clearly the strategic advantage of Canadian oil and the critical importance of the Keystone pipeline, which received a rather loud round of applause from our PNWER neighbours.

Criss-crossing between two hotels, a handful of sessions and other various meetings (Idaho National Lab and Western States Petroleum Association are just a couple of examples) the Alberta delegation spent the rest of the day promoting the province and building relationships. Day 2 is looking just as busy with energy, sustainable development, border issues and agriculture on the agenda.

-Mike Deising
International and Intergovernmental Relations

Still on the job 100 years later

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 MST

Did you know that the original Lethbridge jail (now called the Lethbridge Correctional Centre) was designed similar to Alcatraz with no cells touching perimeter walls to prevent escape--and that the warden and staff were housed on prison grounds? Or that, like Alcatraz, Lethbridge prisoners weren't allowed to speak except at certain times?

Unthinkable today, but common practice 100 years ago.

Today's modern facility boasts a gymnasium, chapel, library, and sports field--all designed for inmate use. In addition, offenders build wooden trucks and other toys for Christmas donations, recondition lawnmowers for local charities, and clean chairs for local churches.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Lethbridge Correctional Centre - the oldest correctional centre in Alberta - and we're looking for anyone who worked there to participate in the centennial celebration.

Part of the celebration will include placing a plaque at the entrance of the Centre in honour of all those who have worked here over our 100 year history.

If you are one of these people, or know of one of these people, please call 403-388-2964.

An open house is also being held for the public to celebrate the anniversary on August 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. If you're in the Lethbridge area on that date, stop by the Lethbridge Correctional Centre on old Coaldale Road - affectionately known as the jail road.

Don't worry, though...unlike the old days you'll be allowed to speak as much as you want.

LCC then:

LCC now:

Art Retreat!

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 MST

Amateur artists, rejoice. There's a place for you in Alberta to drop your cares and work on your art, at least for the weekend.

From Friday, September 9 to Monday, September 12, explore people, art, and nature at the 3rd Annual Writing-on-Stone Art Retreat. This year's focus is on Photographic and Film Arts with Alberta Parks videographer John Novotny. John is an experienced photographer and will be there as a guide rather than a teacher.

Beyond the art: The weekend includes Alberta Parks Interpreters talking about natural and cultural history, a tipi program, North West Mounted Police tour, hiking, and rock art tours.

Sign me up! $249 pays for camping fees and costs for facilitated programs. All other expenses, including travel, meals and accommodation are up to participants to cover. Remember to bring your own tools for cooking outside, camping equipment, closed-toe shoes, a 1 L drinking water container and a hat.

Register online here. (Full payment is due August 30, 2011. You can also cancel your registration with a full refund up to August 30, 2011.)

For details, contact Suzanne Lodermeier at 403-647-2364 extension 229

Schools for the Future, today

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

When it comes to school design, the opinions of students matter. The way a school is designed affects the way students interact with one another and with their teachers, and ultimately how they learn and grow.

And so, on the heels of a recent announcement to build or renovate 35 schools across the province, the government is going directly to students to seek their input for design ideas.

School boards that are getting new or renovated schools sent one or two students to the 'Schools for the Future' workshop today, where they're sharing their ideas for school design with Infrastructure Minister Ray Danyluk and Education Minister David Hancock.

'Today is about understanding schools through your eyes - what encourages you to be there, what inspires you to learn and what will facilitate this process,' Hancock told the students.

'Schools of the future must be adaptable buildings that work for everyone who uses them. We want to hear what will make schools work for you, the students' Danyluk added.

Each of the students at the workshop told the Ministers what they like and what they'd change about their schools. The students were positive, energetic, and candid as they shared opinions on the size and layout of classrooms, hallways, gathering spaces, libraries, cafeterias, green spaces and gymnasiums.

This afternoon, the students will get a chance to design and build model school concepts with architects. Stay tuned for more of the students input on the new school designs.

-Jessica Roth
Alberta Infrastructure

No more distractions behind the wheel

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

Distractions behind the wheel are soon to be curbed as the most comprehensive legislation in Canada makes its way to our streets.

Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette, along with our traffic safety partners, announced today that Alberta's new distracted driving law will come into effect on September 1.

'This legislation is another step forward in our traffic safety efforts and an important addition to our overall traffic safety strategy,' Ouellette said.

'I am also confident this new law, which is practical and enforceable, will help to keep Albertans safer while on the road and that's something we can all support. We all have a role to play in traffic safety and I encourage Albertans to start practicing safer driving habits today.'

The main objective of the new law is to improve road safety. We can no longer text, e-mail, read or write while driving, and it doesn't stop there. There are many things that we do while driving that take our hands off the wheel and our attention off the road. International research shows that 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions involve driver distraction and that goes way beyond just cell phone use.

Distracted driving is an issue all across North America and around the world. Many factors contribute to this situation: tremendous technological advances, a perceived need to be connected to work and home at all times, a perception that driving is an unproductive, second nature task and trying to accomplish more in less time. This is about much more than statistics, it is about people. It is up to us to make the necessary changes. After all, we all want to get home safely.

To get the word out, information in newspapers, on radio and online will assist Albertans with the details of the new law and how to stay safe behind the wheel. All Albertans play a part in making our roads safer and we encourage everyone to follow the rules of the road.

Please visit transportation.alberta.ca/distracteddriving.htm to learn more about the new law.

-Martin Dupuis
Alberta Transportation

National Aboriginal Day

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

On June 21, National Aboriginal Day is celebrated across Canada. This is a tremendous opportunity for all Canadians to learn about and celebrate the cultures, contributions and achievements of First Nations, Mandeacute;tis and Inuit peoples.

How did National Aboriginal Day originate?

andbull; In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) launched a national campaign to have June 21 recognized as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day.

andbull; In 1990, the Quebec National Assembly recognized June 21 as a day to celebrate Aboriginal culture.

andbull; In 1995, participants of the Sacred Assembly in Hull, Quebec - a national meeting of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people - also called for a national day to recognize the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canada.

andbull; This specific day was chosen because of the cultural significance of the summer solstice - the first day of summer and longest day of the year.

andbull; On June 13, 1996, then Governor General Romandeacute;o LeBlanc officially declared June 21 National Aboriginal Day.

Albertans are invited to participate in the many National Aboriginal Day events being held throughout the province celebrating Canada's First Peoples and experience their cultures, languages and traditions.

Click here for a list of events taking place in communities across Alberta.

John Tuckwell
- Children and Youth Services

Briefing on oil sands: Your business?

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

Edmonton's Economic Development Corporation brought in hundreds of city and regional business leaders Tuesday to a briefing on current developments in the oil sands industry, and on the controversy surrounding it. Shortly, we are going to put up some posts we drew out of that event. Were you there? Please send in your links to bloggers who were there with another perspective!

If this is about jobs...

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

Some big numbers were thrown at an Edmonton business audience Tuesday as a briefing on Alberta's oil sands sometimes boiled down to a lecture on the industry's economic heft.

andbull; $13 billion invested in the past year
andbull; $15 billion expected this year
andbull; 77,000 additional workers needed over the next decade (not just in oil sands but all sectors).

Those are figures from Alberta Energy Minister Ron Liepert, based on current results and projections.

'The economies of many countries around the world remain fragile, but here in Alberta we're gearing up for what could be another unprecedented period of growth,' Liepert told the crowd of a few hundred. 'There's a feeling of optimism, of confidence, and talk now centres more on dealing with a labour shortage than (with) high levels of unemployment.'

Economist Peter Tertzakian called common descriptions of the industry's weight a 'gross understatement' - and was even referring to the descriptions made at this pro-industry forum.

'It's very, very big... Canada has one of the biggest GDPs per capita in the world, and Alberta is two to three times that.'

Beyond the green machine

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

Alberta may be too focused on environmental attacks on its oil sands industry, says a Calgary-based energy economist.

Peter Tertzakian believes the province's residents, its government and the oil industry may be under-estimating the risk of demand destruction to its primary export. 'The environment is exceptionally important.. (but)... it's not the only part of the debate that we must talk about,' Tertzakian told an audience of about 500 in Edmonton yesterday.

Alberta exports oil only to the U.S., he said. That's not a growing market, Tertzakian believes: Much of the growth there so far has been driven by people buying bigger and bigger autos, and moving further and further from the cores of their city centres.

'Both of these trends are leveling out,' Tertzakian said, 'and they were well before the financial crisis, and well before oil went to ($147/bbl).'

The concern of Alberta 'landlocked in bitumen' was also noted by Alberta Energy Minister Ron Liepert.

'We need access to get our product to new and growing markets,' Liepert said. 'The number one issue facing Alberta in the future will be access to markets.'

The sights, sounds and tastes of National Aboriginal Day

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

June 21, 2011, marks the 15th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day, the nation-wide celebration of First Nations, Mandeacute;tis and Inuit histories and cultures.

In celebration, Alberta Aboriginal Relations hosted its annual National Aboriginal Day event over the noon hour today at Edmonton's City Centre mall.

The event was a great way to profile the many contributions of First Nations, Mandeacute;tis and Inuit people to an audience that may not normally have the chance to experience traditional and contemporary Aboriginal entertainment.

Len Webber, Minister of Aboriginal Relations, used today's event to announce $1.2 million in Safe Communities funding for the 'New in Town Aboriginal Welcome Service'. The three-year pilot project supports Aboriginal newcomers to Edmonton.

Here's a few photo highlights from the event:

Emcee Adrian LaChance did a great job warming up the crowd.

Another great reason to celebrate National Aboriginal Day: bannock!

Crowd favourites the Little Jiggers Mandeacute;tis dance group.

The Blackstone Singers and the Running Thunder Dancers.

A reminder - June is also Aboriginal History and Culture Month in Alberta, a month to recognize the unique histories and rich heritage of Aboriginal people in our province.

If you missed today's fun, visit www.aboriginal.alberta.ca for a list of National Aboriginal Day, and Aboriginal History and Culture Month, events taking place across the province over the next few weeks.

-Scott Sehested
Aboriginal Relations

Magnum P.I. it ain't

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

Tom Selleck's Magnum P.I. might have been one of the coolest private eyes ever. Living on a beachfront estate and driving a Ferrari, he bent or broke just about every rule in the book. But while the 80's TV show was fun, it is far from the reality of how private investigators and others in the security services industry work in Alberta.

Security guards, locksmiths, patrol dog handlers, alarm responders and automotive lock bypass workers are some of the professionals who continue to improve the way they deliver their valuable services in Alberta.

That's why the Alberta government updated the rules that govern these industries to reflect these high standards and professionalism, with some of the most significant requirements coming into effect on June 1, 2011.

For example, anyone applying for a new security services licence after that date must complete the Alberta Basic Security Training course before obtaining a licence.

Nor is this kind of specialized training just for security guards. You will also need to take the training if you want to work in loss prevention, alarm response, patrol dog services and executive protection (you know, a bodyguard).

In fact, for the first time locksmiths and automotive lock bypass workers will need a licence above and beyond a pick licence.

For those in the industry, one of the biggest changes will be their ability to apply for and manage their own license. In the past, employers controlled the licensing process, but now anyone wanting a security service licence can handle their own certification, which will follow them from job to job.

Visit www.securityprograms.alberta.ca to find out more information about training and licensing in the security services field.

-Brian Mulawka Ministry of the Solicitor General andamp; Public Security

New internship program matches students with non-profits

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

Post-secondary students graduate from their programs brimming with knowledge and eager to start out on their chosen career path. However, with employers looking for a combination of education and work experience, getting their foot in the door for that first job can be a challenge.

This is where the Government of Alberta was approached by the Alberta Students' Executive Council (ASEC) with a proposal: Why not develop a program that rewards students for developing their skills while giving back to the community?

The proposal began a collaboration between the government, student groups and Volunteer Alberta, and resulted in the Serving Communities Internship Program (SCIP) - a unique opportunity for post-secondary students to earn $1,000 bursary for completing an internship in the nonprofit or voluntary sector.

Beginning this fall, students can apply for one of up to 500 internships available. If chosen, these interns can expect to gain meaningful experience at a nonprofit organization, putting their educational knowledge and skills to work.

To provide these internships, we are looking for nonprofit/voluntary organizations who can benefit from post-secondary student's knowledge and experience while providing support and guidance.

The benefits of this program is two-fold, with students gaining valuable hands-on experience working on meaningful projects, and voluntary organizations accessing skills, knowledge and time that they are all-too-often short on.

Interested students and organizations can find more information here.

-Lisa Glover

Advanced Education and Technology

Music to the ears of a Slave Lake fire victim

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST
'I lost everything in the fire. I lost my rare record collection and my songbook. Music is my life and had lost the tools of my trade. I lost 4 electric guitars including a 1978 fender telecaster signed by Jim Clench, guitarist for Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Man, that was a priceless possession that is irreplaceable since Jim passed away a couple of years ago.
I also lost a prized acoustic guitar signed by my hero Randy Bachman. It was devastating but not much I could do about it. Me and my buddy stayed to fight the fires in Slave Lake as long as we could but it got to the point where the flames were flying over our heads and we had to jump in our car to flee to safety. You could feel the heat. We could hear the police bullhorn telling us to evacuate immediately. Traffic was bumper to bumper. We'd sit for 15-2O mins and then move only 4-5 feet. I remember some moron driving past all the cars on the sidewalk. But everyone remained calm.

So I ended up in Athabasca at the evacuation centre. I brought some clothes and an Ibanez guitar and started to do some volunteer work unloading trucks and helping out in the kitchen.

Manitoba rock legend Randy Bachman of BTO heard of Bartlett's loss from the fires and sent him a new autographed guitar
See more photos of the special gift here
Read the Edmonton Journal interview with Bartlett

So one night here I am sorting through some stuff out the back of a truck and I reach down and lo and behold I come across some notebooks and pens. I ran to the multiplex and wrote down 19-2O songs from memory. I may have lost all my stuff in the fire but this sure helped with me looking forward and trying to put my life back together.

It was like a sign because in this moment, I had a powerful thought of writing a song to the good people of Athabasca because they had been so good to us. I'm still in the writing process but it will be an uplifting song full of hope and promise. And when I get around to recording I can think of no two finer musicians to help me out on it than randy Bachman and C. Fred Turner. It has been a dream of mine for a long time to hook up with these two Canadian rock icons.

A note from government communications director Michael Shields: Throughout his ordeal over the past two weeks, this father of three children has maintained a positive attitude that life in this community will get better. I wouldn't bet against his musical dream from coming true.

Notes from the Westlock Evacuation Centre

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 MST

The Westlock reception centre opened its doors, and the community its arms, hearts and homes to the folks displaced by the fires that threatened Slake Lake and area on Sunday night. Since then, the mood at the centre is both helpless and hopeful.

I spoke to one extended family with three stories from being completely spared to losing everything.

We have a couple of doctors here, originally from overseas, who want to get home to Slave Lake to assist their community, even though they believe they've lost everything...including their passports.

I turn to hear the sounds of happy kids. They're reading stories or making puzzles or coming back from a swim in the pool, eating pizza or spaghetti kindly prepared by the folks of Westlock.

There are also people still searching to find where their friends or neighbours are.

Then there are the volunteers from Westlock and area. Many are town staff or from agencies like Family and Community Support Services or Alberta Health Services. They're here along with their neighbours of all ages doing whatever it takes - cooking, vacuuming, cleaning, organizing, babysitting, helping people get basic supplies.

An army of volunteers is also unpacking, taking inventory and storing the multitude of donations at the Royal Canadian Legion, the Community Hall and in a makeshift warehouse that used to be the SAAN store. It opened on Monday afternoon and I'm hearing it's already almost full, with everything from clothes to food and furniture. Donations have come in from throughout the region, all bundled with hopes and prayers for a brighter tomorrow.

This sense of humanity reflects what's good and right and decent about the people of our province. It reflects the spirit of Alberta - that pioneering and community spirit that built our province. With a unified sense of purpose to help those who need help, Albertans are doing it again, feeling the gratitude from a simple thank you or a child's hug.

Donate wisely in Alberta
Province wide fire ban in effect
To find people displaced by wildfire or to register if you have been displaced, call the Canadian Red Cross at 1-800-565-4483

Parker Hogan, Culture and Community Spirit

Building a more competitive economy

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 MST

The Alberta Competitiveness Council's report, Moving Alberta Forward, identifies 18 priority actions to improve Alberta's competitive position.

Lots of experts have said Alberta's economy is doing well - that there's more work here than most places in Canada, and that the outlook is strong enough to raise concerns about labour shortages in some areas.

Still, Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Economic Development Authority chair Bob Brawn say more needs to be done to make Alberta competitive. They are co-chairs of the Alberta Competitiveness Council, and want to ensure Alberta remains one of the most competitive jurisdictions in the world.

A more competitive economy will benefit all Albertans because it grows faster, adapts more quickly, and leads to lower prices, higher wages, more jobs, and better living standards.

The report identified actions needed to increase Alberta's competitiveness in four specific sectors including agriculture; manufacturing; financial services; and petrochemicals and chemicals.

Many of the actions prescribed in Moving Alberta Forward are underway already. For example, government, training institutions and employers are now working together to update and develop new ways to expand our labour force in the face of potential shortages.

The report also found Alberta's productivity growth is weak compared to that of other jurisdictions. A key action to address that issue is to maximize use of helpful tools and resources for business and industry through www.productivityalberta.ca

Another important action is to look at increased weight limits on Alberta's roads to provide the safe transportation of heavier equipment and components to the oil sands regions. This will allow more work to be done in the Edmonton region and save money. A feasibility assessment between government and industry is underway.

Go here to see other actions and how you or your business can participate and benefit.

-Jac MacDonald

Finance and Enterprise

Cancer coverage for part-time firefighters

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 MST

A few weeks ago, I witnessed a horrible event that offered insight into the work of emergency responders. I was driving my daughters to school and daycare when I saw a woman get hit by a SUV. She'd been walking with her great-granddaughter and managed to push the girl out the way before she was struck. As we waited for paramedics to arrive, another person at the scene and I attempted to stabilize the woman, who later passed away.

For several tense minutes, I felt what it must be like to be a police officer, paramedic or firefighter - rushing into an unknown situation to do one's best to help. I will never forget the day's sad events, which strengthened my resolve to continue working for the men and woman who put their lives on the line every day in order to make ours better.

Just as Alberta's firefighters dedicate their careers to protecting us, we have an obligation to do what we can to protect them. And that's why I have announced enhanced Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) cancer coverage for this group of workers.

At the Alberta Fire Fighters Association annual convention in Calgary on May 4, I announced that four more cancers have been added to the list of cancers with presumptive WCB coverage, making Alberta's 3,500 full-time firefighters among the best protected in the country. On May 11, new legislation was passed that extends this same coverage to Alberta's 10,000 volunteer and casual firefighters.

It shouldn't matter how many hours a day firefighters are dedicated to their profession. If a firefighter risks his or her life to enter a burning building, and is later diagnosed with cancer, that person should have access to workers' compensation benefits.

Although there are many risk factors for cancer, firefighters face a higher likelihood of contracting the disease than the general public because of the toxic or cancer-causing agents they are exposed to on the job. Now, if a full- or part-time firefighter is diagnosed with prostate, breast, skin and multiple myeloma - or any of the other 10 cancers on the WCB list - and meets the exposure criteria, the cancer will be presumed to be work-related.

I hope that by extending coverage to include more cancers, firefighters and their families will be afforded some peace of mind when they need it most. It's the least we can do.

To learn more about these recent announcements, see news releases from May 4 and May 10.

More information on WCB presumptive coverage of cancers for firefighters can be found here.

-Thomas Lukaszuk

Minister, Employment and Immigration

Joining forces to hit gangs where it hurts most

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 MST

In 2008, a new office was set up in Alberta with a simple goal - disrupt crime.

Three years later, Alberta's Civil Forfeiture Office has been busy seizing property and cash tied to criminal activity, including over 173 drug dealer cars, 49 drug houses (mostly grow ops) and over 100 cases of cash. All told we've restrained more than $21 million in property and cash tied to criminal activity.

That money is now being used to fund victims' groups and crime prevention programs. So far, $1.4 million has been distributed, or is in the process of distribution womens' shelters in rural areas, programs to help sex assault and human trafficking victims and reducing youth involvement in organized crime.

A new cooperation agreement with other provinces now has us poised to make this office even more effective.

Alberta has joined into an information sharing agreement that will allow our provincial CFO to share information with similar offices in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick.

This agreement is one more step in our commitment to making Alberta's communities among the safest in the country. Cooperation between provinces will help us further disrupt the business of crime and hit criminals where it hurts them the most - in their wallets.

This agreement will help the Civil Forfeiture Office be even more effective in seizing the illegal proceeds of crime and allow Alberta to assist other provinces in addressing crime in their communities.

Click here to read more about what's happening on the Safe Communities front

-Verlyn Olson

Minister of Justice and Attorney General

Bringing home baby: Mount Royal's new midwifery degree

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 MST

Many parents are excited to learn they're expecting a baby, but some are disappointed to learn how difficult it can be to find a midwife to help with the birth.

In recent years, the growing demand for midwives in Alberta has outpaced the supply: around 50 registered midwives are working in Alberta today.

Chances of matching moms with midwives are improving though: a new training program announced last week is showing that Alberta truly values midwifery services, and respects the wishes of the women who seek them.

In 2009 we started fully funding midwifery services through Alberta Health Care. Last week we did one better, announcing the new 4-year Bachelor of Midwifery program at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

Soon, more women will be following up the wonderful news of their pregnancy with the wonderful news that a midwife is available to work with them.

The Mount Royal program begins this fall.

This is great news for moms, but especially for students considering future job prospects. So long as Albertans are having babies, there'll be lots of work for midwives.

Click here for more information on midwifery in Alberta

-Rachel Bouska

Alberta Advanced Education and Technology

Putting carbon underground in Alberta: The first questions

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 MST
Underground carbon capture and storage is a complex science and a significant engineering challenge. But there are some basic, fundamental questions many people have (How do you know it won't leach into water? How do you know it won't escape through old oil or gas wells?) before delving into the detail.

My colleague Bob McManus of Alberta Energy does a fantastic job of answering those in this interview with QR77's Peter Watts on the Alberta Morning News on May 1. Take a moment (okay, six minutes) to hear those answers here (audio). And thanks to Corus for permission to 'publish' the interview.

- David Sands

Students make big impact in Work Safe Alberta Student Video Contest

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 MST

This week, I had the opportunity to meet some high school students who care about workplace health and safety and are helping to spread the word that on-the-job injuries and illnesses are preventable.

I was at an event for the start of North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, and presented these young people with awards in the Work Safe Alberta Student Video Contest.

The students' videos are sometimes hard to watch. In 'Expect the Unexpected,' the winning video entry by Edgerton Public School students in Edgerton, a flag person's cell phone drops from her hand as she is struck by a vehicle. Later, the video shows the young woman's friends coming to terms with her death.

It's this kind of impact that has made Work Safe Alberta campaigns, including Before it's an injury that began airing on April 4, an important part of the education and awareness work my department does.

The third-place entry was produced by Andrea McDonald, a Grade 10 student at Warner School in Warner. In her video, 'Stop Think Observe Plan,' students share their stories of family members injured or killed on the job.

When Andrea, 16, started the project, she thought it would be difficult to find people who'd been affected by a workplace incident. Yet when Andrea began talking to classmates, it 'blew her mind' to hear how many had been personally touched by tragedy or near-tragedy. Andrea said young people and their employers need to educate themselves on how to prevent injuries like the ones she heard about during her research, including a fall from a ladder, a kick to the jaw and fatal plane crash.

'Neglected: It's the Small Things that Count,' the second-place entry by Vincent Varga of St. Mary's High School in Calgary captures in its title a message common to each of the videos - that small steps can help prevent big problems. With workers aged 15-24 years representing 15 per cent of the workforce - and accounting for roughly 15 per cent of lost-time claims accepted by the Workers' Compensation Board - this is a message I hope young people will carry with them as they start their summer jobs.

Employment and Immigration Minister Thomas Lukaszuk and Calgary-Currie MLA Dave Taylor congratulate the third- and second-place winners in the Work Safe Alberta Student Video Contest, Andrea McDonald of Warner School in Warner and Vincent Varga of St. Mary's High School in Calgary. The awards were presented in Edmonton on April 27, 2011.

The videos have been posted on Work Safe Alberta's YouTube channel.

For more information, see the information bulletin.

Premier: 'We have global responsibilities'

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

Yes, the world needs Alberta's energy resources, said Premier Ed Stelmach. But even more, it needs the technologies we're developing to lessen the environmental impact of using that energy.

'Significant resources come with significant responsibilities,' the premier told a national audience of employers at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton this evening. 'Globally significant resources come with globally significant responsibilities.'

Speaking to the National Buyer Seller Forum, the premier said Alberta's drive for reduced emissions, improved habitat reclamation, greater alternative and renewable energy sources and more sustainable development are 'challenging issues that take vision and innovation at all levels.'

But they are not, he stressed, optional: 'These are issues that must be tackled to ensure sustained prosperity.'

The National Buyer Seller Forum is an 11-year-old event that started as a venue to help Alberta energy industry operators and suppliers connect to supply-chain employers elsewhere in Canada and beyond. It has been and continues to be heavily promoted by other Provinces as a major business opportunity for their home-grown industries to land manufacturing and service contracts in a rare, growing domestic market. My colleague Jac MacDonald of Alberta Finance and Enterprise does a better job than I of explaining what it's all about here.

-David Sands

Arm yourself with knowledge to outwit identity thieves

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

Imagine you just used your debit card to pay for a purchase. Did you keep your eyes on your card when it was swiped?

Whether it is skimming your debit card or running sophisticated schemes using social media or cell phones - fraudsters will go to great lengths to profit off your good name. They use the information they steal to commit crimes like obtaining false ID and charging goods to their victims' credit cards.

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing types of fraud in Canada. And it's one that we are seeing more and more here in Alberta.

As consumers, one of the most effective weapons we have against this type of fraud is knowledge.

Service Alberta has a wealth of resources to help you learn more about what identity theft is, why it is a problem, how to protect yourself and what to do if you think someone else is using your identity.

Our Ministry also participates in Fraud Prevention Alberta, a coalition of law enforcement, government and non-profit organizations dedicated to increasing awareness of fraud-related crime and identity theft. Coalition partners take part in Fraud Prevention Month activities every March and post fraud prevention tips on Facebook and Twitter.

As we near the end of Fraud Prevention Month, it's important to remember to remain vigilant throughout the year. The more information we can arm ourselves with, the less chance there will be to become a victim. By protecting your personal information you will protect yourself against identity theft.

-Heather Klimchuk

Minister, Service Alberta

Taking good advice to heart

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

Expert and experienced advice is always a welcome first step when developing a plan. It's even more important when figuring out how the same land base can meet people's needs for food, jobs, homes, and recreation, and still conserve our landscapes and provide habitat for other species.

A council of economic, municipal, environmental and other interests has now provided its advice on what should be considered in a land-use plan for the South Saskatchewan region of southern Alberta. (opens PDF)

But we are not stopping with expert advice.

Anyone who lives in a growing community or relies on natural resources for work has an opinion. Anyone who hikes the back country and values conservation has a voice. So we will be asking for your input on the experts' advice.

Watch for an online questionnaire in late April, and plan on attending consultations in your community this fall.

The expert advice and your advice together will help government draft a regional plan that meets everyone's needs, whether it's for jobs to help you raise your kids, or to let their grandkids experience the heritage landscapes and wildlife that are in our keeping today.

-Mel Knight

Minister, Sustainable Resource Development

Federal budget is good, but disparity in provincial health transfer remains

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

Today, the Government of Canada delivered its 2011 Budget. Overall, the Alberta government is supportive of the direction of the federal budget. Their budget, similar to Alberta's fiscal approach, contains modest spending increases, no new taxes and no damaging cuts.

The federal government delivered on its promise to lower corporate income to 15 per cent from 16.5 per cent, while not introducing any new tax increases. This is good for the country and good for Alberta. Keeping taxes low puts money in the pockets of Albertans and Canadians and in the economy, while at the same time improving our competitiveness and attracting more investment to the province and the country.

We are supportive of the federal government's accelerated plan to eliminate its deficit and we are glad to see that they are not doing this on the backs of the provinces through reduced transfer payments or increased taxes. Eliminating the federal deficit will help ensure the country's long-term economic prosperity.

While Alberta is supportive of the overall budget, we are disappointed that, once again, our call for equal treatment under the Canada Health Transfer has been ignored, with no indication whatsoever of a plan to bring us up to the same level as other provinces. Alberta remains the only province in Canada that receives below average federal support for health care. All provinces except Ontario receive at least $773 per person in CHT cash. Alberta receives only $533 per person. This is highly discriminatory. This translates to nearly $900 million that the federal government owes the people of Alberta.

We are also concerned that there are a number of tax measures in the budget that could have a negative effect on the oil and gas industry and impact job growth in the energy sector. We will be looking more closely to determine its impact as we go through the federal budget in more detail.

Overall, the federal budget appears to be a fairly balanced and conservative approach to eliminating the deficit and to budgeting for 2011-12.

-Ed Stelmach

Premier of Alberta

Amateurs Help Unearth the Mysteries of Dinosaur Provincial Park

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

Research into the lives and deaths of dinosaurs is being conducted by a combination of experts and regular people in Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Brooks, Alberta.

Participants in the Bonebed 30 Guided Excavation come from all walks of life and have played a key role in excavating the remains of herbivorous dinosaurs, carnivorous dinosaurs, turtles and crocodiles. These fossils, and the data they yield, are part of a long-term Bonebed research project being lead by the Royal Tyrrell Museum in cooperation with Dinosaur Provincial Park.

Set in the breathtaking landscape of the badlands, the dig site is part of a mass graveyard that may be as large as 10,000 square metres. Located in the lower part of the Dinosaur Park formation, and dating back approximately 76.8 million years, the rock layers are packed with the remains of thousands of horned dinosaurs called Centrosaurus apertus, and peppered with fossils from large carnivorous dinosaurs like Gorgosaurus libratus and small carnivores from the dromaeosaurid family.

To date, chisel and brush in hand, the team has unearthed more than 60 elements, including a 60cm wide parietal bone that was part of Centrosaurus' impressive frill.

'A 75cm long humerus that was exposed in 2010 is still in the ground and I can hardly wait for the summer so we can work on getting it out,' said Marie Tounissoux, the palaeontological technician in charge of the program. 'Not knowing exactly what else might be discovered during the dig is what makes this experience so thrilling. I think the new Bonebed 30 video really captures that excitement.'

Dinosaur Provincial Park is arguably the best location in the world to find and excavate the remains of Late Cretaceous dinosaurs, as it is famous for yielding high-quality specimens, and lots of them!

The Bonebed 30 Guided Excavation is a fully-authentic dig, and in order to maintain the scientific integrity of the work, it is only available to six people per day, and is limited to participants aged 14 years or older. It is truly a unique opportunity to fulfill what has been a lifelong dream for many: to uncover dinosaur bones never before seen by the human eye. To learn more or to get involved, visit www.dinosaurpark.ca.

-Brad Tucker

Visitor Services Coordinator Dinosaur Provincial Park

Action on allegations about health care in Alberta

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

Opposition politicians have made some serious allegations about health care in Alberta. Those same politicians are also trying to create a culture of angst about our health system.

To address these allegations, this morning I faxed a letter to the Chairman of the Health Quality Council of Alberta and I formally directed the Council to review wait times for emergency department services and for cancer services.

The Council will set its own terms of reference for its investigation. These terms will be made public, as will the Council's report and recommendations following the independent Review. The Council will also select the people it requires to assist with this independent Review.

If emergency care or cancer care have been compromised by delays or long waiting lists, we want the Council to tell all Albertans exactly what happened, why, and how to prevent it from happening in the future.

If any medical care-provider wants to bring forward evidence that patients have been harmed or that physicians' abilities to do their jobs have been compromised, we want the Council to get to the bottom of that too. As Minister of Health, I also directed that this independent Review must utilize Section 9 of the Alberta Evidence Act, which means that a participant will not be held liable for the disclosure of any information, or of any document, to the Council for the purpose of this independent Review. I also directed the Council to 'take whatever steps it deems necessary to maintain confidentiality of the people who participate within this process.'

The Premier and I have been very clear that the Council should feel free go wherever the evidence leads. Therefore, while this independent Review is focused on emergency and cancer care wait times, the Council has wide latitude to receive information regarding any allegations and also to determine how to deal with such information.

The Council has a solid track record in conducting investigations into serious health issues, including most recently the government's response to the H1N1 flu outbreak. The Council has never been shy about its findings, nor about holding our feet to the fire; so I would expect nothing less on this occasion.

Meanwhile, if anyone has evidence or proof to substantiate any of these serious allegations, it is your duty to bring that evidence to the attention of the Health Quality Council of Alberta, or to the Auditor General of Alberta, or to the police.

Our government's focus remains on putting patients first and on improving our publicly funded health care system.

-Gene Zwozdesky

Minister, Alberta Health and Wellness

Energy policy sought

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

Energy Minister Ron Liepert's appetite for a Canadian energy framework is well documented. He has doggedly pursued a national energy policy to coordinate and secure Canada's energy future.

But today, Liepert told delegates at an international energy conference the picture is actually much bigger.

'To go a step forward, what we really need is a continental energy framework,' Leipert told an audience at the World Heavy Oil Congress, at Edmonton's Shaw Conference Centre. Energy ministers from across Canada will meet in Edmonton later this year, and Liepert hopes to secure agreements to attempt to establish a national policy.

'We will move forward this summer,' the minister said.

Liepert, an aide to Premier Peter Lougheed during national energy policy negotiations in the 1980s, said a 'coherent national strategy' would guide development decisions to both maximize returns to Canadians and ensure critical power and fuel supplies to a nation dependent on consistent, reliable and affordable supply.

The minister urged delegates at the conference to put their minds together to address challenges facing industry in an increasingly complex operating environment.

'Now, more than ever the world needs stable, reliable sources of energy,' Liepert said. There are about 900 delegates from 30 nations meeting at the Congress, which runs through Thursday. Most are representatives of major national and private sector oil companies, but a number are from government, academic circles and other professional disciplines.

- David Sands

Social media has energy

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

Social media is on the minds of men and women usually occupied with issues such as global income disparities, carbon markets, energy security, disaster management and shifting geopolitical realities.

It has been a factor in separate discussions of all of those issues at CERAWeek 2011, where academics, chairs and directors of multi-nationals, hundreds of corporate VPs, government bureaucrats and consultants are putting their minds together.

Not that these people are issuing their thoughts via facebook, wikis, twitter or Yammer.

In fact, CERAWeek's own social media presence is subdued. It has a twitterfeed - @CERAWeek - and encourages people to tweet with the hashtag #ceraweek. That's pretty much the extent of it, although it has impressive online tools for delegates.

Social media is being seriously talked about here because these serious people see it seriously affecting and changing the precise issues they need to talk about.

BP CEO Rick Dudley, in a speech focused on the Deepwater Horizon lessons, made it a touchstone: 'We also learned a lot about what crisis management means in a world of 24-hour communications with massive social media...'

Philip Lader, Chairman of WPP Plc (Just Google him, it'll keep the blog shorter) had a blunt warning: Don't just watch social media, be a part of it, but 'If there is any gap between reality and representation, it places a greater strain on your credibility and authenticity.'

Finally, after emerging as a consideration in various issues all week, it got a starring role in the first topic this morning: Harbingers of Change? Social Media, Demographics, and the Middle East and North Africa.

In that context, author Clay Shirky (Cognitive Surplus) said social media represents a not-so-secret meeting place where leaderless revolutions begin, foment and swell. Think, he suggested, of why Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi banned soccer as unrest spread. It wasn't that he didn't like soccer, it was the stadium -- a mass of people, together, talking.

'If you can understand why he was afraid of a soccer stadium, you can understand why he is afraid of facebook.'

Look deeper than text messages spreading word of a protest to occur. Seeds of the uprisings were planted, germinated and nurtured in social media long ago, as diverse and sometimes opposing people 'met,' found common ground and formed a common cause.

'The long game here is the one to pay attention to,' Shirky said, noting that this is a positive lesson for leaders (unless they happen to be dictators).

Nations that want to nurture their own population's human capital should be equipping their people to do that.

'Put an ICT (Information Communications Technology) tool in everyone's hand.'

- David Sands

Sorry I asked... Oil sands Q's from oilmen and women

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

With several questions submitted by the audience unanswered, the clock ran out a panel discussion on oil sands development at CERAWeek 2011 in Houston, a large gathering of energy industry execs, academics and involved bureaucrats.

Curious -- and a little surprised at the interest - I asked CERA to share the unanswered questions from this forum, so at least we could know what an audience like this wants to know.

The panel was, The Canadian Oil Sands: Which Markets Will Be Able to Absorb the Planned Supply Increases? and as spelled out in the post linked above, it had reps from Government of Alberta, an oil sands producer/refiner, an uninvolved refiner and a hands-off state-owned oil company investor.

Here were the remaining Q's, obviously many not aimed at Government but others on the panel:

Q: What percentage of the (refinery) conversion capacity needed to handle oil sands rather than heavy crude from Latin America is already in place or under construction?

Q: If capacity to the Gulf Coast gets delayed could there be a shortage on the Gulf Coast?

Q: There is a perception that oil sands is environmentally dirty -- any concern about investing in this as your company will be seen as not having a 'green' image?

Q: Could we see energy independence in oil in North America - as we have seen in natural gas - with shale oil and oil sands? What impact would this have on oil prices, would it be similar to natural gas prices now with shale gas finds?

Q: At what differentials does (carrying oil sands to Gulf Coast refiners by ship) make sense? Will the pipeline all the way to U.S. Gulf Coast make sense? What are the differentials that make that happen?

Q: What are the implications of pending carbon legislation such as cap and trade?

Q: How does opportunity crude (such as) synthetic crude link with energy and carbon efficiency?

Q: Upgraders -- can you talk to the dynamics that drive the need for development?

Q: How many upgraders will be built in the next decade?

Q: Is SAG-D here for the next decade, or what is the next technology and when?

Q: In 2005-06 Canadian oil to California was less than 2%, in 2010 it is close to 7%, how will growth in oil sands change California LCFS (Low Carbon Fuel Standard) supply?

Q: What, if anything, are you hearing regarding Enbridge problems impacting (whether) the U.S. State Department will approve the Keystone XL?

Q: Synthetic crude vs bitumen exports -- what drives the dynamics between which one is exported, and which one is needed?

Q: You mentioned oil sands don't decline like conventional, does that apply to mining and SAG-D?

- David Sands

Midnight oil, morning meeting

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

He didn't look like someone who'd spent 18 hours in airline adventures trying to get from Edmonton to Houston, but he did.

David Morhart, Chief of Oil Sands Strategy and Operations for Alberta Energy, had a full room for his opening presentation at the global energy conference called CERAWeek 2011 in Houston this morning.

Morhart explained that Alberta's energy story goes far beyond oil sands, but that was the focus as Richard Grissom of Gulf Coast refiner Valero, Mike Palmer of oil sands and refining interest Marathon, and Hongbin Hou of Chinese national Sinopec followed up by explaining their respective assessments of that resource.

In a story that may be familiar to Albertans, Palmer said oil majors like Marathon see in the oil sands what they most need for their customers and shareholders: size and ability to access.

'And Canada is a very stable environment,' Palmer noted.

Sinopec's Hongbin Hu said that company made the relatively recent decision to partner with existing oil sands players for the same reasons, plus another that doesn't get a lot of attention. While Alberta often points to a west coast export system as a way to diversify its customer base, turn that around.

Right now, he said, the bulk of China's imported supply comes from the Middle East, with smaller barrels-per-day from a broader base that hasn't got capacity to rapidly grow.

'We need a diversified import supply,' and whether oil sands crude is directly shipped or displaces competing markets for other crudes, 'Canada will be more and more important in the future.'

Richard Grissom noted that California refineries are typically well-suited to handle Canadian heavy oils like oil sands, designed to process heavy oil now from declining production fields in, largely, Latin America.

But while about 100,000 bpd of our oil currently reaches the Gulf Coast refiners, that's dwarfed by the consumption and capacity - Mexico's heavy oil export to the Gulf Coast refiners is about 900,000 bpd, Venezeula's is 800,000 and California itself is a significant producer.

- David Sands

A History of Great Canadian Women

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

A History of Great Canadian Women (Blog)

Women's rights have come a long way, in large part from the efforts of our predecessors--women not content with the status quo who were pioneers in their fields and leaders in the fight for equality. International Women's Week (March 7-11, 2011) and International Women's Day (March 8, 2011) honour the past efforts of women and look to the present and future to ensure that all women in Alberta and around the world have equal rights, opportunities and a life free from violence. In honour of International Women's Week, here are some of Canada's most interesting and influential women:

1. One of Canada's most famous women, Laura Secord, made her mark in history in the War of 1812, when she walked alone and defenseless, through occupied and dangerous territory for a distance of 32 kilometers to warn British forces of an impending American attack.

2. Dr. Emily Stowe was the first woman in Canada to practice medicine. Universities in Canada refused her admission, so she had to receive her medical training in the United States. When she returned to Canada to become a doctor, she also became a passionate crusader for women's rights, creating Canada's first suffrage group in 1876.

3. Carrie Matilda Derick was the first woman to attain the rank of professor at a Canadian university, with her appointment to the Department of Botany at McGill University in 1912. She worked tirelessly to promote her far-reaching vision of political and educational equality for women.

4. Agnes Macphail was the first woman elected to the House of Commons in 1921--the first Canadian federal election in which women had the vote.

5. In 1928, Canada's Olympic team included women for the first time. The women who represented our country went on to became household names in the 1920s: Fanny 'Bobbie' Rosenfeld, Ethel Smith and Ethel Catherwood.

6. In 1929, women were legally declared 'persons' under the law. We can thank Alberta's Famous Five--Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby and Henrietta Muir Edwards--and the Persons Case for this feat.

7. The name Emily Carr is synonymous with Canadian art and writing. Carr became most famous in the 1930s for her compelling canvases of British Columbia's landscape and her documentation of Native villages.

8. In 1982, NDP MP Margaret Mitchell was openly laughed at in the House of Commons when she raised the issue of violence against women. The outcry from women brought national attention to the issue.

9. Thanks to Sandra Lovelace's successful appeal in 1985, to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations, Aboriginal women in Canada no longer lose their status under the Indian Act through marriage to a non-Aboriginal man.

10. It was January 1992, on NASA's space shuttle Discovery, that Roberta Bondar became the first neurologist in space and Canada's first female astronaut.

Ring around the city

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

We all know what it's like to be stuck in traffic. It is one of the most frustrating parts of driving. All we wish for when sitting in our cars is a well designed road that it is going to get us where we need to be - efficiently and quickly. Well, this is no longer a dream for folks in the capital region because the final leg of Edmonton's ring road was officially given the green light at an event in Fort Saskatchewan last week, where Premier Ed Stelmach was joined by Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette at the annual meeting of the chamber of commerce.

'You can have abundant resources, as we do in Alberta and make great products, as Alberta companies do, but you must also be able to move your products where they need to go, when they need to get there,' Stelmach said.

The announcement launches the final stage of construction on the northeast section of Edmonton's ring road - connecting Whitemud Drive East to the Manning Freeway. Construction is expected to be complete by the fall of 2016, and represents the largest transportation project in Alberta's history.

All told the northeast leg will include:

andbull;27 kilometers of 6 and 8 -lane divided roadway

andbull;8 interchanges

andbull;9 flyovers

andbull;2 river structures

andbull;47 bridge structures

The NE leg will be completed as a public-private partnership, or P3, and will wrap up roughly three years sooner than if it had been built using conventional methods.

'Now is the time to make investments like these,' Premier Stelmach said. 'We're going to see a big global boom, so we have to move on this project. It's just the right thing to do.'

Click here for more information on the Anthony Henday Northeast.

-Scott Sehested

Alberta Transportation

Energy issues, taken seriously

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

A former chairman of OPEC. Chairman of Total. CEOs of BP, LUKOIL, Vestas Wind Systema, Microsoft, Peabody. Then there's former US Presidents Clinton and Bush and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

The attendee list of CERAWeek 2011 in Houston is notable for not only the big brains, but the sheer big: There are about 2,000 delegates to this 30th anniversary of CERA's leading-edge dialogue on energy issues.

Among them, four from the Government of Alberta. Alberta representatives from the departments of Energy and Environment are speaking on panels and in private meetings with the goal of both educating and themselves learning.

Alberta has a significant profile at this event. Its energy resources are widely known among these delegates. That's true even among the approximately 200 major media covering the event: In two-hour and forty minute series of media interviews yesterday, not a single journalist struggled with the concept of in situ oil sands drilling, and some even knew differences between CSS and SAG-D. This is not common!

Monday was a light schedule. The event gets rolling in force Tuesday, and I'm fifteen minutes away from being able to change that to 'today.'

Good night!

- David Sands

Investing in the Pursuit of Excellence

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST
It was a remarkable opening week of competition at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax - Team Alberta racked up 33 medals, with 11 of them earned on the second day!
I am very proud of our athletes, and proud that the Government of Alberta has supported them by investing in international standard facilities at the Canmore Nordic Centre and Canada Olympic Park.

The investment in these Olympic legacy venues has paid dividends for Team Alberta's young biathletes who swept the podium in all of the individual men's races. Leading the charge was our flag bearer Scott Gow, taking home gold in all four of his races. In all, Alberta's biathletes took the podium 11 times.

Week one success spread beyond the biathlon range. Speed skaters sprinted to 10 medals around the outdoor Oval, and our freestyle skiers showed great form with four podium finishes. Undefeated throughout the round-robin, ringette takes home silver, and women's curling garnered a silver medal. Alberta's hockey men kept their medal streak alive as the only team to have medaled in six consecutive editions of the Games after a bronze medal win over BC.

Stay tuned for more great performances in week 2 for Team Alberta!

- Pat Lechelt
Chef de Mission, Team Alberta

Get connected with Team Alberta at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamab. The Facebook page highlights athlete performances, photos, quotes, and provides information on Team Alberta's progress in its quest for the podium.

Cabinet Tour Blog - Day 6: The Ag Minister's news

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

Agriculture Minister Jack Hayden was taking some portfolio-specific good news to his meetings in the 2011 cabinet tour stops.

'We're looking at a great growing season, we really are,' Hayden said. 'We've got good moisture levels, good moisture reserves all across the province from this winter.'

Happily, that includes the Peace Country.

'Last year was a very dry year there especially, and they've got good snows right now.'

But as the Agriculture Minister, he's also taking a lot of questions from concerned landowners who have been lobbied by opponents about properly rights legislation passed by the Legislature.

'I think it may be human nature to believe bad news, and there are always people who take advantage of that for political reasons,' Hayden said. 'So in a lot of instances these meetings are giving us an opportunity to clarify the issue.'

One effective way to do that, he said, is pointing out who the legislators were that debated the bills in question.

'Once people realize that a third of our caucus are landowners just like them, they also realize that we wouldn't do anything to jeopardize their families and rights.'

- David Sands, Public Affairs Bureau

Cabinet Tour Blog - Day 5: Fort McMurray

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

When you think of Fort McMurray, you think of oil sands. But for residents of 'Fort Mac,' the challenges of managing sustainable growth of the oil sands sector go far beyond the reach of just a single government department.

That's why Jon Tupper, President of the Chamber of Commerce in Fort McMurray, was so happy to see the cabinet tour touch down in that city on Tuesday. 'When you look at growth as rapid as Fort McMurray's, most of the issues are multi-departmental and multi-ministerial,' he said.

Premier Ed Stelmach and fully half of his cabinet were in Fort McMurray on Tuesday, meeting with the mayor and councillors of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo as well as with local residents, business owners, community leaders, reporters, oil sands workers and others.

Mayor Melissa Blake spoke of the long list of policies and programs that the Government of Alberta had initiated to assist the region in dealing with unprecedented growth, such as the Responsible Actions plan, the Oil Sands Secretariat, the Comprehensive Regional Infrastructure Sustainability Plan, Land Use Framework and residential land supply. But both Mayor Blake and Premier Stelmach agreed there was 'more to do.'

That 'more' was what the 10 cabinet ministers heard in the hours that followed. In one on one sessions with Ministers, local leaders made detailed, specific pitches for enhancement of existing programs and development of new ones.

Later, in a media availability, Premier Stelmach announced that Alberta will build a 100-bed seniors facility, as the unique market situation in Fort McMurray prevented private sector involvement in a timely manner.

The Premier was also asked by media about industrial and commercial land supply and noted the province's actions to date in opening up new land in the region. He also reiterated comments he's made in recent speeches about the need for Alberta to access Asian markets for export and attract investment from those burgeoning economies.

The local media were also happy to have so many cabinet ministers in one spot at one time. Media find the cabinet tours 'incredibly valuable,' said veteran reporter Carol Christian, writer for the Fort McMurray Today.

'It gives us face-to-face access that builds relationships,' Christian said, noting she had interviewed about four ministers and the Premier. 'It also builds respect both ways.'

- David Sands, Public Affairs Bureau

Cabinet Tour Blog Day 5: Fort McMurray (Part 2)

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

Tuesday's cabinet tour of Fort McMurray got an unplanned and real-life example of the unique issues facing the community.

As Premier Ed Stelmach and most of the ministers heard the Regional Municipality and industry and human services reps talk about crippling traffic congestion, two ministers were unable to return from separate meetings downtown.

Ministers Jonathan Denis and Thomas Lukaszuk were cut off from the meeting site - and cut off from the rest of Alberta - by a semi that jack-knifed on Highway 63. Traffic could go north, but in a daylong swirling snowfall, nothing could drive up McMurray's Beacon Hill to go south.

Although twinning on Highway 63, along with new bridges and overpasses, is creating a better and safer commute, it remains a reality that north of Highway 881, traffic only has one route.

- David Sands, Public Affairs Bureau

Cabinet Tour Blog - Week 1

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

Steven Kwasny has a bone to pick with cynics who think young Albertans don't pay attention to what's going on in government.

'Students and young people are paying attention,' he said during Wednesday's cabinet tour stop in Red Deer. 'We are not apathetic. We care deeply about issues, so don't discount us.'

Kwasny met with cabinet ministers in his role as president of the Red Deer College Student's Association, and stressed concerns his fellow students have over funding for post-secondary schools and tuition fees.

He said the cabinet tour gives young Albertans a chance to learn about the nuances of government, and reminds ministers that all Albertans - young and old - care about fundamentals like health care, housing and the environment.

'There is a sense that (the younger generation) will have to take ownership of all these issues. The tour gives us direct contact with ministers. We see their human side and get a sense of who they are,' he said.

The Red Deer stop also included discussions with city council about mass transit, emergency services and small business issues, as well as a stop at Golden Circle senior centre where much of the discussion focused on homecare and surgery wait lists.

In addition to the Red Deer stop, cabinet ministers and MLAs also visited Camrose, where they met with about 60 people to talk about the government's 5-year plan for health care, and reiterated the government's commitment to landowner rights.

Further stops at the Reynolds museum in Wetaskiwin and the Steller Rec Centre brought about similar discussions with other groups of Albertans, municipal officials, school boards and community representatives.

All told cabinet minister and MLAs visited 17 communities across the province this week. The tour resumes Feb. 15 with stops in Fort McMurray, Bonnyville and Cold Lake.

Cabinet Tour Blog - Day 4: Grande Prairie & Drayton Valley

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

Six cabinet ministers and an MLA walk into a campus bar...

...that's not the start of a joke, it was the start of a wide open discussion at Howler's Lounge at Grande Prairie Regional College, where a class of political science students joined ministers Gene Zwozdesky, Mel Knight, Heather Klimchuk, Hector Goudreau, Yvonne Fritz, Luke Ouellette and MLA Wayne Drysdale for some lively discussion today.

The bar scene capped the end of a day spent in Grande Prairie, where health minister Gene Zwozdesky unveiled some new home-care technologies that will help improve independence for seniors who want to continue living in their own homes as they get older.

They include electronic reminders to take medicine, an emergency system that alerts caregivers if a senior falls or is injured, and new ways to reduce the dangers of wandering - which can often be associated with aging and dementia.

The technologies will be rolled out on a test basis in Grande Prairie and Medicine Hat, and aim to help seniors safely maintain their dignity, while improving they way caregivers look after their patients.

Between the announcement - which also included news of a new MRI machine for the region - and the bar, the ministers also visited the Stonebridge Inn, where Albertans from all over the region turned out to talk about everything from highways to health care.

Cabinet Tour Blog - Day 2: Edmonton & Leduc

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

It was coffee-talk time for cabinet ministers on Tuesday morning as they congregated at Edmonton's Sutton Place Hotel for java and conversation with members of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.

Premier Stelmach chatting with Susan McGee, Chair of the Edmonton Homeward Trust

Around 80 people joined the Premier and Chamber Chair Bernie Kollman to kick off the gathering. Premier Stelmach got a big hug from Susan McGee, Chair of the Edmonton Homeward Trust as he announced the plan to end homelessness has helped more than 1,400 people get off Edmonton streets.

The room was buzzing for 90 minutes as conversations focused on everything from health care improvements to the upcoming budget.

After a morning full of coffee and conversation, Ministers branched out across the city to do some mainstreeting with people in coffee shops and cafes all over Edmonton.

After lunch, they sat down with seniors at five different centres throughout the city, to get a first hand look at the care our seniors are receiving.

The Ministers wrapped up the afternoon by heading off in opposite directions. One group went to Leduc for an opportunity to meet with people at the Leduc Recreation Centre with MLA George Rogers.

The other squad ventured north to the Edmonton Garrison at CFB Edmonton. They were hosted by base commander Lt.-Col. Tom Bradley and the officers of the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) regiment. The tour included a briefing describing the 14,000-member base community -- practically a whole town in itself, complete with a school, recreation facilities, and, of course, a Tim Hortons.

The troops provided an update on their deployments abroad, the outstanding support they receive from communities in the Edmonton area, and some of their thoughts about current Alberta issues. The visit also included the opportunity to ride in some of the vehicles that keep our troops safe in their dangerous fields of work -- the Light Armoured Vehicle mentioned above, and a Leopard tank.

'It was a great opportunity to learn about the skills and perseverance needed to be a part of one of the world's finest forces,' said a goggled and helmeted Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette as he climbed down from the turret.

Added the Transportation Minister: 'I'm sure all Albertans appreciate the work our troops do, to keep us all safe and secure. On behalf of Premier Stelmach and our government, we want all of our soldiers to know we support you in your efforts to make our world a safer place.'

'We're proud to open our doors and provide a view into our operations, our role in the community, and our contributions to the province and the country,' says Lt.-Col Bradley.

Ministers wrapped up the evening with a few sandwiches and some conversation with community league representatives from all over Edmonton. Thanks to the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, which represents 150 Edmonton neighborhoods, for hosting a lively discussion at Sherbrooke Hall.

'We have priorities for the budget, priorities for bills in the spring session of the legislature, and the most important priority of listening to Albertans which is why we are here tonight,' said Education Minister Dave Hancock in his opening comments.

Ministers sat at individual tables, while local community representatives moved around the room to talk about the issues foremost on their minds. Discussions with the more than 80 community leaders included recreational programming, improving relationships with Aboriginal and immigrant communities, support for social programs, infrastructure spending, a balanced budget, snow removal, shinny hockey, and more.

By the time they were ready to close the hall for the night, Minister Hancock, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky and Edmonton-Calder MLA Doug Elniski were the last to leave.

Cabinet Tour Blog - Day 1: Calgary & Airdrie

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

The weather that hit Calgary overnight put a slight delay on the start of our Cabinet tour today. Premier Stelmach and 16 cabinet ministers arrived at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce after a one hour travel delay, and saw road crews hard at work clearing snow from Deerfoot Trail.

It was a full house at the Chamber, and the cabinet ministers had a great discussion about everything from health care costs, to energy and the environment.

Then it was over to Calgary City hall to sit down with Mayor Nenshi and members of his council, where the cabinet ministers and councillors talked about the airport tunnel, the upcoming budget and MSI funding. Then everyone headed out to meet the media.

(courtesy Duane Starr, City of Calgary)

In Airdrie, the Premier and a smaller group of Ministers had a wide-ranging, two-hour discussion with members of the Chamber of Commerce, city councilors and school trustees. 'We had an excellent exchange of ideas on how we can work together on building new schools, improving ambulance service and health care in this community,' said Premier Stelmach. 'Thank you to Chamber President Mike DeBokx, Mayor Peter Brown, and all of those who took the time to meet my Ministers and me. Listening to Albertans is the most important part of our job.'

Who will be Canada's Next Olympic and Paralympic heroes?

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

On February 12, 2011, Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.

Scott Gow, a biathlete from Calgary, was named as Alberta's Flag Bearer for the 2011 Canada Winter Games Opening Ceremony. The Ceremony will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia on February 11th.

For two thrilling weeks, Canada embraced the Games on an astounding scale. From the flood of humanity in the streets, to the crowds that lined up for hours to experience anything Olympic, to the millions of people across the country who crowded around television sets each day.

At the core of all the buzz were the athletes. They started slowly and finished with a roar by winning more gold medals than any other nation in the history of the Olympic Winter Games.

Alumni of Team Alberta won four of those 14 gold medals. Two silver medalists also competed for Alberta, including Jenn Heil, who was the first Canadian to take the podium in Vancouver. In total, 16 athletes and two coaches on the Canadian Team began their Olympic journey by competing for Alberta at the Canada Winter Games.

As thousands of people across the country don their red and white clothing and Olympic mittens one more time to relive the national pride on this historic anniversary, I will be watching for Alberta's next Olympic, Paralympic or NHL hero as the competition gets underway for the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax.

On February 11, 337 athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff representing 49 communities across Alberta will march into the Halifax Metro Centre eager to contend for the podium in 20 sports.

Several of these young athletes have achieved success provincially and nationally, but these Games will represent the first major step in their journey to achieving their dreams of competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

From 10-year-old table tennis player Edward Guo of Edmonton, to Team Alberta's largest contingent of athletes from men's and women's hockey, somewhere in the mix is the country's next Jenn Heil, Hayley Wickenheiser, Brian McKeever, Kyle Shewfelt, John Kucera, Chandra Crawford, or Jordan Eberle.

Go Team Alberta Go!

- Pat Lechelt
Chef de Mission, Team Alberta

Get connected with Team Alberta's mission for the podium at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax by following the Team on Facebook. This page will highlight athlete performances, quotes, and provide up-to-the-minute information on Team Alberta's progress in its quest for the podium.

It's all about who you know...

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

Last month I went to Los Angeles with Alberta industry people to meet key players in the U.S. film, television and digital media community. Joining me was Alberta's film commissioner; Calgary's and Edmonton's film commissioners; and representatives from the Alberta Association of Motion Picture and Television Unions (AAMPTU) and the Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association (AMPIA).

As a team, and individually, we met with representatives from Warner Bros., Walt Disney, ABC Studios, Dreamworks, Fox, CBS Films, Walden Media, HBO and Sony. We also made new contacts with several independent producers, including Alcon Entertainment, Mandate Pictures, Macari Edelstein Filmed Entertainment, Media Rights Capital, Greenhouse Studios, and Sobini Films.

These meetings were important, not only because the industry often generates upwards of $150 million annually for our province and employs some 3,000 Albertans, but because we were meeting with people who can help us grow it even more. Film, television and digital media production has been, and can be again, an engine for economic prosperity for our province.

This is an industry that is very much relationship-based. As the saying goes 'It's all about who you know'. So, this trip was not only about selling the opportunities and expertise that Alberta offers but also about building personal relationships, and that can't be done over the phone or through Skype. It was also about the Government of Alberta showing its support for the men, women and organizations that make up our production industry.

When meeting with the united 12-member Alberta team, these key Hollywood industry reps learned just how serious and committed our entire industry is about expanding film, television and digital media production here. We had the opportunity to tell them first-hand about the advantages our province offers: diverse locations, talent, expertise and incentives and to hear what they need from all of us to be successful.

While no contracts were signed - and that's not what we expected to happen on this trip - I'm optimistic that this venture will bear fruit for Alberta in the near future, as we were able to attract new potential projects and advance projects already looking at our province. Collectively we'll continue to be aggressive and flexible with foreign production companies and the independents in our efforts to build our profile showcase the potential our province offers, and increase shooting in our province.

Here's to making more movie magic in Alberta!

-Hon. Lindsay Blackett

Minister of Culture and Community Spirit

World class environment monitoring

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 MST

I was very pleased to be in Calgary today talking about ways to improve the way we manage oil and gas in this province.

Development of oil and gas is so important to all of us. The industry is a mainstay of many communities right across Alberta, generating income that supports the retail, hospitality, construction and many other sectors. Government revenues that support things like health care and education are hugely dependant on energy royalties.

Equally important is the way development takes place. The environment is something we all care about very deeply. We must always make sure that the proper controls are in place to minimize environmental impacts and protect public safety.

It became clear to me as I headed up a task force looking at the regulatory system that the landscape for oil and gas has become increasingly busy and complex and that we as government need to respond. This was certainly a theme we heard from those who participated in our review.

Building on the decades of experience managing oil and gas we have in Alberta we have an opportunity to increase coordination and integration in how we work. I encourage you to visit the Alberta Energy website for more information, and to find out more about all the recommendations and background on this project.

- Diana McQueen
Parliamentary Assistant for Energy

Premier Ed Stelmach's comments today

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 MST

My decision today....

andbull; Since the New Year I have been spending the last few weeks asking my Caucus to indicate to me their intentions for the next provincial election.

andbull; I am impressed by the passion of my caucus colleagues and their desire to serve Albertans.

andbull; They firmly believe in the mandate that Albertans gave us in the last election- the largest majority for a new Premier in Alberta's history.

andbull; Our members are also equally committed to continuing in their role as members of the PC Caucus and fight in the next election.

andbull; I have been asking these good men and women to make a minimum commitment of five years. It is a commitment to serve Albertans and those in public office know that this service comes with a personal sacrifice.

andbull; As I have been having these discussions I have also been reflecting on my own commitment to serve beyond the next election.

andbull; Upon much reflection and consultation with family and close friends, I have determined that after 25 years of public service I am not prepared to serve another full term as Premier.

andbull; Therefore I have decided to announce today I will not be running as a candidate in the next general election.

andbull; There is no doubt that my decision today will come as a shock to many and a disappointment to my friends and Albertans.

andbull; I am grateful to all those who supported me - who gave me the opportunity to raise integrity and honesty into government for the benefit of all Albertans.

andbull; At a further date, I will provide written notice to the President of the PC Party, my intention to resign as leader.

andbull; In due course, a full, fair and transparent leadership race will be held to select my successor.

andbull; Until I provide the formal notice of intent to resign, I will continue to govern to fulfill commitments I made in the last general election.

andbull; And to advance the interests of Alberta to the best of my ability and will put my full effort into this work - as I always have.

andbull; And to this end, we will present a budget that shows the way to being balanced on a fully consolidated basis in 2013 - a year later than we had hoped.

andbull; It will be a budget that will be received by most as tough yet responsible.

andbull; But it will not be a budget that guts funding to municipalities, mothballs health projects underway or halts school, and road construction at a time when people need work and the prices for construction are good.

andbull; The budget my government brings in will use the cash we saved during the boom to help us through the bust and position us to leap ahead of the nation and the continent.

andbull; My successor will be under no obligation to go to the polls in March of 2012.

andbull; That was my timetable and mine alone.

andbull; My successor has the parliamentary authority to call an election anytime up to the constitutional deadline of March of 2013.

andbull; No one needs to be stampeded into a decision. Lets all take the time to get this right.

andbull; I have always put my family, my constituents, my province and my party ahead of myself.

andbull; So I say to you this as directly as I can.

andbull; There is a profound danger that the next election campaign will focus on personality and US style negative, attack politics that is directed at me personally.

andbull; The danger is that it could allow for an extreme right party to disguise itself as a moderate party by focussing on personality - on me personally.

andbull; This type of US style wedge politics is coming into Canada, and it comes at our peril.

andbull; Albertans deserve to have better level of public debate on our policy options.

andbull; Alberta must move forward to address the challenges of the future.

andbull; Alberta must be a participant in the global community.

andbull; Alberta must lead the way in responsible resource development.

andbull; Alberta must not look backward when all the world is looking for modern leadership.

andbull; As a grandson of immigrants who came to this country to harness a better future for their children out of a piece of prairie they could claim as their own, I believe in the good and truth of private enterprise and democracy.

andbull; I believe deeply in democratic institutions and the parliamentary system of government that has served Canada so well.

andbull; And I believe that the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta is the best institution we have to unite Albertans around a positive, progressive future.

andbull; The PC Party has been a fundamental success story in Alberta politics because it is firmly rooted in our culture - a culture that is conservative, yet looks always to achieving a bold future.

andbull; Thank you.

Ed Stelmach

-Premier of Alberta

Working together to improve your workplace

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 MST

I'm just back from Winnipeg after participating in a conference hosted by the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation (CAALL). Ministers of Labour from across Canada attend these meetings, discuss issues of common interest and look for areas where we can collaborate.

I led a discussion about Employment Standards, focusing on the steps Alberta is taking to strengthen enforcement of our legislation and, as a result, improve working conditions in the province. We all know that fair and safe workplaces are more productive, and I was glad to be able to share our experiences with my colleagues.

We have already implemented an online complaints system in Alberta and we have increased enforcement of health and safety regulations. But that is just the beginning.

I discussed our popular 'Tell your boss where to go' campaign with my colleagues in Winnipeg. The posters are part of an effort designed to give employers the employment standards information they need.

Alberta is going to be proactive when it comes to employment standards. We'll be modernizing our methods for getting information to employers and working directly with them to ensure workers are treated fairly.

I am always looking for ways to enhance and improve our employment conditions for workers in Alberta. My colleagues across the country are doing the same. We all understand that we can help each other do a better job of fostering healthy and productive employment opportunities for our citizens.

A key part of this process is to emphasize to employers and employees that they BOTH have responsibilities, and that we expect all parties to hold up their end of the bargain.

We also discussed important topics such as mental health in the workplace and occupational health and safety for young workers. The role that social media can play in getting messages out to young Albertans about workplace safety was part of this discussion.

Unfortunately, statistics show that young workers are still more likely to be injured on the job. Thankfully, they are also the most savvy when it comes to new media - so we hope to be able to use more Web 2.0 communications methods to encourage them to 'work safe.'

-Thomas Lukaszuk
Minister, Employment and Immigration

The Right to Know

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 MST

They say information is power and power belongs in the hands of the people. The Government of Alberta works for its citizens and believes that Albertans have a right to know what government is doing on their behalf.

We are strongly committed to openness and accountability while balancing our responsibility to guard the personal information you entrust to us. We truly believe in these guiding principles and that this approach strikes the right balance between protecting Albertan's private information and government transparency.

In support of our commitment to transparency, the government continues to make information more accessible by posting it online. In fact there are thousands of pages of information on Government of Alberta websites and I encourage you to check them out.

Information on ministerial office expenses, manifests for government aircraft, environmental site assessments, environment compliance and enforcement information, drinking water quality results, lottery funded program grant recipients, Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding, workplace injury and fatality records, the lobbyist registry, details of government contracts, and progress on affordable housing are a few examples of what can be found on the government's website. Previously this information was only available through a written formal request.

Government is also making general information on programs and services more accessible. For example, the Alberta Supports, Raising Children and the Programs and Services web pages allow Albertans to find the information they need without having to know which department funds or delivers which programs.

I along with my colleagues and the public servants who work for the Government of Alberta take our responsibility for access to information seriously and will continue to be open and transparent with Albertans.

- Heather Klimchuk,

Minister, Service Alberta

We're committed to property rights

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 MST

Over the past number of months we've heard concerns being raised about certain pieces of legislation - the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) and the Land Assembly Project Act (LAPA) - otherwise referred to as Bills 36 and 19.

The intent behind these bills has been wrongly interpreted as an intentional attack on Albertans' private property rights and nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, in our caucus we have over two dozen landowners who are sensitive to this issue. It makes very little sense to suggest, then, that this government would remove existing protections for landowners with these pieces of legislation.

We brought in this legislation to ensure that we have responsible, coordinated, long-term planning in the province - something that all Albertans have a stake in. Coordinated land planning is something that we clearly heard Albertans wanted, and we've seen success with initiatives like the Capital Region Plan.

It was never the government's intention to change the long-standing balance between accommodating the public interest and recognition of the rights of individual Albertans. That was made clear in the Municipal Government Act in 1995.

Albertans should know that I have instructed my ministers to take another look at the legislation to amend any wording that could be misinterpreted and ensure that it clearly reflects our intention, including maintaining respect for landowners' rights.

Any changes that need to be made to better clarify the government's actual intent relative to protecting landowners' rights will be made.

We'll also make sure no regional plans are approved before this review of the legislation is complete.

The intent behind the legislation is sound - providing predictability and certainty for municipal authorities and Albertans that own or use land for business or enjoyment amongst competing and sometime conflicting demands.

This legislation is not about, and will never be about, unfairly extinguishing anyone's existing property rights or impairing any other licenses that Albertans depend on.

- Ed Stelmach
Premier of Alberta

Oil sands opponents; affect and effectiveness

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:00:00 MST

Senator Linda Frum sees something perverse in the selection of targets by environmental lobby groups.

While Canada's oil sands needs to continue to strive to reduce its footprint, the scale of attacks by Greenpeace and its contemporaries on the industry is wildly out of proportion to the environmental impact it currently has, Sen. Frum told the upper chamber in a recent speech.

But more damning, Frum said, was what she saw as a willingness by the environmental groups to actually have more environmental and social damage result from their protests and pressures than would occur without them. That, Frum said - bolstering her charge with real life examples - raises serious questions about motives and morality.

See Senator Frum's full speech in the Hansard for Debates of the Senate by selecting Nov. 3, here. Look under 'Orders of the Day.'

- David Sands

Oil sands and Ontario: That '70s show...

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:00:00 MST

Ontario plays a critical role in oil sands development today; a source of manufacturing, contract professional and trade services, vital supplier, innovator, research hub, refiner and customer.

But then, all provinces have economic stakes in the oil sands (pdf). Still, the central Canadian power has a unique place in the modern history of oil sands development. And if Ontario had not taken that place, there arguably may not have been a modern history.

Ontario Senator Hugh Segal reminded his colleagues in the Upper Chamber of that dusty but important story, in a recent Senate discussion of the 'Importance of Canada's Oil Sands.'

To read his comments, look under Orders of the Day in the Senate Hansard index for Dec. 2 here.

- David Sands

Avon calling... back

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 MST

Cosmetic retailer Avon, which was widely reported to be boycotting fuels derived from oil sands after comments from the environmental lobby group ForestEthics, has sent a letter of clarification to the Canadian Embassy in New York (opens pdfandgt;.

Avon's experience follows similar stories from Levi-Strauss, the Gap, Bed Bath and Beyond, Whole Foods, Timberland and other major corporations.

- David Sands

Fishy story

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 MST

The Globe and Mail published an article today entitled 'Ottawa kept in dark on abnormal fish.'

One premise was that data collected by one particular oil sands-region water monitor - the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP) - suggested the number of abnormalities in fish sampled was increasing.

It doesn't: Data trends are not changing, they show an incidence rate of two per cent, which is within normal, scientifically-acceptable rates for turbid waterways containing mature fish, such as the Athabasca River. And that hasn't changed.

Another premise of the Globe story was that the actual numbers were hidden from the federal government, and others. They weren't, nor could be: the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada and Health Canada are current members of the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program and have full access to all datasets, as do all members of RAMP. Previous members - such as the Pembina Institute - had the same access to the same data reported by the Globe.

The suggestion that RAMP is deliberately hiding information is false.

Data trends that aren't changing and not a concern would not end up on a Minister's desk. Nonetheless, in an effort to improve transparency, RAMP will soon make its datasets publicly available. Further, the Government of Alberta has heard repeated criticism of the RAMP monitoring program, and is committed to establishing a system that satisfies its critics - stay tuned.

- David Sands

Royal Society examines oil sands impacts

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 MST

The Royal Society of Canada's Expert Panel on Environmental and Health Impacts of Canada's Oil Sands Industry made a number of key findings over the course of a more than year-long investigation.

Here are some (We'll be bringing some information and replies from the Government of Alberta as we have a chance to examine the report in detail. Please check back for links and updates):

Health effects:

andbull; There is currently no credible evidence of environmental contaminant exposures from oil sands reaching Fort Chipewyan at levels expected to cause elevated human cancer rates. More monitoring focused on human contaminant exposures is needed to address First Nation and community concerns.

andbull; Highly publicized media reports of downstream contamination from oil sands developments are likely amplifying the considerable concern among downstream residents about their health.

andbull; Environmental contaminants at current levels of exposure are unlikely to cause major health impacts for the general population. Projected additional emissions from expanded operations are not likely to change this expectation.

andbull; There is population level evidence that residents of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) experience a range of health indicators, consistent with 'boom town' impacts and community infrastructure deficits, which are poorer than those of a comparable Alberta region and provincial averages.

UPDATE: See and hear comments by Alberta Health and Wellness.

Water use:

andbull; Current industrial water use demands do not threaten the viability of the Athabasca River system if the Water Management Framework developed to protect in-stream, ecosystem flow needs is fully implemented and enforced.

Water contamination:

andbull; Current evidence on water quality impacts on the Athabasca River system suggests that oil sands development activities are not a current threat to aquatic ecosystem viability. However, there are valid concerns about the current Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP) that must be addressed. The regional cumulative impact on groundwater quantity and quality has not been assessed.

UPDATE: See and hear comments by Alberta Environment on RAMP and on Groundwater monitoring.

Air:

andbull; The current ambient air quality monitoring data for the region show minimal impacts from oil sands development on regional air quality except for noxious odour emission problems over the past two years. Control of NOx emissions and regional acidification potential remain valid concerns.

andbull; The proportion of air emissions from the oil sands industry is expected to grow over the next decade, but, as noted above, will not lead to the oil sands industry being the worst polluter in any category.

Reclamation:

andbull; Functional upland landscapes (soil and vegetation) can be reclaimed with current reclamation strategies, although some potential groundwater issues related to leaching salts require attention. The use of leaf, fibric, humic material (LFH) has substantially enhanced biodiversity in reclaimed uplands.

andbull; The potential for successful reclamation of wetlands, particularly peatland, has not been well demonstrated in the research to date although studies elsewhere indicate more feasibility than generally believed.

andbull; Reclamation is not keeping pace with the rate of land disturbance but research indicates that sustainable uplands reclamation is achievable and ultimately should be able to support traditional land uses. Current practices for obtaining financial security for reclamation liability leave Albertans vulnerable to major financial risks.

UPDATE: See and hear Alberta Environment comments on reclamation liability.

UPDATE 2: Read about Government of Alberta work on 'progressive reclamation.')

GHG emissions:

andbull; The current proportion of Canada's total direct GHG emissions attributable to the oil sands industry is about 5%, compared with 16% for fossil fuel-fired power generation and 27% for transportation, based on 2008 Environment Canada data.

andbull; Canada's GHG emissions have been rising over the period covered by the Kyoto Protocol, an overall increase of 142 million tonnes (24%) from 1990 to 2008. More than 80% of that increase in Canada's GHG emissions was independent of the growth in GHG emissions from the oil sands industry.

andbull; There are some important technological initiatives reducing oil sands GHG emissions and there is some promise for further reductions in GHG emissions intensity .... The oil sands industry has reduced its GHG emissions intensity by 39% from 1990 to 2008 according to Environment Canada.

andbull; Progress has been made by the oil sands industry in reducing its GHG emission per barrel of bitumen produced. Nonetheless, increasing GHG emissions from growing bitumen production creates a major challenge for Canada to meet our international commitments for overall GHG emission reduction that current technology options do not resolve.

UPDATE: See and hear Alberta Environment comments on GHG emissions and climate change.

Tailings:

andbull; Technologies for improved tailings management are emerging but the rate of improvement has not prevented a growing inventory of tailings ponds. Reclamation and management options for wet landscapes derived from tailings ponds have been researched but are not adequately demonstrated.

UPDATE: See and hear Alberta Environment comments on tailings pond reclamation.

UPDATE 2: Additional reading on Alberta's tailings dam safety system.

Regulatory, policy and performance:

andbull; The environmental regulatory capacity of the Alberta and Canadian governments does not appear to have kept pace with the rapid expansion of the oil sands industry over the past decade. The Environmental Impact Assessment process relied upon by decision-makers to determine whether proposed projects are in the public interest has serious deficiencies in relation to international best practice. Environmental data access for cumulative impact assessment needs to improve.

UPDATE 1: See and hear Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner on regulation, policy and performance.

UPDATE 2: See and hear Alberta Environment comment on the environmental approvals process.

UPDATE 3: Alberta Environment has posted a pdf with additional information on the RSC findings and its comments. Download it here.

- David Sands

Climate change progress, por favor

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 MST

Over 190 nations converged in Cancun, Mexico, this week to make progress on an international climate change plan. But at these meetings, 'all inclusive' refers to those who've signed up to build a comprehensive framework to tackle climate change.

Following last year's COP15 meeting in Copenhagen, Alberta was cautiously optimistic about the willingness of major economies to work together - especially those economies responsible for the bulk of global emissions in the coming decades. Heading into Cancun, Alberta's delegation - led by Environment Minister Renner - hoped the momentum would continue, but not everyone shared this view.

Luckily enough, over the first two days of meetings and events, the mood remained positive. Maybe it was the sun; perhaps the food - heck, could have even been the plethora of Mariachi bands in the area. Or perhaps - and here's where I'm leaning - it was the progress being made by those who are committed to a prudent, workable international agreement to first focus on areas where there exists a common ground among nations.

One way to look at it is this: if the global agreement was about designing a house, the Copenhagen Accord would be the general blueprint. Over the next few days in Cancun, we hope that nations can land on some important technical details - the style of the windows, how many bedrooms, and the colour of the kitchen cupboards.

To be clear, these are important details; in climate change discussions, the technical details support adaptation efforts, deforestation reductions, technology sharing and funding mitigation efforts in developing nations.

While these technical details are hashed out, another discussion is taking place - the location of the house. This is essentially the legally-binding document that locks in commitments. This is where the major differences of opinions lie - among nations and between developed versus developing countries.

For Alberta, participating in both the technical detail discussions and the location talks means we are ensuring our voice is heard. Although the hype of Copenhagen is not apparent in Cancun, the stakes remain just as high. We are right in the mix.

- Andy Ridge
Alberta Environment

Ganging up on organized crime

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 MST

I spent this morning at a police warehouse in Calgary surrounded by the type of weaponry we are trying to keep out of our kids' hands and off Alberta's streets. It was a very fitting place to announce the Alberta Gang Reduction Strategy - the latest in a series of tools we are using as part of Alberta's Safe Communities Initiative.

After looking at some of the drugs and guns that were present, it reaffirmed for me exactly how much this strategy is needed and the kind of difference it is going to make in Alberta's communities.

Solicitor General Minister of Public Security Frank Oberle, Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson, Acting Edmonton Police Service Deputy Chief Ken MacKay, and Alison Redford, Minister of Justice and Attorney General look at some of the weaponry seized from gangs in Alberta.

The strategy focuses on what we call the four pillars of gang reduction -- awareness, prevention, intervention and enforcement -- to steer at-risk kids away from gang activity.

We also announced $786,000 in funding for 14 preventative programs aimed at keeping at-risk youth away from gangs. We know that telling kids not to do anything negative is only half the battle; the other half is giving them every opportunity to work at doing something positive. These programs give them that chance.

A new ballistics lab in Calgary will help work on the enforcement side. The Alberta Ballistics Information System will increase turnaround times for ballistics results, which is essential in solving gun crimes - a service we all hope will be much less needed with the implementation of this strategy.

If you are concerned about someone you know, or you yourself are involved in gang activity, please visit our website.

There is help available and more help is on the way.

-Alison Redford, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

Building partnerships at AUMA

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

Former CFL player and coach Michael 'Pinball' Clemons called on the Grey Cup spirit during last week's Alberta Urban Municipalities Association convention at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton - rallying delegates with the convention slogan - 'Game On. Stronger. United'

It was a timely message for about 1,400 convention delegates who had just come off the election trail with new mandates and ideas. The convention theme was a reminder that no one community or single order of government can make those ideas happen alone.

Plain and simple, it takes partnerships.

Municipal officials discussed partnerships with each other. But they also said many times that they wanted to be part of meaningful partnerships with the Alberta government and, most of all, they wanted to be consulted.

Below are a few of the cooperative initiatives where municipalities are encouraged to 'get into the game' with their provincial government. All were developed based on consultation and support for local decision-making.

Municipal input is being collected on the Municipal Sustainability Strategy site

Greater transparency and more funding information are available on the Municipal Sustainability Initiative site.

And municipal input has helped government create a one-stop Municipal Grants Portal.

-Donna Babchishin

Director of Communications, Municipal Affairs

A shot in the arm of vaccine research

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

Viruses can cause illnesses that range in severity from minor irritations to potentially fatal diseases - and have even been linked to the causes of some cancers.

Viral infections cause tremendous suffering worldwide, but can be effectively contained with the use of vaccines - which use genetic information from a virus to help immune systems recognize and target infection, and build resistance.

Pharmaceutical companies recognize the value of vaccines, and today GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Canada has announced a $5-million research donation to the University of Alberta's Institute for Viral Immunology.

The money will be used to create an endowment fund, which will provide researchers at the University of Alberta's Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology with even more resources in fight against viral infections.

Premier Stelmach joined U of A President Indira Samarasekera and GSK Canada President Paul Lucas to celebrate the gift today. Premier Stelmach congratulated the University and GSK Canada on their efforts to expand research in Alberta and enhance educational opportunities in medical research.

GSK Canada has been a significant presence on Alberta's innovation and research scene for more than 20 years. In addition to this donation GSK has contributed more than $4 million towards research chairs, professorships and research projects in Campus Alberta institutions. The company has conducted drug trials in Alberta and employs 50 Albertans at its Calgary office.

-Kim Capstick

Director of Communications, Advanced Education and Technology

Working hard to recognize talents in Alberta

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

Most Albertans have never heard of Foreign Qualification Recognition (FQR). It is nonetheless very important because many talented people in our province are able to work in their field because of FQR. People just like Sam.

Sam Barua was raised in a small town in India. Decades later, he's actively contributing to Alberta's economy as an engineer and active member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA).

He has about 23 years of working experience as a mechanical engineer in five countries around the globe. After doing much research, Sam said he specifically chose Alberta out of all the destinations in the world for him and his wife.

After attending a job fair held by APEGGA, Sam handed out his resumandeacute; and was hired in just over a week. Since then, he has worked to have his education and work experiences recognized and gain his accreditation with APEGGA.

Sam talks about his experiences in moving to Alberta.

Stories like Sam's are reasons why FQR is important to the Alberta government. There are talented people in our province. Let's get them working in their field.

In support of this goal, I was especially pleased with the work done at a forum I held this morning. The forum was attended by over 70 representatives of professional regulatory organizations and members of the Alberta government to release the Foreign Qualification Recognition Plan for Alberta - Progress Report 2009-2010.

Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Employment and Immigration, addresses a number of representatives from professional regulatory organizations and government on the progress that has been made with recognizing foreign earned qualifications at a forum on November 23, 2010.

The forum was a great chance to directly hear from a number of organizations that are benefiting from the government's support for FQR in Alberta. A few videos were created asking members of various professional regulatory organizations to talk about the FQR successes, challenges and hopes for the future. These can be seen on the Employment and Immigration website.

Senior representatives from several professional regulatory organizations sit on a panel to discuss some of the achievements made in foreign qualification recognition at a forum on November 23, 2010.

Our province will benefit from these successes. We face a labour shortage of about 70,000 workers in the next decade and will need to make use of all the talent we have right here at home.

For more information on Foreign Qualification Recognition, visit www.employment.alberta.ca/FQR

Premier's Statement: Improving the Health Care System

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

An audio recording of Premier Ed Stelmach reading this blog can be found here

There has been a lot of media attention paid to the state of Alberta's emergency rooms these past few weeks. Albertans continue to tell us that health care is important to them and that system improvements are needed. However Albertans are tiring of the recent theatrics which have garnered most of the attention, and so am I.

Right now everyone involved in the health care system must focus on improving the system - particularly the urgent needs in the emergency room situation - and not appointing blame.

I believe the plan presented on Friday by Dr. Eagle and developed by a number of health care professionals and key hospital staff provides immediate actions that will help reduce wait times. But further work is necessary to reduce the numbers of patients who access health care through our emergency rooms.

Our long-term strategy must focus on improvements in community and cancer care, the mental health care system, and most importantly enhancing our primary care networks so the vast majority of Albertans have access to family physicians.

It is my expectation that everyone will work together to implement the action plan outlined on Friday as soon as possible. These are the changes that are needed now, and we must do what we can to reduce any unnecessary distractions that prevent us from reaching our targets for reduced wait times.

-Ed Stelmach

Premier of Alberta

Work Safe Alberta Minister's Forum: A new vision of commitment and leadership

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

On November 8, more than 100 industry and labour organization leaders joined me at a forum that looked at ways we can build and improve on the culture of safety in our workplaces. I was struck by the energy in the room and the commitments participants had made toward health and safety in the workplace. As the forum came to a close, I challenged each of them to take 10 steps to make their workplaces even safer.

Everyone I spoke to at the forum could proudly say they've made the health and safety of their workers a top priority. I encourage them to take an even closer look at the programs they have in place and make a commitment to do even better.

They could be 10 practical things, like keeping the shop tidy or removing tripping hazards in the office. Or maybe they are more unconventional, like sharing what you have learned about safety with your competitors.

And just as I encouraged those who attended the forum to take some of the ideas we talked about and consider making them their own, I hope other Albertans will similarly rise to the challenge. Trips, falls, burns, collisions and other life-altering incidents are almost always preventable, so consider 10 things you can do to make your workplace or home safer.

Spencer Beach set the tone for the forum. In April 2003, Spencer was severely burned while on the job and his story is a powerful reminder about the importance of injury prevention. Throughout his long recovery process, Spencer has strongly advocated for industry, labour and government to continually improve on their health and safety programs.

Lorne Kleppe, Executive Director of the Manufacturers' Health andamp; Safety Association commented on the importance for employers to continually re-evaluate their health and safety plans. And the best plan, according to Lorne, is one that is embraced by all the employees from the top all the way down.

Lorne spoke of how his organization assigns advisors to new members to ensure their health and safety needs are met, and of a training program to help workers from outside of Canada become familiar with health and safety issues in the workplace.

Elisabeth Ballermann, President of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, spoke of her organization's objective of returning workers home safely to their families every day. Workers in the health sciences - paramedics, laboratory technicians and others - face a higher-than-average incidence of occupational injuries, including over-exertion, repetitive stress, biological hazards and workplace violence.

Paul Douglas, President and CEO of PCL Constructors Ltd., talked about how health and safety have become an integral part of the company's workplace culture. Staff meetings, conferences, orientations and performance reviews all begin with a safety message. And because danger doesn't punch out at 5 p.m., there's even a manual for families offering tips on staying safe 24/7. Paul said smart business is when safety is embedded in everything a company does.

In my original 10-point plan that I released in July, I outlined the things we were doing to build a system people can trust, and to ensure that programs were really working to keep people safe. With four points on that list now crossed off, I'm pleased to say we're taking action on four more. These new initiatives include tackling occupational disease and work-related traffic deaths and injuries, giving a voice to families when proposing fines in creative sentences and hiring additional occupational health and safety officers.

I can confidently say government is committed to doing its share to make Alberta's workplaces safer. What about you? What 10 steps will you take today?

See my call to action

-Thomas Lukaszuk Minister, Employment and Immigration

Hard work really does pay off: Alberta post-secondary grads are happy and enjoy their careers

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

Alberta's post-secondary students are used to being graded on a regular basis, but every two years they get to turn the tables on their instructors and schools and hand out the marks themselves.

Next week the official results of Alberta's Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) will be released. The study is based on feedback from about 10,000 Alberta post-secondary grads, and this year's results are overwhelmingly positive.

From the value they place on their education to the kind of job they have to the amount of income they are earning - students say their education deserves to be on the honour roll. The vast majority feel their education is a good value for the money they spend, and the survey also shows student debt levels are going down. In fact, even the teachers and professors who work them so hard all year get exceptionally high ratings from their students.

One of the most telling findings of the survey is that of repeat enrollments. More than andfrac14; of all post secondary graduates actually went back to school, re-enrolling to continue their education even further.

The full survey results will be released next week, so be sure to check the Alberta Advanced Edcuation and Technology website for more details.

- Kim Capstick
Director - Communications
Alberta Advanced Education and Technology

Finding our children a forever family

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

November is National Adoption Awareness Month, an important opportunity to raise awareness for our children and youth in government care who are waiting to be placed in a permanent home with a loving family. It is also a time to celebrate our dedicated families who have opened up their hearts and given a permanent home to some of our most vulnerable young people.

At any given time, Alberta has 200 children and youth ready to be adopted by families who will ensure they have the love and support they need to reach their personal potential.

Last year, Children and Youth Services had tremendous success, finding 579 permanent homes for children and youth in care, through adoptive and private guardianship arrangements. Thank you to the families who opened up their hearts and homes and made a world of difference in these children's lives.

There are still many more children and youth across our province who need our help. The greatest area of need is for children seven years of age or older. There is no better time or better place to adopt a child than right now, right here, in Alberta.

We encourage all families interested in adopting to first consider our most vulnerable and visit our adoption website . Here you can find out more about these amazing children and youth, one of whom may be a perfect match for your family.

-Alexandra Bain

Public Affairs Officer

Premier's Blog: India Mission (Day 6)

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

It's the final day in India, and what an experience it's been. Today we flew to Amritsar. Our first stop was the world famous Golden Temple. We had the chance to visit the temple along with thousands of other worshippers. The temple is surrounded by water and decorated with ornate gold everywhere. Marie and I donned traditional head coverings for our visit, and met the President of the Temple.

Our next step was nearby Khalsa College where we were warmly greeted by a military band and had a wonderful tour of the grounds.

Our final stop was a luncheon to sign a MOU with the State of Punjab. Very much looking forward to future opportunities between our two regions.

-Ed Stelmach

Premier of Alberta

Premier's Blog: India Mission (Day 5)

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

Happy Diwali, or as they say here in India, 'Shubh Diwali!'! We had a great day today participating in Diwali events around Delhi. This is part of a 5 day festival that is celebrated around the world, but here in India it is a national holiday and the celebrations are taken to a whole new level.

Marie and I had the pleasure of visiting the Akshardham Temple at sunset this evening. It's a spectacular sight that is sacred to millions of the Hindu faith. Visiting the temple is a privilege and taking photographs is not allowed. We were honoured to participate in several blessings which included using water collected from all 151 rivers in India. The Temple is built by hand and contains no wood or metal, but is fitted together like a jig saw puzzle.

As I write this evening, the fireworks have reached their peak. They started last night but are now in full swing. Individual families fire their own fireworks into the air at various times throughout the night to celebrate the Festival of Lights. They range from very small fireworks to ones that light up the sky. Its now 9:30pm and they have been going strong since sunset just after 6:00 PM.

Looking forward to seeing the Golden Temple at Amritsar tomorrow.

Read the Diwali wiki

Premier's Blog: India Mission (Day 4)

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

Encouraging and Inspiring. That's the kind of day it has been over here in India. On the heels of our meetings with senior government Ministers yesterday, I was encouraged to sit down with the top executives from some of India's large energy companies today. There are a lot of similarities between India and Alberta. Much like Alberta, India has a long history of harnessing its petroleum resources. Their first commercial oil discovery was back in 1889. Today there are leading edge companies based here in India that are investing in projects all over the world, so Alberta is a natural fit.

I had a really good discussion with Mr. N.M. Borah, who is Chairman of Oil India. His company is keenly interested in the horizontal drilling technology being used in Alberta, and is considering investments in our province.

I also spent some time with the Chairman of Indian Oil, Mr. B.M. Bansal. His company is involved in the upgrading side of the oil business and is very focused on technology. They are impressed with the nanotechnology research being done at the University of Alberta and are interested in building closer links.

When we walked into the executive offices of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to meet with their Chairman today, the receptionist was decorating the office for Diwali. She asked me to help her light some of the decorations in a beautiful display of candles and flower petals for the festival of lights. We had a very good meeting with Chairman Sharma.

Marie and I were incredibly inspired by our visit to the Gandhi Memorial. This is a place of serenity that celebrates the life of a great man of peace. We were humbled to be asked to sign the guest book and lay a memorial wreath on behalf of all Albertans. Together with Manmeet Bhullar, Naresh Bhardwaj and Peter Sandhu, we also paid our respects in a moment of silence.

This evening, Marie and I are headed over to the official residence of Canada's High Commissioner. Together we are hosting a reception for about 175 people to celebrate the relationship between Alberta and India, and enjoy the festival of lights.

-Ed Stelmach

Premier of Alberta

Premier's Blog: India Mission (Day 2)

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

Lots to talk about today. It's been a busy day over here in New Delhi. We started the morning with a detailed briefing while we ate a quick breakfast, then headed for the big Petrotech 2010 conference . This is a huge energy conference that brings together almost 4,000 delegates from more than 40 countries around the world. Last year there were 273 exhibitors on display, and this year's conference is even bigger.

Alberta is well represented at PetroTech. There are 13 Alberta companies here to showcase their products and services, doing business with energy companies from India and around the world. Even the University of Alberta has a presence here. Along with MLAs Manmeet Bhullar, Naresh Bhardwaj and Peter Sandhu, I had a chance to touch base with some of the Alberta companies at the conference to make important business connections, including Chayan Chakrabarty of Bengal Energy. He told me our government has helped him grow his business in India, by assisting with contacts through Iris Evans' department of International and Intergovernmental Relations. He also told me that our presence at this trade show has been very effective in showing Indian oil and gas companies that Alberta is open for business and has the expertise in shale gas to share with India through Alberta companies.

I also had a chance to spend some time with other Alberta business people, including Garrett Couples of Red Deer (GenTex) and Roop Chakrabropy (Techno Canada).

In this part of the world, business relationships are built through face-to-face meetings, and I was delighted to sit down with the Indian Ministers of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Industry, and Company Affairs. We talked about the tremendous business opportunities that exist between India and Alberta, and the incredible potential to grow these relationships.

As you may or may not know, the celebration of Diwali is underway here in India. The festive atmosphere is everywhere, and it's most impressive. I am somewhat humbled that so many of the people we are meeting with have taken time away from Diwali to have some meaningful discussions about the business relationship between Alberta and India. I have several more meetings scheduled tomorrow with industry and government officials. I'm also hosting an Alberta reception at the Canadian High Commission tomorrow night.

Being here at Petrotech is a prime opportunity to promote Alberta's interests, but it's also a chance to tell it like it is to a world wide audience. I was delighted to be asked to speak to a group of delegates here at Petrotech, and talk to them about expanding business connections and increasing trade and commerce between Alberta and India, with a focus on balancing growth with environmental responsibility. It's a message that doesn't always get a lot of media attention at home, but here in New Delhi it was very well received. Among those in the audience were the Chairman of OVL, the Chairman of ONGC, other senior oil and gas representatives, and India's Minister of Company Affairs.

India is also very rich in culture, and there are so many wonderful examples of this throughout New Delhi and across the country. Just driving from the conference hall to our hotel, we saw the famous India Gate that serves as a memorial to this country's sacrifices in the First World War. Later in our trip we are planning to visit some of the cultural sites that showcase India's amazing history.

Thanks to everyone in Alberta who is following our trade mission though these blogs and on my Twitter account.

-Ed Stelmach

Premier of Alberta

Premier's Blog: India Mission (Day 3)

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

While we've been very busy over here in India, I've been keeping close tabs on some of the major events taking place closer to home. I was shocked and surprised by Premier Campbell's announcement in British Columbia. I have enjoyed a very close working relationship with Gordon Campbell and have found him to be a strong supporter of the economic partnerships that Alberta has been driving in Western Canada.

I have appreciated Gordon's commitment to building a strong economy in western Canada, and working together to present a common voice on key issues. We've worked together to erase artificial barriers to trade and labour mobility with the TILMA agreement between Alberta and BC. He's been a strong ally, along with Premier Wall, as we forged the New West Partnership to promote western Canadian interests in the international market place.

Premier Campbell worked diligently to strengthen the economy of his province, reduce the debt load on his citizens, and invest in long term infrastructure projects that helped keep people working through the economic downturn. He has been a powerful voice for western provinces at the Council of the Federation, and a valued friend for the past few years. I'm sure this has been a very difficult decision for him, and I wish him all the best.

I also want to express my support for Premier Brad Wall in Saskatchewan, in light of the federal government's decision on the sale of the Saskatchewan Potash Corporation. The vast potash resources of Saskatchewan are of extreme value to the people of that province, and for all of Canada. Unlike other resources that do exist elsewhere in Canada, the overwhelming presence of potash in one province does present unique considerations. It is important that decisions about the development of this Saskatchewan resource are made in the best interests of the residents of Saskatchewan and all Canadians. While the federal government has not provided an unqualified 'No' to the proposed takeover, they have demonstrated that they've heard the message from Premier Wall and other like-minded Canadians.

- Ed Stelmach

Oil sands reality changes EU leaders' perceptions

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

Members of the European Parliament followed in the footsteps of U.S. senators with personal investigations of Alberta's oil sands, and have now echoed the verdict of their stateside colleagues.

The MEPs were briefed by both Government of Alberta experts and by the Pembina Institute. Then, they were taken to the oil sands operations for a personal inspection.

Here's Philip Bradbourn, UK member, and Elisabeth Jeggle, member for the Federal Republic of Germany, talking about their findings and conclusions in a media conference today.

Click here for the full audio of the news conference: 'It was not what we heard it was.'

(On this audio file you first hear Mr. Bradbourn, who is the Chairman of the Delegation for Relations with Canada, then Ms. Jeggle, the Vice Chairman and member of a subcommittee on human rights, then Alberta Minister of International and Intergovernmental Affairs Iris Evans, followed by Alberta Energy Parliamentary Assistant Dianna McQueen.)

See also, 'They didn't sugarcoat anything' and Show and tell for more on direct reactions from personal investigations by elected and appointed officials. And, reflecting a reference from that news conference here's a Reuters news report on the recent investigation by outspoken environmentalist and movie director James Cameron.

- David Sands

Premier's Blog: India Mission (Day 1)

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

It's a long haul from Edmonton to New Delhi. We've finally arrived here in New Delhi after 20 hours and about 14,300 kilometers in the air. Our journey started with a 3-1/2 hour flight from Edmonton to Chicago, followed by a 3 hour stopover in the world famous O'Hare International Airport. By late evening in Edmonton, we were aboard our transatlantic flight to New Delhi and taking off for an all-night flight to India. Fourteen-and-a-half hours is a long time to spend aboard an airplane, even if it's a Boeing 777.

We arrived in New Delhi a couple of hours after sunset, and almost a full day after we left Edmonton. Marie and I were delighted to receive a warm welcome at the airport, complete with flowers! It's 25 C here, and New Delhi's skyline is spectacular to see at night, especially from the air. The city is huge, compared to Edmonton or Calgary, and really gives you an idea of how many people live here. That's why it's so important to be here to meet with key decision makers in government and industry. If we are going to maintain Alberta's high standard of living, and strong economy, we need to reach out to new markets around the world. There are 700 million cell phones here in India, and they are adding another 10 million more every year. With a market of more than a billion people, India presents a prime opportunity for Alberta to showcase our food, fibre and fuel. There are about a dozen Alberta companies involved in the huge Petrotech 2010 energy conference here in New Delhi this week.

This is an international conference and trade show that brings energy companies, suppliers, manufacturers and other companies from all over the world. It's a prime opportunity for Alberta. I'm looking forward to being there tomorrow to take part in the conference and to tell Alberta's story to the world. First order of business tonight is a meeting with Canada's High Commissioner in India. Then it will be time to check into the hotel for the night and get some rest.

-Ed Stelmach

Premier of Alberta

Premier Ed Stelmach and wife Marie are greeted by Canada's High Commision to India

Strong partnerships promote growth among neighbors

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

Deputy Premier and Minister of Advanced Education and Technology Doug Horner and entrepreneur, Mr. Li Ka Shing, enjoyed authentic Cantonese food and talked business during their recent meeting in Hong Kong. Minister Horner also used the occasion to personally thank Mr. Li for his foundation's generous contribution to the University of Alberta's Li Ka Shing Virology Institute.

The pair discussed Campus Alberta, energy, environment, human health and further prospects for Alberta and the Li Ka Shing Foundation to work together. Both men agreed to continue pursuing opportunities together to inspire further collaboration between Asia and Alberta.

Minister Horner's trip successfully achieved its goal of strengthening innovation and educational bonds. Meeting Mr. Li and others in the region built strong partnerships that bring new opportunities and high hopes for a bright future.

--Sarah Lysakowski, Communications, Alberta Advanced Education and Technology

Photogs & astronauts meet on the moon

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

In Dinosaur Provincial Park , near Brooks, there is a very special place called Valley of the Moon. It is one of those spots that has a certain energy that nobody can describe but everyone feels. Because of its stark beauty, it is of special interest to photographers, and, believe it or not, astronauts.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dinosaur Provincial Park is best known for its abundance of...you guessed it...dinosaur bones. Indeed, it remains a favourite field site for palaeontologists from the Royal Tyrrell Museum and the University of Alberta, to name just a few. Valley of the Moon, unlike most other parts of the park, has very few fossils. Also, unlike much of the park, it is relatively flat. Flat enough to make one wonder why the word 'valley' is part of its name at all; it would more accurately be described as a small mesa...however, the reason for the word 'moon' in its name is obvious.

As an employee of the provincial park, it has been my privilege to guide a wide variety of special guests to this location. Visiting media go wild over this alien landscape and I often have to drag photographers away. The most interesting VIPs that I have taken there were a group of experts from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Robotic rovers which assist in exploring planets like Mars are tested extensively before they are sent into space. The CSA and NASA are forever on the look-out for landscapes on Earth that are analogous to those found on other planets, so they can test these rovers in the unpredictability of a real landscape. The Polar Regions are excellent for this, but incredibly expensive to operate in. This summer, the CSA visited Dinosaur Provincial Park, as one of many new possible testing sites, and identified the Valley of the Moon as having real potential. We may not know for quite a while if Dinosaur Provincial Park will qualify as a 'Mars analogue', but are extremely excited at the prospect. Dinosaurs, robots, and space exploration!

As Valley of the Moon is located in the park's natural preserve it is only accessible when accompanied by a Park guide and prior to this summer we have not led regular programs there. That has recently changed with the addition of new program designed for amateur photographers, called the Sunset Tour. This popular program brings a small number of adults to this and other special locations with the express purpose of capturing the beauty of the landscape in the golden evening light. Our own provincial park videographer, John Novotny maintains this is one of his favourite places to shoot. This video above is a sample of his amazing work.

So if you are starting to discover your talents as an amateur photographer, we encourage you to visit the Valley of the Moon. You won't be disappointed. It's the closest most of us will get to walking on another planet.

-Brad Tucker, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Dinosaur Provincial Park

Letter to Craigslist seeks to end promotion of human trafficking

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

On Friday, October 22, Alberta Minister of Justice and Attorney General Alison Redford and Frank Oberle, Alberta Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security, issued the following statement regarding a letter they sent to Craigslist over concerns of the site allowing ads that promote human trafficking.

It is the hope of the Government of Alberta that this letter will encourage Craigslist to remove the erotic service advertisements currently being used by human traffickers on their site.
'Human trafficking is a deplorable crime that has no place in our society. We need to make sure the views of this government and of all Albertans are understood on this matter.
We are of the hope that this letter, added to those from numerous other Canadian provinces and US states, will help to put an end to the promotion of thinly-disguised human trafficking enterprises on Craigslist. The letter specifically calls on Craigslist to remove and end the practice of posting erotic service ads on their Canadian service. By allowing these ads to remain, Craigslist is indirectly supporting the exploitation of the vulnerable, which are all-too-often women and children.

Through the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking and the Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) team, we are taking great strides to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Alberta. Our respective Ministries, along with federal, police and other provincial ministry representatives, continue to work to uncover, prosecute and prevent these crimes. This includes a current public awareness campaign throughout Alberta.

It is imperative that as a country we work together to find effective solutions to end human trafficking and sexual exploitation across Canada. Alberta has taken a strong stand on this issue and will continue to work with the police, prosecutors and all levels of government to affirm a clear message that human trafficking is not tolerated here.'
- Alison Redford, Q.C., Alberta Minister of Justice and Attorney General,
- Frank Oberle, Alberta Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security

A few facts about autism

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

October is Autism Awareness Month in Canada, a time to raise awareness about autism and support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.

ASD occurs in approximately one in 90 children. It is a complex neurobiological condition which affects brain development, social relationships, communication, interests and behaviour. Scientists are not certain about what causes ASD, but it is likely that both genetics and environment have a role.

Autism varies greatly in severity. Individuals with severe autistic conditions may have serious cognitive disability, sensory problems and symptoms of repetitive behaviours. This can include tantrums, self-injury, defensiveness and aggression caused by an inability to communicate. Living or working with a person with severe autism can be challenging, requiring tremendous patience and understanding of the condition. However, in its mildest form, autism can be similar to a personality difference, which can cause difficulties when interacting with other children.

The Government of Alberta's Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) Program is unique in Canada, using a family-centred approach to provide parents with a range of supports and services that strengthen their ability to promote their children's healthy growth and development. FSCD assists with some of the costs of raising a child with a disability and works in partnership with parents to identify the types of supports that are needed and what services will be most helpful for the child and family. FSCD services are provided based on each child's individual needs and family circumstances.

For more information on autism and the support services available through the FSCD Program, visit our website.

Honouring Foster Parents During National Foster Family Week

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST
National Foster Family Week, October 17 to 23, 2010, celebrates moms and dads who open their hearts and homes to children in need. It is a time to applaud the outstanding dedication of the thousands of Alberta foster families who care for young people whose parents are unable to give them a safe place to live.
Foster parents make incredible contributions to our society by supporting our most vulnerable children and youth during difficult times in their lives. All young people need love, support, understanding and a nurturing home, and foster parents are committed to meeting these needs.

In every region of our province, there is a need for more families who can give a loving home to a child. More foster homes are needed to match children with families in their home communities, keep siblings together and help children maintain important cultural ties.

All parents know that raising a child can be challenging at times, but helping to shape a young person's life is both rewarding and fulfilling. Seeing the achievements children make with the right support and care is the most special gift of all.

For more information on fostering, kinship care, adoption or mentoring, please visit www.achildshope.alberta.ca.

Don't get bottled up!

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST
This week is Waste Reduction Week across Canada and here in Alberta, we're encouraging Albertans to get into the habit of waste-free living.
It doesn't get any more practical or straightforward than recycling your empty beverage containers. Fortunately, Albertans are embracing beverage container recycling like never before. The province now has an 82.6 per cent return rate - an all-time high.

Of course, there are more benefits to recycling your empties than simply keeping pop, juice, alcohol, and milk containers out of provincial dumps - every single recycled container makes a difference:

Enough energy is saved by recycling one aluminum can to run a TV set for three hours or to light one 100 watt bulb for 20 hours.

You can make 20 cans out of recycled material with the same amount of energy it takes to make one new one.

Five recycled 2-litre plastic bottles make enough fibrefill to stuff a ski jacket.

For more ideas on how to reduce waste and become more environmentally friendly all year long, visit www.onesimpleact.alberta.ca.

Who knew teeth flossing and counter-terrorism have something in common?

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST
Yes, you read that correctly. More than 200 participants at the second annual counter-terrorism seminar hosted recently by the Solicitor General and Public Security ministry heard that like flossing, counter-terrorism measures are something that must be ongoing and happen every day.
Conference participants included law enforcement personnel, military personnel, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) members, private industry security members and government staff responsible for protecting Alberta's critical infrastructure.

It's the everyday prevention tactics that help keep Albertans safe, said conference organizer Peter Lemieux, with the Alberta Security and Strategic Intelligence Support Team (ASSIST).

Captain Horace Frank, Commanding Officer of the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) Emergency Services Division, told the audience how the LAPD has seen a great deal of success by mobilizing the community to act as the eyes and ears of their neighbourhoods.

CSIS Deputy Director, Prairie Region, Bill Jones told the conference audience that Canada is not immune to homegrown terrorist activity. He said the single biggest factor that determines if someone will get involved in terrorist activity is his/her connections to known terrorists. If a person's friends or relatives are involved, there is a high likelihood they may get involved as well.

Attendees also heard how private industry plans its anti-terrorism measures. Ross Johnson, Senior Manager of Security and Contingency Planning for Capital Power (which has 31 power plants in Canada and the US) told the audience the three things terrorists need are motive, rationalization and opportunity. What private industry must do is try to remove the opportunity. Introducing random anti-terrorism measures helps get rid of the routine, predictability, gaps and weaknesses that terrorists are looking for.

Albertans can rest assured that ASSIST takes these issues seriously and has a highly skilled and dedicated team in charge of a proactive counter-terrorism crisis management plan. Anyone who learns of suspicious activity can report it the RCMP National Security tip line at 1-800-420-5805.

Access to ID opens doors for homeless Albertans

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

The next time you pull your Alberta ID card or driver's licence from your wallet or purse, think about all the times you've needed to show it.

Opening a bank account. Cashing a paycheque. Renting an apartment. Most of us probably don't give it much more than a passing thought, but many services require that we show identification to prove who we are.

Now think about trying to do those things without ID. For many Albertans, it's one of the barriers they face in overcoming homelessness.

The Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre brought this to my attention shortly after I was elected in 2008. Since then, Service Alberta has been working with the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs on a solution to help ensure homeless Albertans have access to the Alberta ID card.

There were several challenges. The lack of a permanent address and lost or missing documents, such as birth certificates, made obtaining ID difficult for many people.

Fortunately, community organizations, such as Boyle Street Community Services and Hope Mission, are helping us with those challenges. Homeless Albertans can use the address of a shelter or agency as proof of residence, and the government is training shelter and agency employees to help homeless people obtain the supporting documents they need to apply for ID.

Last week, I had the privilege of joining Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Jonathan Denis in announcing that this service will be available across the province. Thanks to help from our community not-for-profit and registry agent partners, we have taken one more step towards eliminating homelessness in Alberta.

- Hon. Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Service Alberta

This brand is your brand

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

Please scroll to the bottom of this page and look at the bottom left corner. Go on - I'll wait.

Did you see it?

'Alberta.'

For the first time, our province and all of us who live here have an identity that's different than the Government of Alberta's. And that's important, because it's open for us all to use. And shape.

When I say 'shape,' I'm talking about everything 'Alberta' stands for. And you do have that opportunity to shape it, because you are Alberta's brand. To be sure we're talking the same talk, when I say 'brand,' I mean the stuff we have to offer the world - including Albertan products and Albertan ideas and Albertan services and Albertans, too - and the promise of what others can expect from them.
The 'Alberta' identity helps us with this. When we use it to promote the province, we're helping people to recall their experiences of Alberta. People, that is, who need to make decisions about our province: to visit. To live here. Work here. Start businesses. Create jobs. Buy our things. Enjoy our art.
I think - I hope - this desire to not just present our province in the best possible way, but to make it a place that inspires people is one we all share. We can all make that happen.

And that's just what's happening. Albertans have been signing up as ambassadors to use the provincial identity as part of their communications and to help build recognition of Alberta. The Edmonton Rush Lacrosse Club has recently signed up as an ambassador and just launched the new jersey (shown above - photo courtesy Edmonton Rush Lacrosse Club) for the team's away games. Every time they're on the field, they're representing you and me and the spirit to achieve.

How will you make your mark on our province?

Click here to read the full Edmonton Rush news release about their new third jerseys.

Health Ministers endorse health improvement strategy

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 MST

Wellness initiatives promoted, MS research accelerated

St. John's, NL ... Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky, Parliamentary Assistant Raj Sherman, and their federal, provincial and territorial counterparts have committed to several initiatives to improve the health of Canadians during their meetings yesterday and today in St. John's.

'We made good progress related to curbing childhood obesity, promoting healthy living, reducing personal sodium intake levels, and accelerating MS research efforts,' said Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Health and Wellness. 'Accelerating research into MS and CCSVI (Chronic cerobro-spinal venous insufficiency) is of great importance to Albertans, so I will convene a meeting of researchers, neurologists and others as soon as possible. '
More specifically, Ministers agreed to: advancing scientific research with respect to the safety and efficacy of Dr. Zamboni's Liberation treatment; a Declaration on Prevention and Promotion; a framework for action to promote healthy weights (including reducing childhood obesity); a commitment to make marketing healthy foods for children a priority; and, supporting the call of Canadian Premiers for everyone to lower their personal sodium intake (including encouraging the food industry to meet voluntary targets for sodium reduction in prepared and packaged foods).

'Helping individuals to preserve and improve their own health is key to improving quality of life, and to reducing burdens on our health system,' said Dr. Raj Sherman, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Wellness. 'Encouraging parents and children to make healthy choices is critical to long-term, good health habits.'

Zwozdesky also noted that Alberta was chosen earlier this year as one of seven North American sites to host a major MS research project that will study the linkages between blocked veins and MS symptoms - including some MS patients who underwent Zamboni's treatment.

Ministers also discussed a pan-Canadian purchasing strategy for common procurement of drugs, supplies and equipment, building upon New Western Partnership agreement between Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, signed in April.

Show and tell

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 MST

Alberta's oil sands was the site of a large-scale show and tell presentation yesterday as Gary Mar, Alberta's envoy to Washington, led a group of 29 Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) delegates on a tour.

'A picture is worth a thousand words, but a visit is worth a thousand pictures,' said Mar. 'By engaging our American and Canadian counterparts in the oil sands experience, they gain a far better understanding of the operations in Alberta. Based on what they've seen, touched and experienced, they can then draw their own conclusions.'

The tour included stops at Shell's Albian mine and a ConocoPhillips in situ site. Highlights included the tour of the mining operation, a tailings pond and reclaimed land. Delegates were also given a demonstration of steam-assisted gravity drainage, just one of the innovations that have helped oil sands developers decrease their environmental footprint.

'I was impressed by the technological advancements,' said tour guest and Oregon State Representative Mike Schaufler.

Though the oil sands tour has ended, the work of educating the delegates' home states and provinces has only just begun.

'I'm certain that having seen and experienced the oil sands, some minds were changed and misconceptions clarified,' said Mar. 'The hope now is that what they've learned will influence their decision-making, and affect how they perceive Alberta's oil sands.'

That hope appears well founded: 'I am more comfortable buying oil from Alberta, which shares similar environmental goals with the U.S., than from foreign sources,' said Oregon's Schaufler.

U.S. guests on the tour included delegates from Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon and Alaska.

UPDATE: 35 members of the U.S. Congress have written to the State Department expressing support for the development of the Keystone XL pipeline. A number of those are representatives of districts through which the pipeline would pass. A link to the letter can be found here.

Premier Ed Stelmach's statement regarding the Corperate Ethics Campaign

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 MST
click for more information

Discover the beauty of Alberta for yourself

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 MST

The warmth of our people, wonderful natural beauty and an incredible range of experiences attract millions of visitors to Alberta and inject billions into our economy.

That's why I am so disappointed by a recent campaign discouraging visitors from coming to Alberta based on misinformation about our oil sands. The campaign's view of Alberta is not accurate, and it's not the view of the 1.5 million international guests who come to our province each year. Our province works hard to balance the need for responsible resource development and protection of our natural environment. We've taken positive steps towards that goal, like putting a price on carbon and enforcing strict legislation to protect our air, land and water. I encourage Albertans and visitors to learn the full story -- about our oil sands and everything else we have to offer.

Alberta's story includes 20-million acres of protected parks, five of Canada's 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and four internationally recognized wetlands. Alberta's story celebrates our beautiful landscapes, abundant wildlife, western hospitality, renowned cultural festivals and great people.

This campaign targets our hard-working tourism industry during the peak of our busy summer season. More than 100,000 people make a living from Alberta's $5-billion tourism industry. These people -- along with the rest of Albertans -- know what a wonderful province this is. We are confident that people will separate fact from fiction, and draw their own conclusions about what Alberta has to offer the world.

Like all Albertans, our tourism industry is proud and resilient. We will continue to extend an open invitation to all visitors and to encourage people to experience the beauty of Alberta for themselves.

If you'd like to see the true Alberta that visitors flock to each and every day, check out Travel Alberta's photo and video galleries.

-Minister Cindy Ady
Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation

Bio in Chicago, energy in D.C.

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

Premier Ed Stelmach is heading State-side next week to showcase the competitiveness of Alberta's bio industry ('bio' being the merging of biology and engineering in areas such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals and food) and highlight the province's progress in responsible energy development.

The May 3-7 trip has the Premier and Deputy Premier Doug Horner stopping off in Chicago at BIO 2010, the world's largest biotechnology gathering, where Alberta's bio industry will be promoted to more than 20,000 business leaders, scientists, investors and executives from more than 60 countries. More than 25 companies and organizations from Alberta will be on hand to showcase all that Alberta has to offer.

The busy agendas of the Premier and Deputy Premier also have them meeting with several multi-national brand-name companies to showcase Alberta's growing bio industry and talk about partnerships in Alberta. No word yet on whether the Premier and Deputy Premier will have time to indulge in a little Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.

'Alberta's bio sector has made significant breakthroughs in health and medical care,' Premier Stelmach said this week. 'This event is the largest of its kind and it's a tremendous opportunity for Alberta to demonstrate its ongoing support for and further increase the competitiveness of the province's bio industry.'

The Premier then heads from the Windy City to Washington, D.C., to the Energy Security Forum where he will highlight the importance of Alberta's oil sands deposits to U.S. energy security.

While in Washington, Premier Stelmach will also meet with senior members of President Barack Obama's administration to emphasize Alberta's important role as a safe and secure supplier of energy to the United States.

Canada is the top foreign source of American oil imports, and Alberta accounts for about 70% of Canada's. Pretty soon, Alberta itself will export more oil to the United States than Saudi Arabia - and most of that oil will come from our oil sands, the second largest proven crude oil reserve in the world.

Premier Stelmach also will extend an invitation to forum goers to come to Alberta and not only see the oil sands for themselves, but to see the steps Alberta is taking to manage the resource in an environmentally sustainable way, including our commitment to carbon capture and storage technology.

National Day of Mourning

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

Today is National Day of Mourning, when we honour people who have died, been injured or suffered illness in the workplace. This is also the day when we can pledge to make sure every Albertan comes home safe from work every day.

Workplace health and safety is everyone's responsibility -- employers, employees, and government. As government, our goal is to decrease workplace injuries and fatalities. To do that, we educate employers and workers. We inspect and investigate workplaces. We are also among the first on the scene of an incident or fatality on a worksite.

Although injury numbers have come down in recent years, we want them to be even lower. Last year, there were 110 workplace fatalities -- lower than the 166 in 2008. But it still means 110 men and women did not make it home to their families and friends.

That's why awareness activities, like the Day of Mourning April 28 and the North American Occupational Health and Safety Week from May 2 to 8, are important. They remind all of us to watch out for one another.

Please help the people you care about go home safe at the end of the day.

Program builds on generosity of others

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

Non-profit and charitable organizations got a helping hand Tuesday when the province announced $19 million for the second year of the Community Spirit Program.

Premier Ed Stelmach and Culture and Community Spirit Minister Lindsay Blackett were joined by MLAs and members of the volunteer sector to announce successful recipients for the 2009 donation grant.

'We know that charitable organizations identify need in the community much better than government can,' said Premier Stelmach 'They also deliver those programs very effectively and efficiently.'

Grant recipients included Edmonton Meals on Wheels, Edmonton Public Library Board, Film and Video Arts Society Alberta, and the Robin Hood Association for the Handicapped. Community Spirit's goal is to help increase individual private donations.

Eligible groups apply for a proportional grant based on the donations they receive. 'We are recognizing these groups by giving them assistance, a hand up to help them do the great job that they do.' said Minister Blackett.

In its first two years, the Community Spirit Program has provided $38 million to Alberta non-profit organizations and charities. A complete list of 2009 grant recipients and amounts is available at www.communityspiritprogram.ca

Premier Stelmach presents a cheque on behalf of the Government of Alberta to Victoria Powluk from the Women Building Futures Society.

Meetings, Ministers and Municipalities

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

Day 1 of the government's cabinet tour into the south dawned under brilliant sunshine. On Day 2 it was cloudy.

No matter to Municipal Affairs Minister Hector Goudreau - he didn't see much of it. Over the two days Minister Goudreau met with representatives from more than 15 towns, villages and municipal districts.

'The meetings were basically back-to-back,' said the minister. 'A couple of times I had to excuse myself to use the facilities.'

Minister Goudreau said it was a great opportunity to hear local concerns, especially as he's reasonably new in the ministry.

Les Rempel, Mayor of High River, led one of the sessions with the minister. 'Very often there are long periods where we don't talk, and when we do it's issues-oriented,' said Mayor Rempel. 'He's got the lights on and his ears open. He's paying attention.'

MLA Evan Berger brought ministers straight to where the issues were.'I send them letters, and I can describe a problem for them, but this was a way to show them,' he said.

Municipal Affairs Minister Hector Goudreau with Les Rempel, Mayor of High River.

Ministers hear from seniors

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

Senior citizens residing in four rural communities in the Drayton Valley-Calmar constituency of Diana McQueen got a golden opportunity to discuss their issues and concerns with face to face meetings with two Alberta cabinet ministers Monday.

Seniors and Community Supports Minister Mary Ann Jablonski and Service Alberta Minister Heather Klimchuk hit the road Monday to visit Calmar, Thorsby, Breton and Drayton Valley as part of whirlwind tour hosted by MLA McQueen.

'Premier Stelmach made a commitment for ministers to get out and meet and listen to Albertans at the grassroots level and the seniors we met were not shy about sharing their views,' said Jablonski. 'The direct feedback we get is invaulable as we move forward in the planning process.'

Seniors raised questions on income thresholds for provincial programs, personal directives, rent supplements, education property tax, EMS, pharmaceutical strategy, and cataract surgeries. Seniors also probed into the areas of the competitiveness review, energy deregulation and transfer payments to Ottawa.

'Face-to-face conversations with the people we serve are always meaningful,' said Klimchuk. ' It opens the lines of communication and we hear first hand what is on the minds of Albertans and what's important in their lives.'

This exercise in grassroots democracy was supported by local politicians.

'Absolutely brilliant idea to have ministers travel out and meet the people,' said Moe Hamden, Mayor of Drayton Valley. 'There are a lot of issues important to our communities and we have a chance to participate in this process.'

Thorsby Mayor Alan Gee said the visit by the two ministers was appreciated.

'These opportunities don't come a long that often so we have to take advantage and it's a credit to the Premier for making it happen,' said Mayor Gee.

Deputy Mayor of Calmar, Dan Sekora, offered up this: 'If ministers don't hear anything from the public they don't think anything is wrong. If people in the communities are complaining they may feel nobody is listening. This opportunity brings both sides together and gets people in the communities talking directly to ministers without the filter of technology.'

Other cabinet ministers logging highway miles touring the Drayton Valley - Calmar constituency included Justice Minister Alison Redford who met up with the RCMP and Chiefs and elders from the Louis Bull and Ermineskin First Nations on family court, domestic violence as part of the Safe Communities initiative.

Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette and Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Jack Hayden along with MLA McQueen spent time meeting with the Lakedell Agriculture Society and the severe drought conditions in the province was the high priority agenda item for discussion.

Snapshots from the road: Alberta Cabinet Tour 2010

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

On a patch of land in the Livingstone-Fort MacLeod riding, the DU Ranchlands log cabin has weathered more than 100 years of changing seasons. The cabin has been home to generations of homesteaders who trekked into Southern Alberta, stayed awhile in the Livingstone Range, then moved on.

'It was a very difficult life, especially in the winter,' said Puff McKim, whose family's land it's on. 'People just gave up.'

Best guesses say the cabin was built about 1900. It's a designated heritage site, and a spot for socializing. Occasionally hunters will overnight, but over the years many families have called it home -- at least for awhile.

'A lot of times the men would work in the coal mines, so they'd be gone all winter,' said Puff, whose childhood nickname ('I used to huff and puff') has stayed with her for life.

'One family stayed five years and the kids walked 10 miles to school.

The cabin was always chilly.

'It wasn't warm enough to get bread to rise,' said Puff.

Minister Ray Danyluk outside the cabin with Dan and Puff McKim.

Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister Cindy Ady checks out the refrigeration unit.

Minister Lukaszuk outside the DU Ranchlands log Cabin

Ministers hear from seniors

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

Senior citizens residing in four rural communities in the Drayton Valley-Calmar constituency of Diana McQueen got a golden opportunity to discuss their issues and concerns with face to face meetings with two Alberta cabinet ministers Monday.

Seniors and Community Supports Minister Mary Ann Jablonski and Service Alberta Minister Heather Klimchuk hit the road Monday to visit Calmar, Thorsby, Breton and Drayton Valley as part of whirlwind tour hosted by MLA McQueen.

'Premier Stelmach made a commitment for ministers to get out and meet and listen to Albertans at the grassroots level and the seniors we met were not shy about sharing their views,' said Jablonski. 'The direct feedback we get is invaulable as we move forward in the planning process.'

Seniors raised questions on income thresholds for provincial programs, personal directives, rent supplements, education property tax, EMS, pharmaceutical strategy, and cataract surgeries. Seniors also probed into the areas of the competitiveness review, energy deregulation and transfer payments to Ottawa.

'Face-to-face conversations with the people we serve are always meaningful,' said Klimchuk. ' It opens the lines of communication and we hear first hand what is on the minds of Albertans and what's important in their lives.'

This exercise in grassroots democracy was supported by local politicians.

'Absolutely brilliant idea to have ministers travel out and meet the people,' said Moe Hamden, Mayor of Drayton Valley. 'There are a lot of issues important to our communities and we have a chance to participate in this process.'

Thorsby Mayor Alan Gee said the visit by the two ministers was appreciated.

'These opportunities don't come a long that often so we have to take advantage and it's a credit to the Premier for making it happen,' said Mayor Gee.

Deputy Mayor of Calmar, Dan Sekora, offered up this: 'If ministers don't hear anything from the public they don't think anything is wrong. If people in the communities are complaining they may feel nobody is listening. This opportunity brings both sides together and gets people in the communities talking directly to ministers without the filter of technology.'

Other cabinet ministers logging highway miles touring the Drayton Valley - Calmar constituency included Justice Minister Alison Redford who met up with the RCMP and Chiefs and elders from the Louis Bull and Ermineskin First Nations on family court, domestic violence as part of the Safe Communities initiative.

Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette and Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Jack Hayden along with MLA McQueen spent time meeting with the Lakedell Agriculture Society and the severe drought conditions in the province was the high priority agenda item for discussion.

Cougars and turkeys and bears: Snapshots from Pincher Creek

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

Blaine Marr has bear problems.

'This is all from grizzlies,' Blaine said, pointing to claw marks and other damage to a shed storing cattle feed.

The Pincher Creek-area rancher met with cabinet ministers touring southern Alberta.

He told the ministers (Cindy Ady, Thomas Lukaszuk, Mel Knight and Ray Danyluk) he's had to reinforce the shack with metal siding to keep the bears away from the pellets.

The bears still do their best to rip their way in, though.

'When it's plumb empty I leave the door open so they can go in and see there's nothing there,' said Blaine.

Minister Ady checks out grizzly bear damage to the shed.

Pincher Creek gets its name from the pincers used to shoe horses.

The area was part of a route favoured by early settlers, who'd stop there before hitting the mountains.

Described as giant nail clippers, a pair was found in the water by members of the Northwest Mounted Police.

First known as Pincer Creek, the town later became Pincher Creek.

Wild Turkeys apparently aren't good eating.

'Like chewing on a ball glove,' said Infrastructure Minister Ray Danyluk.

Not so, said Jordon Nochief, at councillor at the Piikani Reserve in Southern Alberta.

'They're just like regular turkeys. He must have got an old one.'

Minister Danyluk stopped to take a few pictures of a flock near Twin Butte.

Wild turkeys near Pincher Creek.

Pincher Creek is cougar country, and we're not talking the Courtney Cox variety.

We're talking felines, and they're dangerous.

'For people with small children and pets, they're a real concern,' said Doug Thornton, the town's deputy mayor.

The town also sees bears, coyotes 'and unfortunately skunks' wander through the town site.

Townies take it in stride though.

Doug shrugged. 'It's the West.' said.

Cabinet Tour 2010

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

Alberta MLAs fanned out Monday in the first of a series of cabinet tours that will see them criss-cross the province this spring.

Ministers headed north and south, making good on Premier Ed Stelmach's direction to have his government speak directly to Albertans.

Four of the ministers -- Employment and Immigration Minister Thomas Lukaszuk; Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister Cindy Ady; Infrastructure Minister Ray Danyluk; and Sustainable Resource Development Minister Mel Knight -- headed into the province's south, touching down in Pincher Creek.

The group headed to a proposed coal mine site and heard from some locals concerned about the development.

The ministers then headed to Twin Butte, site of a fatal buffalo goring last summer. Grazing leases on Crown land was the issue.

Lunch was at Luigi's Steak House, with local elected officials and others.

'This type of meeting is just excellent,' said Rod Cyr, Reeve of the MD of Pincher Creek. 'You can get a lot accomplished.

'Usually if we have an issue we have to go to Edmonton.'

That sentiment was echoed by Pincher Creek's deputy mayor Doug Thornton.

'What an opportunity to be able to sit down like this and talk to them,' said Doug.

'It's a dialogue.'

The group of ministers, hosted by Livingstone-MacLeod MLA Evan Berger, also dropped into Brocket, on the Piikani Reserve.

'A lot can get done when governments sit down together,' said band councilor Jordon Nochief.

After a presentation at the Traditional Knowledge Services Centre, the ministers toured the reserve's new $1.5 million day-care centre.

The province committed $800,000 through the First Nations Development Fund.

The cabinet ministers also met with civic officials and toured a wood truss factory in Fort MacLeod before finishing up the day in Lethbridge.

Alberta Cabinet ministers meet with Pincher Creek officials over lunch. (L-R) Pincher Creek Deputy Mayor Doug Thornton, town councilor Wayne Elliott, Bev Thornton from Alberta Finance and Enterprise, Rick Matheson, immigration consultant, and Millie Loueffler, GM of the local seniors lodge.

Capital Bonds

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

We all need a safe and affordable roof over our heads and the government is taking another step in the right direction to ensure we provide that for our seniors.

As a fortunate and successful province, we owe a lot of who we are today, to the work done by those before us. They now need safe and healthy accommodations to support their needs--and we're answering that call.

Today, Premier Stelmach announced 13 priority projects in 11 Alberta communities to provide senior's continuing care accommodations. To help build these projects, funding is coming from the sale of Alberta Capital Bonds and the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative. Specific details on projects will be announced in the coming months.

This investment supports the province's commitment to its Aging in the Right Place vision.

In December 2009, the government announced that the funds collected from the sale of new Capital Bonds would be used to improve availability of, and access to, needed continuing care accommodations for Alberta's seniors. Just over $75 million was earned from the sale of Alberta Capital Bonds.

$55 million from Albertans' investment in Capital Bonds is being used to supplement the $50-million Affordable Supportive Living Initiative, leveraging an even greater community investment, to enhance seniors' continuing care accommodations. Remaining funds from the sale of Capital Bonds will be used for future investment in seniors' accommodations.

Successful projects have been determined based on top priorities across the province and span the spectrum of continuing care facilities (including long-term care, designated assisted living and supportive living spaces). Facilities are expected to completed or well underway by 2012.

The End of an Era - Honouring First World War Service

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

Deputy Premier Doug Horner paid tribute to all of Canada's veterans Friday, with special heed to those who fought in the Great War, 1914-18.

The Deputy Premier noted the February passing of John 'Jack' Babcock, Canada's last known veteran of the First World War.

'As we honour Jack Babcock and his generation for their service to our country, we also mark the end of an era,' he said.

'I found myself wondering, 'what happens to an event like World War I once the last person who experienced it dies?'

'Most people would say we honour them by remembering, by wearing poppies on Remembrance Day, by taking part in national days of remembrance like today.'

Canada's veterans of all conflicts - historic and present-day - deserve more, said Deputy Premier Horner.

'To properly remember, we need to learn first,' he said. 'To truly honour their service we need to take responsibility to educate ourselves about their service.'

The Deputy Premier challenged all Canadians to find a history book, talk to a learned elder or go online to better understand the sacrifices and courage of those who participated in fighting to uphold freedom.

Veterans Affairs Canada - End of an Era
Veterans Affairs Canada - Links to more information

Deputy Premier of Alberta, The Honourable Doug Horner, inspects the Guard of Honour at the Alberta Legislature.

Construction set to start on southeast Calgary Ring Road

Mandi.rondeau@assembly.ab.ca — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

Calgary motorists will be getting some more traffic relief.

Premier Ed Stelmach was in the city to announce that construction will start next month on the next leg of the Calgary ring road.

Alberta's business-friendly environment was hailed by the companies who have been contracted to build the route.

'It is such a pleasure to do business in Alberta,' said Elisabeth Hivon, President of the Chinook Roads Partnership. 'It is a great environment to do business and we will be engaging the local business community to join in the delivery of this important infrastructure.'

SNC-Lavalin Inc., and Acciona S.A., the partners in Chinook Roads, have business interests around the world.

With 25 kilometres of six-lane roadway and no signal lights on the main line, the ring road extension will go a long way to reducing traffic congestion in the city.

'I'm looking forward to driving on this new stretch of road,' said Premier Stelmach.

The project will save $1 billion for taxpayers thanks to the use of an innovative public-private partnership (P3).

'We had an excellent response from industry for this project,' said Premier Stelmach. 'This shows that industry is confident in our P3 process and that Alberta is an excellent place to invest.'

By fall 2013, motorists will be driving the newest leg of Stoney Trail from 17 Avenue SE to just east of Macleod Trail.

'This is the largest single highway project in Alberta's history, in terms of scope,' said Luke Ouellette, Minister of Transportation. 'Construction will start in May and when completed in fall 2013, roughly 70 per cent of the Calgary Ring Road will be in service, all of it free-flowing.'

The latest section of the ring road will feature nine interchanges, two railway crossings, one roadway overpass and 29 bridge structures.

'I think you'll agree. Not much business is accomplished when we're stuck in traffic,' said Jim Prentice, federal Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre-North. 'The roadway has real and lasting benefits for the people of Calgary.'

Mayor Dave Bronconnier said the timing couldn't be better.

'The southeast area is one of the fastest growing and most congested areas of the city,' said Mayor Bronconnier.

(from left to right): Minister of Transportation, Luke Ouellette; Jim Prentice, Federal Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre-North); City of Calgary mayor, David Bronconnier; Premier Ed Stelmach, Reeve Lois Habberfield of MD Rocky View and Elisabeth Hivon from Chinook.