2005-06 Quarterly Budget Report:
Second
Quarter Activity Report
Released:
November 16, 2005
Table
of Contents
Updating
Albertans
In 2004, the government
introduced its 20-year strategic plan to build on the province's
strong fiscal and economic environment and create more opportunities
for Albertans and Alberta businesses to succeed. Today's Opportunities,
Tomorrow's Promise is the action plan that will help the government
achieve its vision of: "A vibrant and prosperous province where
Albertans enjoy a superior quality of life and are confident about
the future for themselves and their children." The strategic
plan is based on four pillars:
- Unleashing
innovation focuses on becoming a world leader in innovation,
research, development, and commercialization of new ideas.
- Leading in
learning requires making sure Albertans have the opportunities
they need to learn, adapt, and develop new knowledge and new skills.
- Competing in
a global marketplace is about creating a business and
investment environment that is recognized around the world as
an excellent place to do business.
- Making Alberta
the best place to live, work and visit means attracting
people to come to Alberta because it provides an environment in
which they can contribute their talents and create a quality of
life that meets their dreams.
The purpose of this quarterly
activity report is to show Albertans what activities the government
undertook over the past three months in support of this vision.
The following pages include some of those activities from each of
the government departments.
Listening
to Albertans
Government activities
are often influenced by the input received from Albertans. Through
public consultations, surveys, letters, phone calls, and e-mails,
Albertans share their concerns with and indicate what they expect
from government. In the second quarter, Albertans had a say as government:
- launched the public
consultation phase of A Learning Alberta, which included
an online survey to provide input from Albertans on a proposed
policy framework for the advanced learning system in Alberta.
In addition, eight regional stakeholder meetings were held across
the province in September and October, focusing on gathering feedback
on the steering committee's work. This feedback will be considered
at a Minister's Forum in November. (Advanced Education)
- began drafting
new legislation governing childcare programs in response to the
Social Care Facilities Licensing Act review. A discussion
guide and questionnaire was published to gather input from stakeholders
about what should be included in this Act. This input will be
used to develop recommendations for the creation of this new legislation.
(Children's Services)
- collected feedback
on a number of key recommendations related to the development
of natural gas in coal. The recommendations are from a multi-stakeholder
advisory committee that was established in November 2003 and are
based on technical information, feedback from Albertans, and research
from working groups. The committee's final report will be presented
to the Government of Alberta later this year. (Energy)
- established the
Environmental Protection Commission in response to the CN derailment
at Lake Wabamun. The commission was established to review and
make recommendations on Alberta's ability to respond to environmental
incidents. A progress report was provided on September 30, and
the committee's recommendations will be provided later this year.
(Environment)
- continued implementing
recommendations from the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA)
Electricity Project Team. Comments received during meetings
with stakeholders and the general public significantly impacted
the development of draft regulations for emissions trading and
the mercury control program. (Environment)
- announced a four
per cent premium reduction in mandatory automobile insurance,
effective November 1, 2005. The reduction was the result of the
first review of compulsory premiums by the Automobile Insurance
Rate Board, and brings total reductions to 15 per cent since the
introduction of reforms. (Automobile Insurance Rate Board, Finance)
- asked Alberta
consumers and industry leaders for input on Working Together
to Prevent Identity Theft, a discussion paper that outlines
proposed legislation to strengthen safeguards against identity
theft, including measures aimed at helping the victims of such
crimes. (Government Services)
- requested Albertans'
input regarding the review of Alberta's Employment Standards
Code and Regulation. Employment standards legislation establishes
the minimum standards of employment for workers and employers.
(Human Resources and Employment, HRE)
- announced an MLA-led
committee review of the Local Authorities Election Act.
This enhanced review will focus on local election procedures and
issues, including voter lists and identification, special ballots,
campaign advertising, and terms of office. (Municipal Affairs)
- provided advice
and information on natural gas and electricity topics to approximately
7900 Albertans through the Government of Alberta toll-free information
services. (Public Affairs Bureau; Energy; Government Services)
- supported the MLA
Task Force on Continuing Health Service and Accommodation Standards
with its public consultations, as well as its report and draft
recommendations. (Seniors and Community Supports; Health and Wellness)
- compiled and released the
results of 3,400 survey responses to the discussion guide for
the legislative review of the Dependent Adults Act and
Personal Directives Act. The input will be used to frame
discussion questions for public consultation sessions held in
October and November 2005. (Seniors and Community Supports)
- facilitated community
information and education sessions for Piikani Nation service
providers to discuss the risk to Aboriginal and First Nations
people of sustaining brain injuries. (Seniors and Community Supports).
- scheduled 30 lodge
standard surveys to identify and share best practices and evaluate
each lodge's level of compliance with the accommodation standards
as set out in the draft report from the MLA Task Force on
Continuing Care Health Service and Accommodation Standards.
(Seniors and Community Supports)
- consulted with
Albertans on a proposed Forest Management Planning Standard,
setting out the requirements for industry forest management plans
on Alberta's public land. The new standard will advance the province's
ability to manage Alberta's forests for sustainability and ensure
sound stewardship of our forests. (Sustainable Resource Development,
SRD)
Unleashing
Innovation/Competing in a Global Marketplace
Albertans are pioneers
- known for innovative thinking and a "can do" attitude.
It's this spirit that makes Alberta a leader on so many fronts.
Focusing on research, technology, and innovation will allow Albertans
to maximize traditional industries and broaden Alberta's economy.
Low taxes and the availability of untapped markets to export and
promote our goods, services, knowledge, and technology play a vital
part in achieving recognition as an excellent place to do business.
Making Alberta's infrastructure the best in the world is also important,
so citizens and businesses have the foundation they need to compete
in a global marketplace. In the second quarter, the government:
- opened an Alberta
Education Centre in Guadalajara, Mexico, and signed a new Memorandum
of Understanding with the state of Jalisco's Secretariat
of Education. Representatives from Alberta participated in meetings
with the country's senior government representatives and promoted
Alberta's post-secondary sector to partner institutions and businesses.
(Advanced Education)
- opened the new
Agri-Food Business Centre in Leduc to help Alberta's agri-food
entrepreneurs develop business skills and get more Alberta food
products on grocery shelves and onto Albertans' plates. (Agriculture,
Food and Rural Development, AFRD)
- announced a plan
to target age verification of all young cattle slaughtered in
Alberta processing plants by April 1, 2007, which will help establish
Alberta as a leader in cattle age verification and industry innovation.
(AFRD)
- resumed movement
of live Canadian cattle less than 30 months of age across the
U.S. border, after 789 days of border closures, by working closely
with federal and U.S. governments. (AFRD)
- amended regulations
in the Cooperatives Act to allow farmers' markets to
raise and pool capital funds, which allows for larger sales venues
and permanent facilities. (AFRD)
- completed a pilot
project to test the use of mobile computers for use by claims
adjusters in the field. The technology will lead to increased
accuracy, cost savings, and decreased turnaround times on claims
payments. (Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, AFSC)
- introduced the
concept of production insurance for livestock to livestock associations
in Alberta. Production insurance for livestock can help strengthen
the industry by stabilizing income after losses due to diseases
or weather-related events. (AFSC)
- approved two loans,
totalling $240,000, under the Beef Product and Market Development
Loan Program to assist with beef processing and increase
slaughter capacity in Alberta. (AFSC)
- hosted 200 international
scientists during the Dinosaur Park Symposium held at
the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Delegates discussed the significance
of Alberta's badlands and celebrated the 20th anniversary of the
museum and the 50th anniversary of Dinosaur Provincial Park. (Community
Development)
- commissioned a
Bitumen Upgrading Integration Study to identify the most
appropriate combination of products to make from bitumen in Alberta.
The study will describe the most cost effective plant and processes,
and estimate costs and revenues. This information will then be
used to prepare a compelling business case for upgrading bitumen
to transportation fuels, petrochemicals, and fertilizers in Alberta.
(Economic Development; Energy; Innovation and Science)
- released ST60B-2005:
Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring and Venting Report, which
reported a nine per cent reduction in solution gas flaring and
an 18 per cent reduction in the venting of solution gas into the
atmosphere by industry in 2004. Solution gas is natural gas that
is produced in association with crude oil and bitumen production.
Since 1996, solution gas flaring has been reduced by 72 per cent,
and, since 2000, solution gas venting has been reduced by 49 per
cent. (Energy and Utilities Board, EUB)
- released the Alberta's
Reserves 2004 and Supply/Demand Outlook 2005-2014 report.
The report includes estimates of bitumen, crude oil, natural gas,
natural gas liquids, coal, and sulphur reserves, as well as production
volumes for 2004 and a 10-year supply/demand forecast for each
resource. The complete report can be found on the EUB Web site
at www.gov.ab.ca. (EUB)
- streamlined regulations
by implementing three new codes of practice and amending seven
regulations. The new codes regulate more than 250 registrations
and approvals affecting compost facilities, waste management activities,
and coal and oil sands exploration activities. (Environment)
- implemented a
series of securities reforms, including amendments forming the
initial steps of a securities regulation passport system, in conjunction
with other provinces and territories. The reforms make it easier
for businesses to access capital markets in most Canadian jurisdictions.
The Provincial-Territorial Council of Ministers of Securities
Regulation, chaired by Alberta, met in September to approve a
work plan for further reforms to enhance investor protection and
improve the efficiency of Canada's capital markets over the next
year. (Finance)
- participated in
the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), which focused on the latest
trends in responsible gaming research, problem gambling treatment,
public policy, and global gaming trends. (Gaming)
- announced $143
million in funding to digitize X-rays and CT and MRI scans, allowing
doctors and patients faster access to reports and images, thereby
improving the quality of care available to Albertans. The project
will also allow hospitals and clinics across the province to share
images through the Electronic Health Record. (Health
and Wellness)
- increased Alberta's
minimum wage from $5.90 to $7.00/hour. (HRE)
- recognized 340
Alberta employers with Best Safety Performance Awards
for their exceptional workplace health and safety records. In
addition, three companies were recognized with Innovation
Awards for developing innovative workplace safety equipment
practices. (HRE)
- released the 2005
Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, representing more than 300,000
full-time and part-time employees and nearly 480 occupations.
Alberta is the only province in Canada to regularly produce a
wage and salary survey. The survey is available online at www.alis.gov.ab.ca/wageinfo.
(HRE)
- committed $40 million
to complete a new all-weather road between La Loche, Saskatchewan
and Fort McMurray, Alberta. The La Loche Road project will produce
a 65-kilometre gravel road from Highway 881 to the Saskatchewan
border, including a major bridge crossing at the Christina River.
(Infrastructure and Transportation)
- launched Science
and Technology Week 2005. As part of the campaign, Science
and Technology Week packages were distributed to Alberta
schools to provide teachers with information on science and technology
programs for students. The goal for the annual event is to encourage
Alberta students to consider careers in science and technology
and become part of the province's innovation community. (Innovation
and Science)
- hosted 2005
Innovation and Investment Week. During the event, national
and international investors had the opportunity to meet with growing
Alberta companies to learn about the province's investment prospects
in areas such as information and communications technologies and
life sciences technologies. More than 300 Alberta entrepreneurs
were introduced to Canadian and American investors at events including
the Alberta Life Technologies Investment Forum and the
Banff Venture Forum. (Innovation and Science)
- co-hosted a Canada-China
Heavy Oil Workshop with the China National Petroleum Corporation,
China University of Petroleum, and Canada's national Energy Innovation
Network (EnergyINet). The workshop focused on advances in exploration,
development, and production of heavy oil. The Canadian contingent
of 29 specialist in all aspects of heavy oil recovery and upgrading
was led by Mel Knight, MLA for Grande Prairie-Smoky and co-Chair
of the Alberta Energy Research Institute Board. (Innovation and
Science; Energy; Economic Development)
- chaired the
Council of the Federation summer meeting, where Premiers
from across Canada acted on a number of issues, including transportation,
energy, and post-secondary education and training. Canada-U.S.
relations and the softwood lumber dispute were also discussed
with the new U.S. Ambassador. (International and Intergovernmental
Relations, IIR)
- advanced Alberta's
objectives on energy, agriculture, and Canada-U.S. relations to
government and business leaders from the Pacific Northwest at
the annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region. (IIR)
- promoted Alberta's
energy industry at the World Petroleum Congress in South
Africa. During the congress, Premier Klein met with the leader
of Alberta's sister-province, Mpumalanga, to discuss continued
co-operation. He also met with German business leaders and learned
about Ireland's world-leading health infrastructure system. (IIR;
Economic Development; Energy; Advanced Education)
- hosted Mexican
President Vicente Fox, who visited Alberta to learn more about
the province's energy industry and reinforce his country's close
ties with Alberta. Mexico is Alberta's fourth largest trading
partner, with annual trade amounting to $1 billion. (IIR)
- initiated an assessor
internship pilot project with Saddle Hills County to help attract
and retain qualified property assessment professionals. (Municipal
Affairs)
- completed the Alberta
SuperNet, a broadband network that provides high-speed Internet
access to all provincial buildings, including schools, libraries,
health facilities, and government offices. The network also has
the capacity to bring high-speed Internet access to more than
86 per cent of Albertans, making it a key factor in rural Alberta's
social and economic development. (Restructuring and Government
Efficiency, RGE)
- provided SuperNet
workshop sessions in Whitecourt, Cochrane, and Medicine Hat. These
workshops were part of a series and offered more than 100 community
leaders and business owners with opportunities to learn more about
the Alberta SuperNet. (RGE)
- improved management
of surface development activities on public land, with a new digital
disposition mapping project. This automated system ensures more
effective land use and access management, provides greater certainty
to industry about the location of dispositions, and helps reduce
user conflicts. (SRD)
Leading
in Learning
Albertans know a solid
education builds the foundation for a strong and prosperous society.
Alberta's education system continues to be among the best in the
world and staying at the forefront means providing students with
the tools they need to achieve their potential. Investments in universities,
colleges, and technical institutes are increasing, so they can provide
high quality, affordable post-secondary education. This, in turn,
creates opportunities for life-long learners to adapt their skills
and develop new ones. A well-educated workforce is key to Alberta's
continued economic success. In the second quarter, the government:
- approved degree-granting
status for Grant MacEwan College for four-year Bachelor of Arts
degrees in Anthropology, Economics, English, History, Philosophy,
Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, as well as a four-year
Bachelor of Child and Youth Care degree program. This provides
more opportunities for students to reach their full potential
and increases access for students entering Alberta's post-secondary
system. (Advanced Education)
- launched a new
student loan application system, the first of its kind in Canada.
The new system allows post-secondary students to apply online
for financial assistance, have their application processed instantaneously,
and immediately see how much money they will receive. Full-time
students attending private vocational institutions can also use
this convenient new system. Albertans applying online for student
loans, grants and bursaries now have access to a greater range
of faster, more flexible and user-friendly electronic services.
(Advanced Education)
- announced $145
million, over three years, in new capital funding for projects
at post-secondary institutions. Projects included a $29 million
expansion to Red Deer College, providing more space for trades
training to help meet a growing demand in the region for skilled
labour, and a $12 million project at the University of Lethbridge,
enabling it to become a world leader in water research. Other
projects included expansions or renovations at Grande Prairie
Regional College, Lakeland College, Medicine Hat College, SAIT,
and the University of Calgary. Overall, the province's 2005-08
capital plan now includes $614 million for post-secondary institutions.
(Advanced Education; Infrastructure and Transportation)
- released Our
Children, Our Future, the 2003-04 Annual Report on early
childhood development and childcare. The report provides information
about how the provincial government supports early childhood development
programs and services, as well as discussions on various provincial
early learning and childcare initiatives. (Children's Services)
- announced $207
million in funding towards 22 school projects in 14 communities.
Up to $15.5 million in contingency funding was also committed
to offset rising fuel costs for school bus operations for the
2005-06 school year. (Education)
- provided $6 million
to support the effective implementation of a new social studies
curriculum that focuses on Canadian identity and citizenship for
grades four to seven. (Education)
- developed the First
Nations, Metis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework Progress
Report, to be made publicly available on the Alberta Education
website. (Education)
- announced $338,000
in bursaries to 78 Aboriginal students to advance their studies
in a health-related field of post-secondary study. (Health and
Wellness; Advanced Education)
- allocated new funding
for school boards towards infrastructure maintenance and renewal,
bringing the three-year total to $224 million. The commitment
for 2007-08 was increased by 140 per cent, from $40 million to
$96 million. (Infrastructure and Transportation)
Making
Alberta the Best Place to Live, Work and Visit
Albertans' vision is one
in which the province remains debt-free, with accessible, quality
health care and education, safe and caring communities, and an environment
that is preserved and protected. Alberta is a place that has something
for everyone. The province is known for its spectacular scenery,
rich cultural heritage and exciting history. Those attractions draw
visitors from around the world and keep them coming back year after
year. In the second quarter, the government:
PROMOTING
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
- introduced the
Daily Physical Activity initiative, the first part of
an overall wellness framework being developed for Alberta schools.
The initiative ensures students in grades one through nine take
part in 30 minutes of physical activity each day as part of their
curriculum. (Education)
- released the Getting
on with Better Health Care package, which outlines 13 health
renewal initiatives for 2005 and 2006. (Health and Wellness)
- informed Albertans
about incidents of West Nile virus and the precautions they can
take to protect themselves. (Health and Wellness; Environment;
SRD; AFRD; Municipal Affairs)
- committed $2.5
million to the renovation and upgrading of the Airdrie Community
Health Centre. (Infrastructure and Transportation)
- completed regional
mental health plans to strengthen strategies that address the
needs of individuals diagnosed with more than one disability.
(Seniors and Community Supports; Alberta Mental Health Board)
SUPPORTING
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
- established a childcare
agreement with the federal government that allows Alberta to invest
in a variety of service delivery options that build on new and
existing parental-support programs. (Children's Services)
- concluded the final
stage of funding increases for foster parents. Changes implemented
earlier this year include increases to basic maintenance, respite,
travel, and subsistence rates, and an increase in recreational
allowance for foster children. (Children's Services)
- supported 450 young
athletes and coaches to compete at the 2005 Canada Summer Games
in Regina. Team Alberta won 100 medals in the 20 events, a best-ever
result in this competition. (Community Development)
- published the second
edition of Saving the World Begins at Home, a Personal Guide
to Managing Household Waste. This popular booklet assists
Albertans in making better decisions at home about what to buy,
how to dispose of it, how to minimize waste, and how to help protect
our environment. (Environment)
- completed renovations
to the Lac La Biche Labour Market Information Centre. The centre
now has more computers and resources for job-seeking Albertans
and can better assist employers looking for workers. (HRE)
- signed phase two
of the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Program, which committed
a total of $63 million over the next two years to create a minimum
of 440 supportive and affordable living units. (Seniors and Community
Supports)
- conducted more
than 100 presentations across Alberta to educate Albertans about
personal directives, the Personal Directives Act, and how to make
choices for the future. (Seniors and Community Supports)
BUILDING
STRONGER AND SAFER COMMUNITIES
- gathered research
and evidence during discussions with leading experts in the fields
of domestic violence and drug-endangered children. The information
will be used to determine if the programs and services discussed
would be beneficial to Albertans. (Children's Services)
- held a special
centennial event to celebrate the achievements of Alberta's
Promise and award 60 new partner agencies with little red
wagons. During the event, a new video was launched that will help
spread the Alberta's Promise message and recruit new
partners. (Children's Services)
- celebrated Alberta's
centennial on September 1st with AlbertaSpirit, a province-wide
event linking ten communities through video screens and simultaneous
fireworks. About 250,000 people came together with television
and webcast audiences for the party of the century. (Community
Development)
- raised the curtain
on the renewed Northern and Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditoria.
Both facilities were renovated to improve accessibility, patron
sightlines, and acoustics. The 'Jubes' served as focal points
for Alberta's centennial celebrations on September 1st. (Community
Development)
- featured Alberta
musicians in 10 rural communities as part of Alberta Tracks:
A Centennial Music Celebration. Alberta Tracks presented
a line-up of diverse acts and concerts to approximately 5,000
people in small towns across Alberta. (Community Development)
- launched a program
to welcome visitors to Royal Canadian Legions throughout Alberta,
in recognition of our centennial year and the Year of the Veteran.
Ten provincially operated Travel Alberta Visitor Information Centres
and participating community information centres distributed Legion
directories to visitors. (Economic Development)
- delivered two Foreign
Worker Readiness information seminars, in partnership with
regional alliances. The purpose of the seminars was to educate
Alberta employers about the process of hiring foreign workers
to meet labour market shortages, and retaining temporary foreign
workers through the Provincial Nominee Program. (Economic
Development)
- launched four anti-bullying
demonstration projects in an effort to help Albertans reduce and
deal effectively with bullying. (Education)
- continued the June
2005 flood response by processing flood damage repairs and erosion
control approvals, drafting the Southern Region Emergency
Plan strategy, and reviewing flood risk mapping. (Environment)
- responded to the
CN derailment and resulting Wabamun Lake oil spill. More than
80 Environment and Sustainable Resource Development staff helped,
among other things, co-ordinate and review CN's cleanup effort
and monitoring plans, assist the Shoreline Clean-Up Assessment
Team, and design, manage, and report on lake water quality
monitoring. They, along with other organizations, also played
a major role in habitat restoration and rehabilitating affected
wildlife. (Environment; SRD)
- issued more than
480 Community Facility Enhancement Program and Community Initiatives
Program grants through the Alberta Lottery Fund. These grants
support various projects throughout the province, including everything
from facility repairs to specialized summer camp programs. (Gaming)
- approved the development
of a new casino for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation near Kananaskis.
The casino will generate employment and funds for social, economic,
and community development projects throughout the province. (Gaming
- issued consumer
alerts on a range of topics including e-mail scams, student tenants,
and how to ensure consumers are dealing with legitimate charities.
(Government Services)
- opened two new
interchanges in the province - one at Innisfail on the Queen Elizabeth
II Highway and one at Spruce Grove on Highway 16. These two interchanges,
which were built at a total cost of $49 million, will greatly
improve driver safety at these intersections. (Infrastructure
and Transportation)
- added Crown prosecutors
to the St. Paul-Vegreville office, providing more local service
in rural communities and allowing Edmonton prosecutors to focus
on cases within the city. (Justice)
- announced a new
disputes mediation program for Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, making
mediation more accessible across the province. (Justice)
- approved 208 grants,
totalling $8.43 million, under the 2005 Municipal Sponsorship
Program. More than $1.53 million of that grant total was
awarded to municipal infrastructure data collection projects.
(Municipal Affairs)
- provided $1.56
million in interest-free loans to 15 municipalities through the
Municipal Energy Efficiency Assistance Program (ME
first!). These loans will help municipalities achieve approximately
$225,000 per year in energy cost savings. The ME first!
Program supports initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and incorporate energy efficiencies into municipal operations.
(Municipal Affairs)
- provided funding
through the Homeless Initiative Program towards the purchase and
renovation of Elderberry House in Calgary, a residential facility
that will offer shelter for 16 women facing addictions, mental
health issues, and/or family violence. (Seniors and Community
Supports)
- introduced a request
for proposals to sell a 371-acre parcel of land in Fort McMurray
to increase the availability of land for housing, with an overall
goal of helping to stabilize the housing market. (Seniors and
Community Supports)
- provided $300,000
in new funding to the Wapiti Community Dorm and the Elders
Caring Shelter, two homeless shelters in Grande Prairie that
help address emergency housing concerns and ensure the ongoing
operations of these facilities. (Seniors and Community Supports)
- announced that
all 1,100 provincial frontline correctional staff will be outfitted
with stab-resistant protective vests, making Alberta the first
province in Canada to provide frontline correctional staff with
this type of body armour. (Solicitor General and Public Security)
- provided more than
$600,000 in Alberta Community Crime Prevention grants
to organizations across the province. The grant program is part
of the government's renewed crime prevention strategy to deliver
programs that deter crime, promote community safety, and address
the root causes of crime. (Solicitor General and Public Security)
- led a 10-day mission
to the United Kingdom to assess policing programs and public security
initiatives. The mission included meetings with law enforcement
officials to discuss police recruitment and training, public security
operations, counter-terrorism planning, strategies to combat organized
crime, and utilization of special constables. (Solicitor General
and Public Security)
- awarded 13 grants
totalling $335,000 to help organizations hold offenders accountable
to their victims and communities. Restorative justice is a voluntary,
collaborative approach in which victims feel safe and empowered,
offenders are held accountable, and communities are involved.
(Solicitor General and Public Security)
PROTECTING
ALBERTA'S NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE:
- executed an exchange
agreement with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. The agreement
provides the First Nation with a reserve of about 30,000 acres
at one of its traditional settlements, Old Fort Point, in exchange
for an equal amount of its existing reserve. (Aboriginal Affairs
and Northern Development, AAND)
- implemented the
Fort McKay Exchange, providing the Fort McKay First Nation
with a reserve where its members currently live, in exchange for
their original, unoccupied reserve. (AAND)
- provided a total
of 36 centennial grants to Aboriginal communities and organizations.
The grants were awarded to support the celebration of the contributions
of Aboriginal peoples to Alberta's past, present and future. In
this quarter, 18 centennial celebrations were held. (AAND)
- promoted homegrown
regional food products through dining experiences at more than
90 provincial restaurants during the third-annual Dine Alberta:
Savour Regional Flavour celebration. (AFRD)
- renewed three-year
funding for both the Alberta SPCA and Alberta Farm Animal Care,
strengthening farm animal welfare protection, programs, and education.
(AFRD)
- commenced construction
of a visitor centre in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, a government
centennial legacy project. The facility will encourage awareness
and understanding of the region's flora and fauna through interactive
exhibits and programs. (Community Development)
- worked with industry
to promote and present the Hybrid Lift Vehicle, an unmanned
aerial vehicle concept, to the oil and gas industry. The vehicle
would minimize the environmental impact of oilfield equipment
transport. (Economic Development)
- presented the
Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museum with $3 million from the
Alberta Lottery Fund to redevelop a historic downtown Edmonton
hotel into a museum. (Gaming)
- chaired a meeting
of Canada's Premiers and Aboriginal leaders. The meeting was an
opportunity for leaders to discuss their views and expectations
prior to this fall's First Minister's Meeting on Aboriginal issues.
(IIR)
- distributed special
2005 Centennial Medallions as a permanent souvenir of the province's
100th birthday. Approximately 500 Albertans 100 years of age or
older received a gold medallion, 700,000 Alberta children in kindergarten
to Grade 12 were given a student medallion, and 5,500 community
leaders and visiting dignitaries received a silver medallion.
(Public Affairs Bureau)
- managed mountain
pine beetle infestations, primarily in Willmore Wilderness Park
and Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park. Efforts included the cutting
and burning of more than 5,000 infested trees. (SRD; Community
Development)
- implemented the
chronic wasting disease response plan following the first case
of the disease found in a wild deer in the province. Alberta's
response included meetings with residents and a significant wild
deer cull. (SRD)
- established the
Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management Office
to look for ways to better co-ordinate natural resource and environmental
policies, information systems, regulations and processes across
government. (SRD; Energy; Environment)
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