2005-06 Quarterly Budget Report:
Third
Quarter Activity Report
Released:
February 27, 2006
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 third quarter, Albertans had a say
as government:
- co-ordinated
Alberta's participation in a very successful First Ministers'
Meeting on Aboriginal issues. The meeting took place in Kelowna
on November 24 and 25, 2005. Key agenda items discussed were relationships,
health, housing, education, and economic opportunities. (Aboriginal
Affairs and Northern Development, AAND)
- gathered
input from post-secondary stakeholders through the A Learning
Alberta Minister's Forum and pledged action in three priority
areas: learning foundations, support for Aboriginal learning,
and transforming the advanced learning system. (Advanced Education)
- unveiled
an early childhood development and childcare investment plan for
children aged six and under. This new plan will help make childcare
more affordable for Alberta families and improve access to early
childhood development opportunities. A toll-free phone line –
1-866-714-KIDS(5437) – was also established to provide families
with information on available early childhood development and
childcare programs. (Children's Services)
- organized
a second round of Ministerial meetings with trustees and superintendents
from Alberta's 62 public, separate, and francophone school boards
on issues of importance to them during the Minister of Education's
tour of 16 Alberta centres in October and November. Receptions
to meet with teachers and parents were held in 11 centres following
the school board meetings. (Education)
- consulted
with parents and other education stakeholders on literacy and
numeracy development for children in Kindergarten to Grade 3,
to reinforce Alberta Education's commitment to ensuring Alberta's
young students have the essential foundation skills for later
success in learning. (Education)
- completed
the first stage of an extensive consultation process with AltaLink
and affected landowners regarding a proposed transmission line
between Edmonton and Calgary. In total, more than 500 landowners
attended AltaLink's open house information sessions, which were
held at various locations in December 2005. (Energy)
- presented
the draft South Saskatchewan River Basin Water Management
Plan to local MLAs, followed by public review of the draft
plan. A Treaty 7 First Nations consultant has been retained to
provide technical capacity and support in the review of the draft
plan. Concerns raised during consultations will be compiled in
a report and considered before the plan is finalized. (Environment)
- held
six Youth Consultation Workshops between November
24 and December 2, 2005, to engage young Albertans between the
ages of 16 and 25 from different regions of the province in discussions
about environmental issues. They expressed their environmental
priorities and provided advice to Alberta Environment. Feedback
was also received from 275 youth from around the province through
an online survey. (Environment
- released
details on the Alberta Resource Rebate program, part
of the Government of Alberta's strategy for managing this fiscal
year's unanticipated resource revenue. Approximately $1.3 billion
will be distributed, with every eligible man, woman, and child
receiving a $400 resource rebate cheque. (Finance)
- presented
the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund (AHSTF) update
at this year's AHSTF open house. The purpose of the annual open
house is to report to Albertans on the activities and results
of the AHSTF and answer questions on its performance. Each year,
the meeting is held in a different location throughout the province
in an effort to involve as many Albertans as possible. This year's
meeting was held in Calgary. (Finance)
- provided
advice and information on registry and consumer topics
to 40,603 Albertans through the Alberta Government Services toll-free
call centre and another 2,736 Albertans, who contacted the department
by e-mail. Also provided advice and information on natural gas
and electricity topics to 524 Albertans through the Utilities
Consumer Advocate toll-free customer information centre. (Government
Services)
- hosted
a Minister's Forum, Developing a World Class Labour
Force, at which more than 100 people provided input on a
strategy to address labour force issues. (Human Resources and
Employment, HRE)
- accepted
30 recommendations from the MLA committee conducting a review
of the Local Authorities Election Act. The recommendations
will empower local decision-making and improve the municipal election
process. (Municipal Affairs)
- visited
31 municipalities throughout Alberta to consult with chief administrative
officers about projects funded under the 2005 Municipal Sponsorship
Program and to gather feedback about the program. (Municipal
Affairs)
- held
11 public meetings across Alberta to seek public input on the
legislative review of the Dependent Adults Act and Personal
Directives Act. Close to 300 interested Albertans attended.
(Seniors and Community Supports; Justice)
- completed
a governance review of the Natural Resources Conservation Board
that will ensure the province's confined feeding industry is administered
more responsively and effectively. (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 third quarter,
the government:
- implemented
a $224 million on-the-ground pilot project to facilitate
improvements to the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization
program for Alberta producers. (Agriculture, Food and Rural Development,
AFRD)
- signed
an agreement on value-added agricultural processing and product
development with Heilongjiang province in China. Key elements
include the development of a food-processing centre in Heilongjiang
and a joint brand that both Chinese and Alberta companies can
use to market products in both Asian and North American markets.
(AFRD)
- hosted
the first cross-country ski world cup event in Alberta in 16 years
at the renewed Canmore Nordic Centre. An estimated worldwide audience
of 50-70 million watched the Alberta Centennial World Cup
2005. (Community Development)
- released
information about the economic impact of Alberta's cultural sites
in 2005 Report: Economic Impact of Provincial Heritage Facilities
in Alberta. Alberta's cultural facilities and historic sites
generate more than $70 million in economic benefits and 1,100
permanent jobs annually. (Community Development)
- committed
a $35 million centennial investment from the provincial surplus
to the Calgary Zoo's Project Discovery. The project will
allow the zoo to further assert itself as a world leader in tourism,
education, and conservation. (Community Development)
- held
the fifth-annual Remediation Technologies Symposium
in Banff. The symposium focused on the latest innovations in soil
and groundwater remediation, including in-situ, ex-situ, biological,
and non-biological treatment methods. Participation has grown
from 225 delegates to nearly 500 delegates from across the western
hemisphere.
(Economic Development)
- launched
a new marketing initiative, the Heavy Oil Alberta Project
(HOAP). HOAP specifically addresses the opportunity to market
Alberta's niche technologies in heavy oil extraction, production,
and processing in the global marketplace. It will focus world
attention on Alberta being an international leader in heavy oil
equipment and services, leading to increased exposure for Alberta's
trade and investment initiatives. (Economic Development; Energy)
- improved
access to Registered Apprenticeship Program
(RAP) registrations through the development of a new, online form
and awarded a record number of RAP scholarships, which are used
to fund apprenticeship training after high school. A total of
226 high school graduates received a $1,000 RAP Scholarship in
2005, up from the 50 scholarships awarded in 2004. (Education;
Advanced Education)
- announced
that revenues from the sale of petroleum and natural
gas land leases and licenses reached an all-time high in 2005,
with the province adding $2.3 billion to its coffers. The revenues
generated from these land leases and licences benefit all Albertans
by contributing significant funding for priority programs such
as health, education, and infrastructure. (Energy)
- established
an MLA advisory committee on electric infrastructure
to ensure the province's transmission system expands at the pace
required to meet the needs of Alberta's growing economy and population.
The committee will advise the Minister of Energy about implementing
the plan to upgrade or expand various parts of the transmission
system so the regulatory approval process for transmission development
and land access can proceed constructively. (Energy)
- announced
13 pilot and demonstration projects that will advance technology
to aid in the development of existing and new oil, natural gas,
and in-situ reserves during the first phase of Alberta Energy's
Innovative Energy Technologies Program. (Energy)
- participated
in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Montreal,
promoting Alberta's leadership role in climate change. (Environment;
Innovation and Science)
- released
the progress report Achieving Commitments in the Provincial/Territorial
Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Securities Regulation
(MOU), which outlines the results achieved in 2005. The MOU, signed
by every province and territory except Ontario, represents an
unprecedented commitment to implementing a passport system for
an improved securities regulatory framework. (Finance)
- released
an interim report showing that during the first eight months of
the Alberta Hip and Knee Replacement Project, the new
care pathway is meeting its goal of ensuring patients receive
surgery within four months of their initial consultation, greatly
reducing wait times. (Health and Wellness)
- introduced
a cross-government policy to attract and retain immigrants
to help address skill shortages and support the successful transition
of immigrants into Alberta's economic, social, and cultural life.
The policy includes improving the processing time for foreign-credential
recognition and offering more training to address skill gaps.
(HRE)
- created
the Strategic Transportation Advisory Committee
to review and provide advice on a broad range of provincial transportation
issues. This external advisory committee was brought together
to assist the Alberta government in planning the future of transportation
in the province and to provide input into the long-term vision
necessary to address Alberta's transportation challenges. (Infrastructure
and Transportation)
- received
national recognition for the innovative approach to building the
Anthony Henday Drive Southeast, the province's first road to be
constructed as a public-private partnership (P3). Not only will
this road help to significantly reduce traffic congestion in Edmonton,
but it will also serve as a model of excellence for future P3
projects. (Infrastructure and Transportation)
- provided
$2.6 million in equipment grants to assist Alberta researchers
with setting up their first labs. The Small Equipment Grants
Program helps researchers set up their labs by investing
in key equipment purchases. The grants awarded under the 2005
competition are funding 18 different projects in areas as diverse
as improved agriculture products, better paediatric medicines,
and more efficient pipelines. (Innovation and Science)
- announced
$2.5 million to fund a new biotech "wet lab" at the
Edmonton Research Park. The Biotechnology Business Development
Centre (BBDC) will provide low-cost shared lab space to help growing
biotechnology companies develop their products. Other partners
in the facility are Western Economic Diversification Canada and
the City of Edmonton. Construction on the BBDC is slated to start
in spring 2006. (Innovation and Science)
- provided
$1.2 million in funding for a new satellite ground station, located
at the University of Lethbridge. The Alberta Terrestrial Imaging
Centre will be North America's primary receiving and distribution
centre for images taken through a special satellite technology,
known as SPOT. Images collected by SPOT satellites have a higher
resolution and can provide better information about changes taking
place on the land below, making it a useful decision-making tool
in areas as diverse as emergency response, energy pipeline monitoring,
pine beetle containment, and watershed research. (Innovation and
Science)
- announced
$15 million for 17 projects under the government's Innovation
Program. The projects focus on value-added agriculture, fire
prevention, sustainable resource planning, climate change, energy
production, and improved delivery of government services to Albertans.
(Innovation and Science)
- signed
an agreement to create the Alberta-Heilongjiang Harbin Institute
of Technology Research Innovation Centre, establishing a foundation
for new partnerships between researchers in Alberta and China.
While the Centre will be a physical facility in China, it will
be "virtual" to Alberta and involve researchers at the
University of Alberta and the University of Calgary, working with
Chinese researchers on projects in the areas of data technology,
knowledge research, and innovation development. (Innovation and
Science)
- named
leading scientists and entrepreneurs to the board of the new Alberta
Life Sciences Institute, to provide leadership for research and
technology commercialization in the areas of health, agriculture,
forestry, water, and the environment. (Innovation and Science)
- participated,
as part of the Canadian delegation, in the sixth World Trade
Organization Ministerial Conference, in Hong Kong. Negotiations
resulted in modest gains in reducing trade barriers and a commitment
to develop a framework by April 30, 2006 for agricultural trade
liberalization, an Alberta priority. (International and Intergovernmental
Relations, IIR)
- enhanced
Alberta's relationships with its sister-provinces Gangwon, Korea,
and Hokkaido, Japan. To mark Alberta's centennial, a six-member
Japanese government delegation, along with 26 representatives
from towns, schools, and other areas with Alberta ties, visited
Alberta. The governor of Gangwon presented Alberta with a pavilion
built on the grounds of the Royal Alberta Museum. (IIR)
- recognized
32 teams of public service employees from across government for
demonstrating outstanding business excellence and client service
practices, during the 11th annual Premier's Award of Excellence
Ceremony. (Personnel Administration Office, PAO)
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 third quarter,
the government:
- invested
an additional $500 million from this year's surplus in the Advanced
Education Endowment Fund, as part of the Alberta government's
commitment to saving today's non-renewable resource revenues for
future Albertans. The endowment fund will now have $750 million
in 2005/06, which will provide millions of additional dollars
in the years ahead to launch new and innovative post-secondary
initiatives. (Advanced Education)
- approved
operating funding of $46.8 million over four years for
the University of Calgary's new Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The new veterinary school will coordinate with other provincial
animal medicine programs in universities and colleges throughout
Alberta and Western Canada. The three-year program is expected
to graduate 30 veterinarians each year. (Advanced Education)
- committed
$47 million in capital funding from this year's surplus to Bow
Valley College for the first phase of a major redevelopment at
its downtown campus. The project will create hundreds of new spaces
in programs that prepare people for successful transitions into
the post-secondary system and the workforce. (Advanced Education)
- committed
more than $10 million through the Access Growth Fund
to create more than 1,000 additional post-secondary spaces in
the province this year. An additional $1.7 million from the province
will help boost access to distance and online learning opportunities.
(Advanced Education)
- funded
a new national scholarship program as a centennial gift to Canadians.
The Alberta Centennial Scholarships Program will provide
325 scholarships annually, worth $2,005 each, to post-secondary
students across Canada. Awards will be provided to 25 students
from each province and territory, including Alberta, beginning
in 2006. (Advanced Education)
- extended
the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan grant to
more Alberta students. A legislative amendment will mean any eight,
11 or 14 year old Alberta student will be eligible to receive
the matching $100 grants. Under previous legislation, only children
born in 2005 or beyond were eligible. (Advanced Education)
- held
the first World Conference for the Prevention of Family Violence
in Banff from October 23 to 26, 2005. More than 1,000 international
leaders, researchers, and policy and program experts from 30 countries
gathered to share best practices and learn about family violence
prevention and intervention, as well as support and follow-up
for victims. (Children's Services)
- hosted
Protecting Futures, Creating Hope, a symposium
on child and youth sexual exploitation. The symposium brought
together more than 200 stakeholders and service delivery partners
from across Alberta to share best practices, new information,
and research. Delegates discussed how to improve services to meet
the changing face of child sexual exploitation in Alberta and
how to end the sexual abuse of our youth. (Children's Services)
- developed
and distributed the first issue of a targeted, sector-specific
newsletter for Alberta's metal fabricators. The newsletter includes
information on programs and initiatives led by Alberta Economic
Development and other Alberta government departments, global steel
trends, a calendar of events, and spotlights on successful Alberta
companies. Initial feedback from readers has been extremely positive.
(Economic Development)
- delivered
the International Financial Institutions Bootcamp Workshop
in co-operation with Western Economic Diversification, Calgary
Economic Development, Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership,
Manitoba Trade and Investment, and other private-sector partners.
This five-day intensive workshop focused on how to sharpen participants'
proposal writing skills and how to pursue projects funded by International
Financial Institutions. (Economic Development)
- launched
a video series on LearnAlberta.ca, featuring Aboriginal community
leaders, to support the Aboriginal Studies program and infusion
of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives into the
Social Studies curriculum, along with new digital resources to
support pure and applied high school mathematics courses. (Education)
- celebrated
Waste Reduction Week from October 17 to 23, 2005. Public
awareness and outreach events were held across the province to
educate Albertans on waste reduction and recycling practices.
All Grade 4 classes in Alberta were invited to participate in
the Reduce Your "Waste" Line contest. (Environment)
- partnered
with Piikani Employment Services on a roughneck training program
for Piikani, Tsuu T'ina, and Siksika Nations members. Thirty members
completed 24 days of roughneck training at the Bear Drilling Training
facility near Red Deer. This is the first time the three First
Nations collaborated on a single training initiative. (HRE)
- celebrated
Science and Technology Week from October 7 to 16, 2005,
with events held across the province. The purpose of 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)
- provided
the final two in a series of SuperNet workshop sessions
(Fort MacLeod, Cold Lake). These workshops, in partnership with
local Regional Economic Development Alliances, offered Alberta
SuperNet learning opportunities for more than 350 community leaders
and business owners. (Restructuring and Government Efficiency)
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 third
quarter, the government:
PROMOTING
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
- supported representatives from each of three
current pilot site communities (Lethbridge and surrounding First
Nations, High Prairie and surrounding Métis Settlements,
and Eden Valley First Nation) to attend and present at a national
conference on suicide prevention. (AAND)
- launched the 2005 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
adult awareness campaign. This campaign informs all Albertans
that there is no cure for alcohol-related birth defects and brain
damage, and that there is no safe time to drink when planning
a pregnancy, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It also
encourages others to support the healthy choices of pregnant women.
(Children's Services)
- introduced a pilot Safety Passport
program to provide schools with a comprehensive toolkit and binder
to help teachers demonstrate to students how to keep classrooms
and worksites safe. (Education; HRE)
- launched It's in Your Hands, a public
awareness campaign aimed at increasing Albertans' confidence in
their ability to recognize, prevent, and treat influenza, and
to know when to access the health system. (Health and Wellness)
- announced $1.4 billion in funding for the construction
of new buildings, renovations, and expansion of existing care
facilities. This investment will lead to lowered wait times and
increased bed capacity across the province. (Health and Wellness;
Infrastructure and Transportation)
- committed $75 million in funding to expand
Alberta's mental health services. Thirty new projects will be
implemented, ranging from outreach programs to day treatment and
crisis intervention services. (Health and Wellness)
- established the Premier's Award for Healthy
Workplaces, celebrating Alberta employers who understand
the positive effects of health promotion programs and have invested
in their employees' well-being. (Health and Wellness)
- implemented changes to the Assured Income
for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program, including the
introduction of Personal Income Support Benefits to help clients
meet extra needs such as caring for a guide animal, special diets,
and emergency travel, and the increasing of AISH employment income
exemptions to allow clients to keep more of the money they earn
from working. (Seniors and Community Supports)
SUPPORTING
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
- agreed to transfer the administration and control
of not less than 5,140 acres of unoccupied provincial Crown lands,
including mines and minerals, to the federal government, to be
set apart as Indian reserve for the use and benefit of the Alexander
First Nation. (AAND)
- supported the Aboriginal Mentoring Pilot
Project by encouraging pilot site communities (Bent Arrow
Traditional Healing Society, Blood Reserve/Kainai, Métis
Nation Association - Region III, and the Paul Band First Nation)
to attend an information sharing and training day on the Blood
Tribe reserve. The pilot project is a provincial strategy designed
to increase the number of Aboriginal mentors in the province and
to learn more about how mentoring works in Aboriginal communities.
(AAND)
- transferred to the federal government the administration
and control of not less than 20,000 acres of unoccupied provincial
Crown lands, including mines and minerals, to be set apart as
Indian reserve for the use and benefit of the Fort McKay First
Nation. (AAND)
- launched Family Violence Prevention Month,
which takes place every November in Alberta. This year's theme,
It's Your Business, sent the message that family violence
has no boundaries - it affects all cultures, income levels, and
faith groups. Through this awareness campaign, all Albertans were
encouraged to take action to prevent family violence. (Children's
Services)
- extended the Natural Gas Rebate Program
to include October as a rebate month, providing further price
protection to Alberta natural gas consumers. (Energy)
- extended shelter money to more Albertans getting
assistance through Alberta Works. With the change, all Albertans
receiving income support qualify for a $100 shelter benefit if
they live with family. (HRE)
- partnered with the City of Edmonton and the
University of Alberta on the Families First Edmonton research
project, which aims to find the best way to deliver services to
families with low incomes. Each of the 1,200 participant families
will be linked to a combination of health, education, recreation,
and social services, and will test different models of service
delivery. The $10-million project will take five years to complete.
(HRE)
- proclaimed new legislation that puts children
first when family relationships break down or parents separate.
The Family Law Act gives clear guidelines on the rights
and responsibilities of family members, focuses on the best interests
of the child, and encourages mediation and dispute resolution
to settle family law disputes to avoid going to court. (Justice)
- introduced legislation to provide compensation
for a child who sustains prenatal injuries as a result of his/her
mother's negligent driving. (Justice)
- released the 2005-06 edition of the Seniors
Programs and Services Information Guide, the ministry's flagship
information source for 345,000 seniors throughout the province.
(Seniors and Community Supports)
BUILDING
STRONGER AND SAFER COMMUNITIES
- unveiled the Great Kids centennial
display in the Legislature pedway. Each year, the Government of
Alberta recognizes Alberta children and youth between the ages
of five and 18 who do great things for their families, schools,
and communities. This display highlights the generosity, compassion,
and spirit of the province's youth. (Children's Services)
- recognized 100 influential Albertans with the
one-time Alberta Centennial Salute for Sport and Recreation
Award for their commitment and contributions to the development
of sport and recreation in Alberta. (Community Development)
- delivered a series of regional labour information
seminars. The purpose of the seminars was to provide the Regional
Economic Development Alliances and individual communities with
necessary background information to develop an appropriate strategy
to address labour shortages. (Economic Development; HRE)
- initiated three projects designed to support
Aboriginal entrepreneurs, including a custom series of business
management workshops, videos featuring successful Aboriginal business
leaders, and training for Aboriginal business service providers
in the use of the business-planning tool Rocket Fuel for Your
Biz. (Economic Development)
- published The Heart of the Matter: Character
and Citizenship Education in Alberta Schools to support learning
about cultures that promote civility and ethical behaviour. (Education)
- launched a new 17-month Alberta Lottery
Fund (ALF) awareness strategy to continue increasing awareness
about the benefits of ALF in Alberta communities. (Gaming)
- hosted the Alberta Roundtable on Violence
in and around Licensed Premises. The two-day forum brought
together police services, municipalities, bar owners, and government
to look for ways to reduce violence in and around licensed premises.
(Gaming; Solicitor General and Public Security)
- issued more than 350 Community Facility
Enhancement Program and Community Initiatives Program grants
through the Alberta Lottery Fund. These grants support various
projects throughout the province, including funding for an expansion
of the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre ($956,000), program
development for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada ($75,000),
and computer purchases and technology upgrades for the Northern
Alberta Crippled Children's Foundation ($4,446). (Gaming)
- announced the Alberta Consumer Champion
Awards to recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations
that demonstrate their commitment to promoting fairness in the
Alberta marketplace. (Government Services)
- entered into a pilot partnership with British
Columbia Vital Statistics Agency, Canada Revenue Agency, Passport
Canada, Statistics Canada, and Public Works Canada to exchange
relevant vital event information in real time. This project aims
to ensure the security, accuracy, and consistency of personal
information across multiple provincial and federal databases and
to ensure that secure identity documents are issued only to authorized
individuals. (Government Services)
- issued consumer alerts to Alberta consumers
and businesses about new scams involving counterfeit cheques and
money orders that arrive unsolicited or in response to advertisements
and how to safely shop on the Internet during the Christmas season.
(Government Services)
- hosted the Moving Forward with Work Safe
Alberta forum to review progress on the province-wide strategy
to reduce the provincial lost-time claim rate. More than 180 people
participated. (HRE)
- opened a six-kilometre section of Edmonton's
southwest ring road between Lessard Road and Terwillegar Drive.
The new road is another major step toward completion of the vital
southwest leg of Edmonton's ring road. The Alberta government's
total investment in the southwest ring road is approximately $245
million. (Infrastructure and Transportation)
- announced the installation of a new barrier
system on northern sections of the Deerfoot Trail to prevent vehicles
from crossing the road's median into oncoming traffic. The new
barrier system is intended to prevent fatalities and serious injuries
associated with head-on collisions at highway speeds. (Infrastructure
and Transportation)
- proclaimed a new law requiring drivers to slow
down when passing emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and construction
workers. The new law, which doubles the fines for speeding in
these instances, will make roads safer for police officers, firefighters,
ambulance workers, tow truck operators, and construction workers,
as well as motorists. (Infrastructure and Transportation)
- published a new handbook for police and Crown
prosecutors to help them investigate and prosecute family violence
cases. The 160-page Domestic Violence Handbook for Police
and Crown Prosecutors provides information on investigative
procedures, prosecutions, victims and abusers, risk factors, and
safety planning. Guidelines for developing a domestic violence
protocol for police services in Alberta were distributed for use
with the handbook. All police and Crown prosecutors in Alberta
received a copy of the handbook. (Justice; Solicitor General and
Public Security)
- implemented a $1.3 million disaster recovery
program to assist the municipalities and residents of the City
of Lloydminster, County of Vermilion River (including all other
municipalities within the borders of the county), and the Town
of Wainwright with the cost of uninsurable overland flood damage
caused by heavy rainfall that occurred from August 23 to 25, 2005.
(Municipal Affairs)
- approved 77 grants totaling $5.65 million under
the 2005 Municipal Sponsorship Program. The program promotes
excellence, cooperation, and innovation in local government. (Municipal
Affairs)
- implemented a $450,000 disaster recovery program
to assist the City of Wetaskiwin and its residents with the cost
of uninsurable overland flood damage caused by severe rainstorms
on August 25 and 30, 2005. (Municipal Affairs)
- supported the establishment of the Métis
Fire Chiefs Association. The association is committed to promoting
fire prevention and education activities to reduce the risk of
fire and injury in Métis communities. (Municipal Affairs)
- celebrated the Alberta Public Service's centennial
by undertaking two initiatives to recognize the significant role
provincial government employees have played in helping build a
strong province - the creation of a commemorative photo book showing
images of the public service at work over the last century and
the commissioning of an original piece of art, currently displayed
in the Legislature Rotunda, reflecting the commitment and achievements
of past and present public service employees. (PAO)
- committed $140 million in funding to support
the development or upgrading of approximately 4,200 supportive
living, affordable housing, and seniors housing units in Alberta.
(Seniors and Community Supports)
- announced a pilot project to monitor low-risk
offenders through the use of electronic bracelets. The pilot project
in Edmonton involved 40 offenders serving weekend sentences. The
project started at the end of September and will run for one year.
(Solicitor General and Public Security)
- agreed in principle with the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police (RCMP), the Government of Alberta, and the Government
of Canada, to a Community Tripartite Policing Agreement
for the community of Hobbema, which boosted the community's RCMP
detachment to 32 officers. The additional officers will allow
the RCMP to work with community leaders to proactively target
the root causes of gang-related crime. (Solicitor General and
Public Security)
- awarded approximately $200,000 in project
funding to seven communities in forested areas of the province
to help protect people and property from the potential impacts
of wildfire. (SRD; Municipal Affairs)
- developed new criteria for Forest Management
Agreement renewals that recognize industry involvement in
activities that contribute to the sustainability of Alberta's
forests, forest industry, and forest communities. (SRD)
PROTECTING
ALBERTA'S NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE:
- authored and published two documents to assist
government officials and others working with First Nations, Métis
Settlements, and Aboriginal communities: A Guide to Aboriginal
Organizations in Alberta and Profiles: Métis Settlements
and First Nations. (AAND)
- showcased Alberta's agricultural entrepreneurs
during Small Business Week, from October 17 to 23, 2005.
Many agricultural entrepreneurs make a significant contribution
to our province's economy and get their start through programs
and services offered through Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural
Development. (AFRD)
- allocated $15 million to the Edmonton Art Gallery
as part of the province's centennial investment to support the
facility's growing role in highlighting art, culture, and creativity
in the province. (Community Development)
- partnered with the Suncor Energy Foundation
and the Alberta Conservation Association to establish the Boreal
Habitat Conservation Initiative. The initiative will help
protect northern forests by acquiring ecologically significant
parcels of boreal habitat for public conservation. (Community
Development)
- completed the Forecasting Centre Hotsite, a
back-up site for use in flood forecasting emergencies. The hotsite
is a mirror image of the facility previously used by flow forecasters.
It allows forecasting operations to continue while renovations
are made to the original site and will also provide necessary
back-up services. The flood forecasting centre provides important
information to dam operators, municipalities, and others for responding
to flooding events. (Environment)
- provided $70 million to Edmonton Northlands
and Calgary Exhibition & Stampede from this year's provincial
surplus as part of the province's investment in centennial projects.
These one-time capital grants will be used for facility upgrades.
(Gaming)
- granted $1 million from the Alberta Lottery
Fund to the Calgary Military Museums Society to assist with
the expansion of the Museum of the Regiments building. (Gaming)
- renamed Highway 36 the Veterans Memorial Highway.
This highway is a lasting tribute to the men and women who have
fought to defend this province, our country, and our freedom,
and who continue to risk their lives in peacekeeping activities
around the world. (Infrastructure and Transportation)
- launched the Trees of Renown program
to protect trees of historic, environmental or general significance
located on Alberta's public land. (SRD)
- took aggressive action to control chronic wasting
disease through a quota hunt, a targeted deer cull, and extensive
public communications. (SRD)
- implemented new standards for provincial zoos
to improve animal care and the public safety of visitors. (SRD)
- expanded the Caribou Cowboy Program
in west-central Alberta as part of Alberta's management efforts
to conserve woodland caribou. Aimed at reducing vehicle collisions
with caribou traveling on Highway 40, the program includes public
outreach and education and promotes the development of industry
partnerships to help support the initiative. (SRD)
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