GOAL 2:  OUR CHILDREN WILL BE WELL CARED FOR, SAFE, SUCCESSFUL AT LEARNING AND HEALTHY

Key Strategies:

Key strategies in italics are associated with the Alberta Children and Youth Services, a cross-ministry initiative of the Alberta Government, detailed in the Cross-Ministry Initiatives section below. 

• continue implementation of the Alberta Children and Youth Services Initiative with an emphasis on cross ministry initiatives to improve supports and resources to children, youth and families (AAND, CD, CS, HRE, HW, LEARN, SG)

• address the recommendations of the Task Force on Children at Risk and Children’s Forum (CS, HW, LEARN, SG)

• support Child and Family Services Authorities and other partners in the delivery of community-based, integrated services to children, youth and families, with an emphasis on early intervention, meeting the needs of Aboriginal children and providing transitions for youth (AAND, CD, CS, HRE, HW, LEARN, SG)

• provide a range of integrated health and related support services to identified students with special health needs registered in school programs (CS, HW, LEARN)

• provide low income families with benefits and services that their children require (HRE)

• introduce health strategies to address priority health issues, including low birth weight babies (CS, HW)

• identify strategies for integrated mental health services to children, youth and families (CS, HW, LEARN)

Core Measure:

Well Being of Children

Description:  Percentage of Alberta children living in families with incomes above the Market Basket Measure (MBM) low income threshold.

Target:  To be determined once baseline is established.

GOAL 3:  ALBERTA STUDENTS WILL EXCEL

Key Strategies:

• enhance school-readiness opportunities for children from birth to three years of age (CS, LEARN)

• build a solid foundation for learning by focusing on early grades (LEARN)

• improve student learning by continuing to implement, evaluate and communicate results of the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI) with stakeholders (LEARN)

• meet diverse learner needs by ensuring there is the physical, technological and human resource capacity to meet the demands of the learning system (HRE, INFRA, LEARN)

• ensure that students’ financial needs are not a barrier to participating in learning opportunities (HRE, LEARN)

• expand opportunities for youth to develop career preparation and employability skills (HRE, LEARN)

• improve assessment and reporting of learner achievement (LEARN)

Core Measures:

Educational Attainment

Description:  High school or post-secondary completion.

Target:  By 2005, 90% of Albertans aged 25-34 will have completed high school, and 62% will have completed post-secondary education. Maintain or improve inter-provincial ranking.

Literacy and Numeracy Levels

Description:  Achieving the acceptable standard in language arts and mathematics.

Target:  85% of Grade 9 students are expected to achieve the acceptable standard on provincial achievement tests in language arts and mathematics.

GOAL 4:  ALBERTANS WILL BE INDEPENDENT

Key Strategies:

• improve transitions for youth among school, further learning and work (CS, HRE, LEARN)

• develop ministry-wide strategies through the People and Prosperity Initiative that help Albertans contribute to and share in Alberta’s economic prosperity (HRE, ED, LEARN, all ministries)

• ensure up-to-date information is available to all Albertans on labour market needs, career preparation and opportunities for further learning (HRE, LEARN)

• continue efforts to get social assistance clients into the workforce by improving training programs and providing financial and health benefits (HRE)

• continue to prepare Alberta for an aging population by facilitating independence and well-being among older adults through collaborative projects and partnerships (SENIORS)

Core Measure:

Economic Status of Albertans

Description:  Increase the percentage of people in Alberta living above the Market Basket Measure (MBM) low income threshold.

Target:  To be determined once baseline is established.

GOAL 5:  ALBERTANS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR BASIC NEEDS WILL RECEIVE HELP

Key Strategies:

• continue to improve income support services for Albertans who are unable to provide for their basic needs and require financial assistance (HRE)

• sponsor initiatives which provide effective supports to Albertans with developmental and other disabilities, and promote their inclusion in community life (CD)

• provide financial assistance to lower-income seniors through the Alberta Seniors Benefit and Special Needs Assistance for Seniors programs (SENIORS)

• facilitate the provision of low cost to Albertans most in need, including supportive housing for seniors (SENIORS)

• implement strategies to address homelessness in conjunction with municipal governments, local authorities, community groups and the private sector (HRE, HW, SENIORS)

• provide justice related services such as maintenance enforcement, estate and trust administration services, and legal aid to Albertans in need (JUS)

Core Measure:

Economic Status of Albertans

Description:  Increase the percentage of people in Alberta living above the Market Basket Measure (MBM) low income threshold.

Target:  To be determined once baseline is established.

GOAL 6:  THE WELL-BEING AND SELF-RELIANCE OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLE WILL BE COMPARABLE TO THAT OF OTHER ALBERTANS

Key Strategies:

Key strategies in italics are associated with the Aboriginal Policy Initiative, a cross-ministry initiative of the Alberta Government, detailed in the Cross-Ministry Initiatives section below. 

• improve the health status and well-being of Aboriginal people (AAND, CD, CS, HW)

• improve the educational attainment of Aboriginal learners (AAND, CS, HRE, LEARN)

• increase the collaborative participation of Aboriginal governments, organizations and people in the design and delivery of programs and services (all ministries)

• promote the appreciation and preservation of Aboriginal cultures in Alberta (AAND, CD, CS, JUS)

• increase the participation by Aboriginal people in the Alberta economy (all ministries)

• clarify federal/provincial/Aboriginal roles and responsibilities (all ministries)

Core Measure:

Aboriginal Well-Being

Description:  Aboriginal well being is measured by comparing the employment rate and the high school completion rate of Alberta’s Aboriginal people to those of non-Aboriginal people, and by comparing the life expectancy of registered Indians to that of all Albertans.

Target:  By 2010: the difference in employment rates of Aboriginal Albertans and other Albertans will be less than 10%; the percentage of Aboriginal learners 15 years of age or older with high school completion will be 60% and 30% with post-secondary completion (comparable 1996 percentages were 52.2 and 24.9, respectively); the difference in life expectancy of Registered Indians in Alberta and all Albertans will be reduced by one year.

The goals for the Prosperity core business focus on protecting the quality of life in Alberta through the government’s priorities for our economy, work force and work places, infrastructure, value-added industries, export trade, and financial and fiscal position.

Key Strategies:

Key strategies in italics are associated with the Economic Development Strategy, a cross-ministry initiative of the Alberta Government, detailed in the Cross-Ministry Initiatives section below. 

• continue to promote the Alberta Advantage (all ministries)

• continue implementation of the Economic Development Strategy to enable Albertans to meet future economic challenges (ED, IS, LEARN, all ministries)

• develop a collaborative approach to regional economic development that builds on regional goals, priorities and strengths (AAND, AEDA, AFRD, ED, ENERGY, ENV, IIR, MA, SRD)

• ensure the sufficient supply of skilled labour to meet Alberta’s economic growth (ED, HRE, IIR, LEARN)

• encourage investment and economic activity by maintaining a globally competitive tax regime (AEDA, ED, FINANCE)

• implement the business tax plan as affordable (FINANCE, REVENUE)

• work with industry to attract domestic and international investment (AEDA, AFRD, ED, ENERGY, IIR, IS, SRD)

• support the expansion of Alberta’s tourism industry and promotion of Alberta as a world-renowned tourism destination (AEDA, CD, ED)

• improve the ability of start-up and early stage companies to access the capital they need to get their businesses up and running (AEDA, AFRD, ED, IS)

• remove barriers to national and international trade and investment so Alberta businesses can compete in new markets (AFRD, ED, IIR, TRANS)

• strengthen the research capability of Alberta’s universities (IS, LEARN)

Core Measures:

Gross Domestic Product

Description:  Long term growth rate of the Alberta economy as measured by the three year average annual growth rate of nominal provincial Gross Domestic Product.

Target:  Three year annual average GDP growth rate of 4%.

Job Growth

Description:  Net number of jobs created in Alberta on an annual average basis.

Target:  295,000 new jobs in the 6 years ending December 2005.

GOAL 8:  OUR WORKFORCE WILL BE SKILLED AND PRODUCTIVE

Key Strategies:

• improve Albertans’ ability to enter the workforce and keep pace with changing skill needs (AEDA, AFRD, ED, HRE, LEARN, PAO)

• remove barriers that prevent people from moving easily from job to job or place to place in order to work (AAND, AEDA, ED, HRE, IIR, LEARN, PAO, TRANS)

• build a strong Alberta public service through continued implementation of the Corporate Human Resource Development Strategy (PAO, all ministries)

• improve the knowledge and skills of Alberta youth, particularly as they relate to employability and the transitions between learning and work (AFRD, CD, HRE, LEARN)

• strengthen connections between school and workplace learning (AFRD, CD, HRE, LEARN)

• develop approaches to ensure Albertans have the skills and knowledge they need to meet the changing economy based on identified labour force demand and supply pressures (HRE, IS, LEARN)

Core Measure:

Skill Development

Description:  Employer satisfaction with recent post-secondary graduates’ skills.

Target:  85% of employers satisfied with recent post-secondary graduates’ skills.

Key Strategies:

• expand Alberta’s focus on research, knowledge and technology that results in viable commercial products, processes and services (AFRD, ED, ENERGY, IS, SRD)

• encourage the innovative application of new technologies by resource-based industries to sustain future competitiveness and resource bases (AEDA, AFRD, ED, ENERGY, IS, SRD)

• encourage the development of private sector product development and testing facilities (AFRD, ED, IS)

Core Measure:

Business Innovation

Description:  Alberta business use of the Internet as measured by the percentage of Alberta households with at least one member who uses the Internet at work.

Target:  Alberta business use of the Internet will be among the three highest of the provinces.

GOAL 10:  ALBERTA'S VALUE-ADDED INDUSTRIES WILL LEAD ECONOMIC GROWTH

Key Strategies:

• use technology in targeted sectors to expand Alberta's value-added industries (AEDA, AFRD, ED, ENERGY, IS, SRD)

• expand Alberta's economy by defining and taking action on key science and technology priorities (ED, ENERGY, IS, SRD)

• expand in-Alberta opportunities for secondary processing of renewable and non-renewable resources (AEDA, AFRD, ED, ENERGY, IIR, SRD)

• facilitate the growth of value-added industries, especially in the agri-food, energy forestry, and information and communication technology sectors (AAND, AFRD, ED, ENERGY, IIR, IS, SRD)

Core Measure:

Value-Added Industries

Description:  Percentage of provincial GDP contributed by the manufacturing and knowledge-intensive service industries as proxies for value-added industries in Alberta.

Target:  Alberta’s value-added industries will account for an increasing percentage of Provincial GDP.

GOAL 11:  ALBERTA WILL HAVE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE

Key Strategies:

• implement initiatives to ensure effective and innovative capital planning and funding of government supported infrastructure through the government-wide capital planning initiative (FINANCE, INFRA, TRANS, all ministries)

• promote cooperative initiatives among business and industry, government and municipalities, authorities and boards to address the need for infrastructure development (AAND, AEDA, CD, ED, GAMING, INFRA, MA)

• facilitate trade, investment and economic activity by improving key highway routes, including the North-South Trade Corridor (IIR, TRANS)

• work with local governments to strengthen rural and urban transportation partnerships and ensure that Alberta has a safe and efficient system of roads (MA, TRANS)

• complete restructuring of Alberta’s electric industry and manage the transition to a deregulated market (ENERGY)

• protect Alberta’s multi-billion dollar investment in physical infrastructure for educational institutions, health care, seniors’ and social housing, courts, irrigation, water management, heritage facilities and other government programs through appropriate maintenance and upgrading (AFRD, CD, ENV, HW, INFRA, LEARN, MA, SENIORS, SRD, TRANS)

• develop a high speed, provincial technology network that will ensure high speed Internet and wide-area network availability so that all Albertans can access provincial government services (GS, LEARN, HW, IS, all ministries)

• develop and implement advanced telecommunications, infrastructure management, and information management systems for improved communications and service delivery (CD, GS, HW, IS, SG)

Core Measure:

Infrastructure Capacity

Description:  Sufficiency of Alberta’s infrastructure system as measured by the ease of traffic flow on Alberta’s national highway system, the utilization rate of our export gas pipelines and the level of sponsored research at Alberta’s universities.

Target:  95% of rural sections of the National Highway System at level of service B or better upon completion of the North-South Trade Corridor; export gas pipeline capacity will exceed demand; continue to increase sponsored research at Alberta universities.

GOAL 12:  ALBERTA WILL HAVE A FINANCIALLY STABLE, OPEN AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT

Key Strategies:

• continue to implement current fiscal policies of balancing the budget, orderly paydown of debt, low taxes, targeted spending and capital planning (FINANCE, all ministries)

• develop and maintain a long term revenue management framework that meets Alberta’s needs and is consistent with Albertans’ values (FINANCE, REVENUE)

• provide regular reports to Albertans on government goals, as well as financial and non-financial performance results (all ministries)

• eliminate unnecessary regulations (all ministries)

• provide efficient management of government resources and communications (FINANCE, INFRA, IS, PAB, PAO, all ministries)

• improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of Alberta government administrative services through the Alberta Corporate Service Centre initiative (all ministries)

• improve Albertans’ access to government information and services through the continued development of an Alberta One-Window initiative (GS, all ministries)

• meet Albertans’ requested needs for more information on government programs and services, and make it easier for them to give their feedback and opinions (all ministries)

Core Measures:

Provincial Credit Rating

Description:  Alberta’s blended credit rating for domestic debt relative to the other provinces.

Target:  The highest blended credit rating for domestic debt among the provinces.

Accumulated Debt

Description:  Alberta’s accumulated debt, which is the sum of the outstanding consolidated debt of the General Revenue Fund, the debt of the Alberta Social Housing Corporation and the government’s liability for school construction.

Target:  Reduce the March 31, 2000 accumulated debt by at least 13% by 2004-05 and eliminate it no later than 2024-25.

Government Accountability

Description:  Percentage of Albertans aware of the government’s financial performance in the past year.

Target:  80% of Albertans aware of the government’s financial performance.

GOAL 13:  ALBERTA WILL HAVE A FAIR AND SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT

Key Strategies:

• promote high standards in the workplace for labour relations and workplace health and safety (HRE, PAO)

• support community organizations undertaking educational initiatives that promote fairness and access, and that increase understanding and appreciation of the benefits of Alberta’s growing diversity (CD)

Core Measure:

Workplace Climate

Description:  Alberta’s provincial ranking of the number of person-days lost due to work stoppages and due to workplace injury and disease, per 10,000 person-days worked.

Target:  The rate of person-days lost to work stoppages, and workplace injury and disease will be among the three lowest of all the provinces.

GOAL 14:  ALBERTA BUSINESSES WILL INCREASE EXPORTS

Key Strategies:

• implement Alberta’s International Marketing Strategy to focus trade and investment efforts in targeted regions and industries (AFRD, ED, ENERGY, IIR, IS, LEARN, SRD)

• improve Alberta’s ability to compete and do business in global markets by expanding Albertans’ understanding of world languages and cultures (AEDA, ED, IIR, LEARN)

• provide Alberta businesses with information/intelligence to identify emerging opportunities and enhance market access (AFRD, ED, IS)

• coordinate Alberta’s participation in strategic international relationships and agreements with key trading partners (ED, IIR, IS)

Core Measure:

Export Trade

Description:  Alberta’s international value-added exports, measured in current dollars.  This includes manufactured goods, tourism and other services.

Target:  Increase international value-added exports to $28.5 billion by the year 2004.

The goals for the Preservation core business reflect the government’s priorities for community safety, our renewable resources, the environment, our natural, historical and cultural resources, and Alberta’s relations with other levels of government.

GOAL 15:  ALBERTA WILL BE A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE FAMILIES

Key Strategies:

• protect human rights for all Albertans through the resolution of complaints made under the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act (CD)

• protect persons in care by investigating all allegations of abuse in accordance with the Protection for Persons in Care Act (CD)

• provide services to victims and ensure victims have a meaningful role in the criminal justice system (JUS, SG)

• review the recommendations arising from the MLA Policing Review (SG)

• explore, refine, and support innovative alternatives to the criminal justice system for vulnerable Albertans (HW, JUS, SG)

• work in partnership with Solicitor General of Canada to develop an implementation plan for a national sex offender registry (SG)

• assist municipalities in preparing for emergencies and responding to major disasters (ENV, MA, SRD)

• protect citizens, assets and infrastructures from terrorist threat or activity by ensuring policies and procedures are in place to implement the Government of Alberta Crisis and Consequence Management Plans (ENERGY, ENV, IIR, INFRA, JUS, MA, SG)

• build capacity in schools and communities to provide safe and caring environments (CS, HW, LEARN, MA)

• improve support for families through family law reform (CS, HRE, JUS)

• investigate marketplace practices and take appropriate enforcement action in support of the Fair Trading Act (GS)

• partner with government, consumer groups, business associations and the media to improve consumer education and marketplace awareness (GS)

• improve traffic safety through safer roads, appropriate driver licensing standards, including an impaired driver strategy, education and awareness programs, motor carrier compliance, and monitoring driver fitness and behaviors (JUS/SG, TRANS)

• partner with municipalities and industry to provide an effective and accountable safety codes system for the administration of safety codes and standards (MA)
  

Core Measure:

Crime Rate

Description:  Alberta’s violent and property crime rates expressed as a percentage of the national rate.

Target:  Reduce Alberta’s crime rates below the national rates by 2005.

GOAL 16:  ALBERTA'S RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES WILL BE SUSTAINED

Key Strategies:

• provide clear, effective direction and guidelines for the use, management, regulation and development of Alberta’s renewable resources (AFRD, ENERGY, ENV, SRD)

• reduce the impact of natural hazards such as fire, pests, drought and floods on property, people, and resources (AFRD, ENV, SRD)

• implement a long-term, environmentally-sustainable approach to agriculture and forest industry development that supports stable economic growth (AFRD, IS, SRD)

Core Measures:

Renewable Resource Sustainability

Description:  Timber sustainability compares the annual timber harvests with the long-term sustainable annual allowable cut. Land quality measures the annual provincial crop yield per acre converted to a standard base of tonnes per acre of wheat.

Target:  Keep timber harvests at or below the annual allowable cut. Achieve sustainable crop yields of 0.92 tonnes per acre by 2004.

GOAL 17:  THE HIGH QUALITY OF ALBERTA'S ENVIRONMENT WILL BE MAINTAINED

Key Strategies:

• ensure standards are acceptable to maintain the quality of air, land, water and ecosystems (ENV, SRD, TRANS)

• ensure public accountability for environmental management by clearly defining roles and responsibilities of federal and provincial governments, as well as industry (AEDA, ENERGY, ENV, IIR, SRD)

• provide predictable, consistent, and streamlined regulations for land use and resource management (AEDA, ENERGY, ENV, SRD)

• maintain current levels of public safety, resources, conservation and environmental protection through effective environmental monitoring and enforcement programs (AFRD, ENERGY, ENV, SRD)

• reduce Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions by developing climate change policies and programs while maintaining Alberta’s economic advantage (ENV)

Core Measures:

Air Quality

Description:  Index of outdoor concentrations of five major air pollutants monitored at eight stations across the province.

Target:  Maintain air quality levels that are considered ‘good’ or ‘fair’ at all times.

Water Quality

Description:  Index of four variable components (metals, nutrients, bacteria, and pesticides) tested monthly at two locations for each of the province’s six major river systems.

Target:  Bring river water quality downstream of developed areas in line with upstream conditions, while maintaining overall river water quality.

Land Quality

Description:  Measure of the annual provincial crop yield per acre converted to a standard base of tonnes per acre of wheat.

Target:  Achieve sustainable crop yields of 0.92 tonnes per acre by the year 2004.

GOAL 18:  ALBERTANS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THE PROVINCE'S NATURAL, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

Key Strategies:

• support and encourage the development of sport and recreation, arts, libraries and culture as essential characteristics in Alberta’s quality of life (CD, GAMING)

• preserve, protect and present Alberta’s unique history and culture through programs, exhibits, historic sites and museums and interpretive centres (CD)

• coordinate and support a province-wide library system and continue the development and long-term sustainability of the Alberta Public Library Electronic Network (CD)

• protect and manage Alberta’s parks and protected areas (CD, SRD, TRANS)

• improve Albertans’ understanding of their environment (CD, ENV, SRD)

• provide Albertans with opportunities to contribute to environmental protection and natural resource management (CD, ENV, SRD)

Core Measure:

Heritage Appreciation

Description:  Reports annual visitations to provincial parks and recreation areas and to provincially-owned historic sites, museums and interpretive centres.

Target:  99% satisfaction of visitors with their experiences at provincially-owned historic sites, museums and interpretive centres. Target for provincial parks and recreation areas to be determined once baseline is established.

GOAL 19:  ALBERTA WILL WORK WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS AND MAINTAIN ITS STRONG POSITION IN CANADA

Key Strategies:

• improve fiscal arrangements to ensure that federal revenues are shared fairly among the provinces (FINANCE, IIR)

• ensure Alberta’s interests are represented and protected in key federal programs and initiatives, and interprovincial and international negotiations (IIR)

• work in partnership with local governments to promote healthy and sustainable communities throughout Alberta (CD, ED, MA, GAMING)

• work in partnership with municipalities to clarify roles and responsibilities (MA)

• continue to promote a strong and united Canada (all ministries)

Core Measure:

Intergovernmental Relations

Description:  Results of national opinion poll surveying the views of Canadians regarding the performance of their provincial and federal governments in various areas of governance.

Target:  Maintain the Alberta government’s public approval rating in federal-provincial relations equivalent to the average approval rating of the four nearest provinces.

The next section presents the four priority cross ministry initiatives the government has chosen to highlight in the 2002-05 Government Business Plan.

These types of initiatives require a corporate focus in order to be addressed effectively.

HEALTH SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

Purpose: To enhance the sustainability of the health care system now and in the future by strengthening collaboration and coordination across Ministries.

Related Government Business Plan Goals:
Goal 1 - Albertans will be healthy.
Goal 5 - Albertans unable to provide for their basic needs will receive help.
Goal 12 - Alberta will have a financially stable, open and accountable government.

Ministry Champions:  Health and Wellness, Seniors, Finance

Objective: Collaborative government response to the recommendations in the Premier's Advisory Council on Health report that would benefit from a cross-ministry approach.

Work collaboratively on recommendations related to health promotion/disease prevention, healthy aging, early childhood development and incentives to stay healthy. Address relevant barriers that may impede success of other recommendations, (for example, conflicting policies between Ministries), as identified by the PACH Implementation Team.

Targets: 

– Policy framework developed by October 2002, with 10 year health objectives and targets for diabetes, obesity, physical
activity, chronic heart and lung disease, substance abuse and accident injury.

– Healthy Aging and Seniors Wellness Framework integrated into the Regional Health Authority 10-Year Continuing Care Service Plans due July 2002.

– Early childhood development indicators focused on the determinants of health, implemented by October 2002.

– Early childhood development strategies integrated into the 2003-06 business plans of Ministries and Authorities.

– Coordinated health education and information campaign developed by June 2002.

– Non-financial health incentives for individuals and communities identified by September 2002.

– Legislation introduced in spring 2003, to address the government direction in response to recommendations from the low income review.

– Other recommendations from the PACH referred to the Implementation Team that could benefit from cross-ministry collaboration, acted upon as appropriate.

Objective: Develop joint strategic capital priorities that support health sustainability within available resources.

Review funding alternatives for major health capital needs. Work with Health Authorities to update regional capital plans, including supportive living and long-term care plans, to ensure they identify operational implications and support provincial strategic priorities.

Targets: 

– Strategic capital priorities defined by June 2002. 

– Forecasts on future service needs for long-term care facilities and supportive living options coordinated between Ministries by December 2002.

– Barriers identified and plan developed by December 2002 to facilitate the expansion of supportive living options.

– Alternative funding mechanisms reviewed for major capital health initiatives, including public/private partnerships, private sector funding and leasing strategies, by June 2002.

– The utilization and roles of existing facilities reviewed by fall 2002, in the context of the report from the Premier’s Advisory Council on Health.

ALBERTA CHILDREN AND YOUTH INITIATIVE

Purpose: Support the healthy development of Alberta's children and youth through the joint efforts of provincial government ministries, local boards and authorities, families and communities.

Related Government Business Plan Goals:
Goal 2 - Our children and youth will be well cared for, safe, successful at learning and healthy
Goal 3 - Alberta students will excel
Goal 5 - Albertans unable to provide for their basic needs will receive help 
Goal 6 - The well being and self-reliance of Aboriginal people will be comparable to that of other Albertans
Goal 15 - Alberta will be a safe place to live and raise families

Ministry Champions:  Children's Services, Learning

Objective: Families with children and youth with complex special needs (developmental, physical health and/or mental health) will benefit from a co-ordinated cross-ministry approach to providing services.

Implement an integrated system of ministry mandates, policies, information sharing protocols, and resolution mechanisms to enable the effective management of complex high cost cases. Identify a process for regional joint management and accountability of services for children and youth with complex special needs. Over the long term, children and youth with complex needs and their families will benefit from coordinated long-term service plans, and families will be well informed and involved in determining necessary supports and services.

Targets:

Draft report for management of complex high cost cases completed 

– Provincial policy framework developed 
– 75% of regions report that a collaborative regional planning process is in place for children and youth with complex needs 

Objective: Youth are supported and assisted in making a successful transition into adulthood.

Realign support systems, including policies and practices, to minimize barriers to youth successfully transitioning to adulthood, and increase mentoring opportunities for high risk youth transitioning to adulthood. Over the long term, an increased percentage of youth (15-24 years) will be either enrolled in educational programs or employed.

Targets:

– 100% of partnering ministries review policies 
– Policy recommendations developed 
– Implementation of approved policies 
– Minimum of 10 communities report a collective increase of 300 adult mentors willing to mentor young people

Objective: Aboriginal children and youth are provided services for a healthy start in life and are supported through to a successful transition to adulthood.

By working with Aboriginal communities, enhance services available to Aboriginal children and youth, through improved coordination of services among provincial government ministries, the federal government, service providers and Aboriginal communities. Over the long term, the health status and educational achievement of Aboriginal children will improve and the Aboriginal youth suicide rate will be reduced.

Targets: 

– Consult with Elders to enhance the Aboriginal component of programs to support Aboriginal youth leaving prostitution 
– Program enhancements developed for Aboriginal youth leaving prostitution in at least 3 sites
– Provincial strategy to address Aboriginal youth suicide developed 
– Implement at least 10 programs in Aboriginal communities that promote the healthy birth and development of Aboriginal children

Objective: Duplication of partnerships at the regional level are minimized and a transition process of ACYI initiatives to communities established.

Improve the efficiency of service delivery by streamlining existing partnerships, administrative and accountability requirements for ACYI initiatives, and by developing a transition strategy for the long-term management of existing ACYI initiatives at the community level. Over the long term, integrated planning of children and youth initiatives at the regional level will be strengthened.

Targets: 

– 70% of the regions report that streamlining has enabled consolidation of ACYI partnerships at the regional level 
– 75% of ACYI strategies have transitional plans developed for community management (e.g., Student Health Initiative)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Purpose: A future of opportunity in a province that's unmatched through ministries working together with business, industry, communities, other governments and public institutions, employees and other stakeholders.

Related Government Business Plan Goals:
Goal 7 - Alberta will have a prosperous economy.

Ministry Champions:  Economic Development, Human Resources and Employment, and Learning

Objective: Continue to implement Alberta's economic strategy as outlined in "Get Ready Alberta".

The momentum of Alberta's economy is sustained by focusing on innovation, learning, competitiveness and quality of life. 

Targets: 

– Alberta SuperNet will be available to 133 communities and 968 schools, hospitals, libraries and provincial government buildings (this represents 31% of communities and 23% of public buildings targeted over the three year construction period).
– Increase the level of investment in Research and Development to $1.4 billion.
– Grow employment in the information and communications technology industry by 5000 new jobs.
– 33% of Albertans participating in post-secondary education.
– 72% high school completion rate.
– 25% of high school and post-secondary students enrolled in a second language.
– 80% of participants in employment training indicate they obtained an improved education or skill level.
– 25,000-30,000 new jobs.
– Accumulated debt (less cash set aside for future debt repayments) reduced to $5.8 billion by March 31, 2003.
– Value-added international exports: $23.6 billion.
– 77% of the North-South trade corridor (BC border west of Grande Prairie to Coutts) is open to four-lane traffic.
– Tourism revenues: $4.4 billion.
– % of Albertans rating their health status as excellent or very good continues to exceed the national average. 
– 97% of municipalities connected to the Internet and community network.
– Person days lost due to workplace injury and illness ranked among the three lowest provinces in Canada. 
– The gap between Alberta police reported crime rate and national rate per 100,000 population reduced by 2%.

Objective: Develop a broadly based, versatile economy by further diversifying Alberta's economic sectors.

Alberta's economy will be broadened and diversified through the development and implementation of a value-added strategy. Strategies pursued include expanding the marketplace for value-added products and services; facilitating investment in value-added industries; promoting the development of value-added industries in regions throughout the Province; increasing the competitiveness of Alberta's value-added industries and encouraging the use of new technologies in resource-based industries.

Targets: 

– An Alberta value-added strategy developed and implementation initiated.
– Increase the proportion of employment in Alberta's value-added manufacturing and professional, scientific and technical services to 16.4% of total employment.
– Value-added economic sectors' share of GDP: Under development.

Objective: A collaborative approach to regional economic development that builds on regional goals, priorities and strengths.

Endorsement of Concept Plan to develop a collaborative framework to assist regions to identify and pursue regional economic opportunities will be sought and an Action Plan to incorporate the initiative into department business plans developed.

Targets: 

– 76% of users are satisfied with information and advice received about the Regional Partnerships Services Program.
– Strengthen regional economic development alliances: Under development.
– Meet performance measures established in the Action Plan: Under development.
– Increase government collaboration in regional economic development alliances: Under development.

Objective: A sufficient supply of skilled labour to meet Alberta's economic growth.

Labour supply needs are to be addressed by increasing the skill and knowledge level of Albertans, the mobility of labour within Canada, and the number of immigrants to Alberta.

Targets: 

– 90% of the population aged 25-34 have a high school education.
– 58% of the population aged 25-34 have a post secondary education.
– 85% of employers are satisfied with the skills of post-secondary graduates.
– The number of occupations with an unemployment rate of less than 3% is 22.
– The annual net population inflow to Alberta is 32,000.
– The labour force participation rate remains the highest among all provinces in Canada.

During 2002-03, the outcome measures of the initiative will be reviewed and targets to 2010 established.

ABORIGINAL POLICY INITIATIVE

Purpose: To improve the well-being and self-reliance of Aboriginal people and clarify federal, provincial and Aboriginal roles and responsibilities.

Related Government Business Plan Goals:
Goal 6 - The well-being and self-reliance of Aboriginal people will be comparable to that of other Albertans.

Ministry Champions:  Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Justice and Children's Services

Objective: Improve the health status and well-being of Aboriginal people.

Improve access by Aboriginal people to health services. Improve the identification and treatment of disease.

10 Year Target: By 2010, reduce by one year, the difference in life expectancy between Registered Indians in Alberta and all Albertans.

Targets: 

– Implement 3 to 4 additional addictions initiatives in Aboriginal communities.
– Implement 2 Early Childhood Development Initiatives for children and families and a Mental Wellness Health Promotion campaign in Aboriginal communities.
– Increase the number of Aboriginal children who are permanently placed and the number of children returned to community care by an additional 10%.
– Develop baseline data on a range of health utilization indicators to provide annually updateable data to measure improvements in health status among Registered Indians.
– Improve the identification of diabetes and reduce complications (blindness, amputations and renal failure) among Registered Indians.
– Increase the number of on-going community-based Aboriginal health projects by 8%.
– Develop reporting methodology and report on fire statistics for Aboriginal communities.
– Increase the number of Aboriginal communities with active Youth Justice Committees by 15%.

Objective: Support life-long learning opportunities for Aboriginal people and promote appreciation of Aboriginal cultures.

Increase the educational attainment of Aboriginal students attending provincially supported educational institutions.

10 Year Target: By 2010, the percentage of Aboriginal learners 15 years of age or older with high school completion will be 60% and 30% with post-secondary completion (comparable 1996 percentages were 52.2 and 24.9 respectively).

Targets: 

– Increase the number of Aboriginal students attending selected post-secondary institutions by an additional 2%.
– Increase the percentage of Aboriginal students (with Registered Indian Status attending Alberta school jurisdictions under tuition agreements) achieving the Acceptable Standard on Grade 3, 6 and 9 Achievement Tests by 1%.
– Increase the total value of bursaries and the number of recipients of the Aboriginal Health Careers Bursary by an additional 8%.
– Work with Aboriginal communities and education providers on voluntary data collection.
– Collect baseline data on appreciation of Aboriginal culture at select Alberta parks and cultural facilities.

Objective: Increase the participation by Aboriginal people in the Alberta economy.

Encourage partnerships among Aboriginal communities/organizations, governments, industry and other stakeholders, to increase the participation by Aboriginal people in employment training and capacity building and entrepreneurship opportunities.

10 Year Target: By 2010, the difference in employment rates of Aboriginal Albertans and other Albertans will be less than 10 percentage points.

Targets: 

– Initiate 5 additional projects to provide training leading to employment in natural resource industries.
– Establish and implement apprenticeship projects for Aboriginal people in two additional communities by March 31, ‘03.
– Subject to demonstrated capacity, 100% of transportation and water projects being undertaken on First Nation reserve or Metis Settlement land will include an Aboriginal content clause for the supply of labour, equipment or material.
– Implement a pilot project with Statistics Canada to generate Aboriginal-specific Labour Force Survey data.
– Increase to 10 the number of Aboriginal organizations participating in Regional Economic Development Alliances.
– Initiate an additional 3 to 5 capacity building pilot projects with Aboriginal communities and other partners.

Objective: Clarify federal/provincial/Aboriginal roles and responsibilities.

Support the Alberta/Canada Partnership Forum with Aboriginal participation to develop collaborative projects.

Targets: 

– Produce a strategic overview of Aboriginal participation in the Alberta economy by September 30, 2002.
– Develop draft consultation policy and guidelines for consideration by Cabinet by November 30, 2002.
– Develop oil and gas consultation guidelines by March 31, 2003.