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News Release

June 5, 2003

Future Summit input is a part of government business

Edmonton...  It has been one year since the Alberta Future Summit's 2002 Report to Government, Imagine our Tomorrow, was released, and many of the ideas Albertans proposed have been incorporated into government's plans and priorities.

"Many of the Summit strategies support directions government is already taking or has already incorporated into business plans," said Greg Melchin, Minister of Revenue and Co-Chair of the Future Summit. "Others reflect new directions. As an example, government recently established a sustainability fund to protect core programs from the ups and downs of resource revenues. Another example is the Learning Commission, which has almost completed its review of the K-12 education system."

More than 4,000 Albertans took part in the public consultation phase that ran from September to December 2001. Over 2,300 workbooks were submitted in hard copy and through the Future Summit's web site. A total of 805 Albertans attended the 11 Regional Forums held in nine locations across the province. And, more than 1,000 Albertans provided their input by attending the 60-plus meetings held by over 40 MLAs around the province.

Over 250 Albertans attended the Future Summit in Red Deer, held on February 4-5, 2002. Delegates used input from the consultation phase to build strategic directions, which were presented in a Report to Government in May 2002. All government departments reviewed the Report to Government as they developed 2003-06 business plans.

"Government departments will continue to use Summit findings as priorities are adjusted in the future," said Melchin.

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Backgrounder:

Building a Better Tomorrow:
An Update on the Alberta Future Summit 2002

Turning Ideas into Action

The Alberta Future Summit 2002 was a province-wide public consultation that gave Albertans a voice in planning the province's future. Delegates to the Red Deer Future Summit, and Albertans who participated in the public consultation phase, saw their work and ideas presented in a Report to Government in May 2002.

This response does not address each specific idea brought forward through the Summit, but key priorities under each of the Summit's major themes are addressed. As well, several government priorities address many of the key strategies Albertans identified, including:

  • Establishing a sustainability fund to manage volatile revenues and protect core programs.
  • Making major infrastructure investments in hospitals, schools and roads.
  • Promoting healthy living choices and encouraging personal responsibility for health care to sustain the health system and improve quality of life.
  • Ensuring children are safe, healthy and ready to learn through the Alberta Children and Youth Initiative and through "Alberta's Promise".
  • Working to improve socio-economic opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and communities.
  • Enhancing the province's economic development strategy and ensuring Alberta's fiscal framework remains strong.

Government's commitment to plan and prepare for the future continues. All ministries will continue to use the Summit findings as they make decisions and adjust priorities in the future.

The Economy

At the Future Summit, Albertans said… 
Ensure the economy is robust, stable, resilient and diversified. Government should: create comprehensive long-term economic plans; foster a market-based, globally competitive economy; support excellence in education; meet diverse regional and demographic needs; and sustain a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation.

The government is…

  • Ensuring Alberta's economy is strong and continues to grow. A new Economic Development Strategy will encourage diversification, and government's commitment to competitive corporate and personal taxes will continue.
  • Supporting innovation and growth in research and development through programs like the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research and the Alberta Research Council.
  • Balancing the need for economic growth with sustainable development and environmental protection through initiatives like the Climate Change and Emissions Management Act and the new Water Strategy.
  • Eliminating trade barriers with the United States and developing international markets.
  • Making strategic infrastructure investments in health care facilities, schools, and roads, through the new $5.5 billion, three-year Capital Plan.

Learning

At the Future Summit, Albertans said… 
Education programs should be accessible, affordable, and high quality. Government should ensure: diverse learning needs are identified and met, curriculum is adaptable and innovative; educational opportunities are accessible for all ages and regions; innovative governance and delivery models are fostered; and investments are made in infrastructure and technology.

The government is…

  • Studying the K-12 education system through the Alberta Learning Commission.
  • Reviewing the tuition fee policy to ensure it meets the needs of students and institutions.
  • Ensuring online access to learning resources and increasing opportunities for rural, low-income, and other individuals.
  • Developing screening and support programs to help children at risk realize their potential through programs like the Early Childhood Development Initiative and the Alberta Children and Youth Initiative.
  • Ensuring all communities and regions have access to high speed internet through the Alberta Supernet and by electronically linking public libraries.
  • Building new schools and upgrading others through the Capital Plan.
  • Working with stakeholders to identify and meet changing needs in the learning system and foster innovation.

Fiscal Responsibility

At the Future Summit, Albertans said… 
We believe in solid fiscal management that balances expectations with reality. Government should: make the fiscal environment more predictable, control expenditures; explore new ways to manage revenue volatility; base business plans on outcomes; clarify government roles and make it more efficient, inclusive, accountable, and transparent; and foster education, innovation and openness to new ideas.

The government is…

  • Setting up a $2.5 billion sustainability fund to protect core programs and services by managing the ups and downs of resource revenues.
  • Balancing the budget and paying down the debt. The province has reduced its debt by nearly 80 per cent since 1993.
  • Reviewing the Heritage Fund's mandate to ensure it is an important part of the future.
  • Strengthening the business planning process by measuring results against goals linked to an overall strategic plan.
  • Developing a Revenue Management Framework to ensure revenue streams are sustainable, fair to taxpayers, promote economic growth and help maintain Alberta's competitiveness.
  • Supporting initiatives to diversify the economy and encourage innovation and growth in many sectors, including telecommunications, agri-food, clean coal, alternative energy development, the life sciences and the arts.

Communities

At the Future Summit, Albertans said…
Our communities should be safe, caring and founded on well-planned infrastructure. Citizens should be empowered to make positive contributions. Government should: make communities accountable for sustainable, strategic, long-term development and budget plans and ensure stable, long-range funding is available; help disadvantaged and vulnerable Albertans maximize their potential and support initiatives that enhance quality of life.

The government is…

  • Promoting regional partnerships to encourage neighbouring municipalities to work together to deliver programs and services at lower costs.
  • Providing support and medical benefits to Albertans when they need it, and helping them retain, and where possible regain, their independence. Improving seniors' programs and services to provide continuing independence to Albertans as they age.
  • Amending the Child Welfare Act to focus on "Kids First" and legislating "Alberta's Promise", which will encourage collaborative partnerships to build a better future for the province's children.
  • Improving services for persons with developmental disabilities, and reviewing the Alberta Disability Strategy and the Blind Persons Rights Act.
  • Supporting projects related to the arts, historical resources, libraries, sport, recreation, multiculturalism, transportation and the environment through the Alberta Lottery Fund.

Health and Wellness

At the Future Summit, Albertans said…
Our province needs a first class health system that promotes and supports healthy living and provides accessible, affordable, quality services when needed. Government should: encourage healthy living and support innovative approaches to health care; ensure the system is well managed financially; address medical staff shortages and reduce poverty.

The government is…

  • Promoting healthy living choices to ensure the health care system is affordable and accessible, now and in the future. · Developing regulations for naturopaths, acupuncturists and chiropractors.
  • Improving efficiency by reducing the number of Regional Health Authorities and integrating mental health services.
  • Addressing staff shortages for many occupational areas, including doctors, nurses and technicians.
  • Fostering innovation in health care delivery and treatment, from supporting cutting-edge medical research to providing province-wide 24-hour toll-free access to health information through the Health Link program.
  • Building new health facilities, including the new Children's Hospital in Calgary. Centres of Excellence for cardiac, bone and joint care will be completed and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton will be redeveloped.
  • Providing income support programs for Albertans in need.

The Environment

At the Future Summit, Albertans said…
We want a clean, healthy natural environment where economic development and environmental protection are carefully balanced. Government should: develop a long-term environmental plan; ensure ongoing and reliable funding for research; provide incentives for good environmental behaviour and punish bad performers; educate Albertans about good environmental practices; promote innovative resource management practices; and set standards, evaluate performance and establish monitoring procedures.

The government is…

  • Establishing partnerships with local, provincial, national and international stakeholders and governments to develop a sustainable development framework.
  • Pursuing the Climate Change and Emissions Management Act, which will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Developing a new Water Strategy to ensure Alberta maintains a sustainable supply of clean, safe water.
  • Enforcing some of the highest environmental standards in North America - in Alberta, polluters pay.
  • Educating Albertans on environmental priorities and helping individual citizens take action.
  • Promoting and supporting research for energy alternatives and reduction of energy-related emissions
  • Ensuring the provincial parks and protected areas system preserves areas that represent our natural heritage.

Governance

At the Future Summit, Albertans said…
We want an innovative, effective, efficient, socially aware government that is accountable, responsible and responsive to its citizens. Government should: ensure Albertans are fairly represented in government; examine and clarify government responsibilities and accountability; use strategic planning to meet demands of an increasingly turbulent global environment; and develop an ongoing, interactive communications plan.

The government is… 

  • Continuing to clarify and define its roles and responsibilities through business plans, quarterly financial updates, annual reports, responding to the Auditor General and the Ethics Commissioner, and conducting public consultations.
  • Giving Albertans opportunities to ask questions and get answers on government programs, including a system that gives all Albertans toll-free access to MLAs and government offices.
  • Making government services and information more accessible through programs like Service Alberta, and providing online access to government information and services.

About the Future Summit

The Future Summit was co-chaired by Honourable Greg Melchin, Minister of Revenue, and Mr. Doug Mitchell, Chair of the Alberta Economic Development Authority. They were assisted by a Steering Committee that included the Honourable Patricia Nelson, Minister of Finance, Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Community Development, and Honourable Mark Norris, Minister of Economic Development.

Participation

Over 4,000 Albertans participated in the Future Summit process by sharing their thoughts, insights, and hopes for the future. During the consultation process leading up to the Future Summit in Red Deer, over 2,300 workbooks were submitted in hard copy and through the Summit's web site. A total of 805 Albertans attended the 11 Regional Forums held in nine locations across the province. And, more than 1,000 Albertans provided their input by attending the 60-plus meetings held by over 40 MLAs around the province. Over 250 Albertans attended the Future Summit in Red Deer, held on February 4-5, 2002.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Cathy Housdorff
Director of Communications 
Alberta Revenue
(780) 427-5364