 |
|
|
|
|
Highlights
|
Building Stronger Communities Community life strengthened in Budget 2000 Edmonton, February 24, 2000 - Increased funding for lower-income seniors, children, and community initiatives is the focus of the community-supports highlights of Budget 2000. "Thanks to a solid fiscal picture, the government is able to direct new funding in Budget 2000 to several programs that help make Alberta’s communities stronger and provide additional assistance to Albertans who need a bit of help," said Premier Ralph Klein. A Focus on Seniors In Budget 2000, an additional $21 million has been added to the province’s income-support programs for lower-income seniors compared to Budget ‘99 – the Alberta Seniors Benefit Program and the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors Program. This increase, which will bring spending on the two programs to $162 million, will mean an increase of 10 per cent in the monthly cash benefits paid to Alberta Seniors Benefit clients, and almost a doubling of the Special Needs Assistance budget from Budget ‘99 to approximately $16 million. "These increases help us meet the needs of our seniors clients at a time when many of them are facing rising costs," said Community Development Minister Stan Woloshyn. "Our two programs help seniors’ live as safely and independently as possible, and also offer support in times of financial hardship." Children a Top Priority in Budget 2000 In the area of children’s services, total spending increases by $37 million in Budget 2000. This includes $32 million more for Alberta Children’s Services, bringing its budget to approximately $537 million. These additional dollars will be used for a variety of purposes, including increasing child and family service authority budgets by six per cent and adding $3 million to the budget for early intervention programs. |
"Over the next year, I will be working with other ministers to respond to the final report of the Children’s Forum, and Albertans can expect a comprehensive, action-oriented response," said Children’s Services Minister Iris Evans. "In the meantime, the direction the department is taking in Budget 2000 will enhance the priority given to helping children at risk and preventing problems from occurring in the first place." The Children’s Services budget includes $2.7 million for continued protection of children involved in prostitution, and $1 million to address fetal alcohol syndrome. Additional funding of $5 million will be provided for the Child Health Benefit Program, raising the 2000–01 budget to $14.7 million. Operated by Human Resources and Employment, this program provides 100 per cent coverage for dental and optical, prescription drugs, emergency ambulance services and essential diabetic supplies for children of lower-income families. Increased Funding for Justice The budget for Alberta Justice increases by $44 million to $457 million in Budget 2000. "These additional dollars will help us improve areas of our justice system that are important to Albertans," said Justice Minister Dave Hancock. "We plan to enhance our mediation programs, do more to help victims of crime, and step-up our crime prevention efforts and Aboriginal policing so that Albertans across the province feel safe in their communities." Helping People in Their Communities Budget 2000 includes other new spending to help communities and the people who live in them. Funding of $27 million will be provided for the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program, raising the 2000–01 budget to $296 million. "This increase reflects our commitment to a program that is one of the most generous in the country and now focuses on the abilities of the almost 26,000 AISH clients," said Human Resources and Employment Minister Clint Dunford. As well, spending to provide shelter for Alberta’s homeless will total $13 million this year. This includes $3 million in new money toward a public-private partnership to address homelessness, and an increase of $500,000 for operating emergency shelters for the homeless, bringing the emergency shelter budget to $10 million. In 2000-01, lottery revenues will continue to flow into the Alberta Lottery Fund, which will increase by $68 million over Budget ’99 to $838 million. Lottery Fund dollars are dedicated to supporting charitable, non-profit and community-based projects and programs throughout Alberta. The budget includes a five per cent increase, to $53.3 million, in the Community Lottery Board Grant program, which puts lottery dollars back into communities through decisions made by 88 local boards. Alberta’s five lottery-funded community foundations will receive a total of approximately $50 million in lottery funding. Alberta Lottery Fund dollars for problem-gambling programs run by the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission will be increased to $3.6 million, a six per cent jump. "Albertans want to see lottery dollars at work in their communities," said Gaming Minister Murray Smith. "In Budget 2000, more of those dollars are going back to community groups than ever before." New Environment Funds to Address Target Projects Recognizing the importance of a clean environment to strong communities, Budget 2000 provides for $14.4 million in additional funding for key environmental initiatives. This includes: $5 million for an upgraded fire-fighting communications system; $1.6 million to address emerging issues such as well-site flaring; and $4.8 million for better enforcement and protection of species at risk. Another $13 million is redirected to priorities such as staff training, parks operation and infrastructure, and higher equipment operating costs. "Albertans consider a clean, healthy province as crucial to their quality of life," said Environment Minister Gary Mar. "In Budget 2000, concrete steps are taken to improve our work in protecting and sustaining Alberta’s environment." -30-
For further information, please contact:
Copyright © 2001 Government of Alberta. |
