Alberta Government: Deficit drops, economic recovery on track

Government of Alberta - Alberta’s 2018-19 deficit is projected to fall by $1 billion as the economy continues to recover.  Increased exports, wholesale trade, manufacturing and earnings all point to an ongoing and broad-based economic recovery.

Recall: Compliments brand Chili Powder

Canadian Food Inspection Agency, September 6, 2018 - La Cie McCormick Canada is recalling Compliments brand Chili Powder from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Distribution: National. Click here for more information.

Alberta Voice

RSS Feed Widget

Statement from Alberta Trade Minister about U.S. tariffs

Government of Alberta -  Alberta Economic Development and Trade Minister Deron Bilous issued the following statement supporting Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs:  “We applaud the federal government’s retaliatory tariffs in response to the U.S. administration’s illegal protectionist actions. When the federal government announced their intention to implement retaliatory tariffs, I met with Alberta industry and business leaders to hear their concerns and suggestions.  I subsequently wrote Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne relaying this feedback and I appreciate that they listened and today responded with countermeasures and new supports that reflect this input."

Health Canada announces regulations to support the Cannabis Act

Cannabis Sativa -Thayne Tuason photo (Wikimedia Commons)

Regulations provide Canadians and stakeholders with details on how cannabis legalization and regulation will be implemented starting October 17, 2018

Health Canada - Protecting the health and safety of Canadians is a top priority for the Government of Canada. That’s why the Government of Canada introduced the Cannabis Act—a new legal framework that puts in place a comprehensive public health approach to cannabis. On June 21, 2018, the Cannabis Act received Royal Assent, an important step toward legalizing and strictly regulating cannabis in Canada.

Save time at the border this Canada Day

The Coutts border crossing, which experiences the highest traffic volumes in southern Alberta.

Canada Border Services Agency - Sunday is Canada Day, and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) border crossings in southern Alberta are expected to be busy this weekend. Last Canada Day weekend, CBSA officers in southern Alberta processed more than 17,000 travellers in 8,000 vehicles. Following are five tips to make entry to Canada as smooth as possible for returning Canadians and visitors travelling north to join the celebrations:

Free legal advice for survivors of sexual violence

Minister McLean, MLA Heather Sweet, Toni Sinclair, executive director, Elizabeth Fry Society and Elizabeth Halprin, survivor of sexual violence, announced a new pilot program to support survivors of sexual violence.

• A new pilot program will help sexual violence survivors know their rights and options as they seek healing and justice.

Government of Alberta - Status of Women is providing a $700,000 grant to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton to design, deliver and evaluate a three-year pilot program that will give sexual violence survivors free, confidential legal advice. Launching in November 2018, the program will be open to adult survivors of all genders who have experienced sexual violence in Alberta, regardless of how much time has passed since the incident.

Celebrating Pride at the Alberta Legislature

Members of the Alberta legislature rally around the Pride flag in celebration of Pride Month

Government of Alberta - Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism, issued the following statement about raising the Pride flag on the legislature grounds:

“I am honoured to raise the Pride flag to celebrate and reflect on Pride Month. For the month of June, the Pride flag will fly as a symbol to the world that our government proudly stands with LGBTQ2S+ Albertans and will keep fighting for and protecting their rights and freedoms.

Syphilis and gonorrhea on the rise in AHS South Zone

Alberta Health Services - Alberta Health Services (AHS) is concerned about an apparent spike in syphilis and gonorrhea in the South Zone, prompting a reminder of the importance of safe sex practices among all sexually-active age groups, including seniors. Between January and March of 2018, 11 cases of gonorrhea were documented in the South Zone; which is two more than were reported in all of 2017.  It is not unusual for individuals who have a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) to have more than one STI at the same time.  HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia are all examples of STIs.

Redesigned, more secure driver’s licences unveiled

Government of Alberta - New driver’s licences and identification cards will help protect Albertans against counterfeiting and ID theft and save government more than $1 million annually.

UCP congratulates Ontario Progressive Conservatives

United Conservative Party of Alberta - Jason Kenney, leader of Alberta’s United Conservatives, has released the following statement on the results of today’s provincial election in Ontario:

New gas station and convenience store rules come into effect June 1

Minister Gray and Brian Simpson, deputy chief, Edmonton Police Service, remind Albertans of the safety benefits of fuel prepayment.

• New rules are intended to keep Alberta convenience and gas station workers safe by preventing gas-and-dash incidents

Government of Alberta - On June 1, new Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) rules will take effect and make fuel prepayment mandatory at all gas stations in the province.  Over the past four years, Alberta has seen a number of convenience store robberies and gas-and-dash incidents result in the deaths of five workers and serious injuries to three workers across Alberta.

New OHS laws in effect June 1

Minister Gray, Geoffrey Person, CHPR, Peter Dugandzic, CHPR, Minister McLean, Thea Bowring, Empress Ale House, Barry Cavanaugh, ASET and Tara Chahl, ASET.

Government of Alberta - On June 1, Alberta’s updated OHS laws will include clear definitions of harassment, including sexual and domestic violence, and increased protections from violence and harassment – a historic step towards safer workplaces throughout the province.

Alberta and AMA agree on two-year funding agreement

Government of Alberta - The province has reached a two-year funding agreement with the Alberta Medical Association that benefits patient care and saves $95 million in health-care costs.  As with recent agreements with nurses and other health professionals, physicians have agreed to no fee increases for two years, which will help protect the overall stability of health-care services in the province.

ACWS welcomes the inclusion of domestic violence in new Bill which comes in to effect June 1

• New OH&S legislation supports safer workplaces and points to better supports for survivors of domestic violence

Alberta Council of Women's Shelters - The Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS) welcomes Bill 30 which comes into effect on the 1st of June, 2018, as the Act to Protect the Health and Wellbeing of Working Albertans. The Act, upgrading the Occupational Health & Safety Act, now specifically identifies domestic violence as a workplace hazard which all employers need to account for.

New centralized phone line to report abuse

Government of Alberta - Albertans can now report abuse and receive support, information and referrals through a new centralized phone line.

If people suspect someone is being abused or neglected, they can get help by calling the Alberta Supports abuse line at 1-855-4HELPAB (443-5722).

Opioid response commission term extended

Government of Alberta - The province is building on the life-saving work of the Minister’s Opioid Emergency Response Commission by extending its term for another 18 months.  In the past year since the commission was created, the province has opened thousands of new treatment spaces, established supervised consumption services and supported opioid awareness programs.

Sexual Violence Awareness Month

Sagesse - May has been officially proclaimed as Sexual Violence Prevention Month by the Government of Alberta. The Commitment to Preventing and Addressing Sexual Violence helps to remove the stigma attached with sexual violence and supports building momentum for addressing this issue. Sagesse is committed to being a part of collective efforts across Alberta that address sexual and domestic violence and working towards making Alberta safer for everyone.

Alberta apologizes to Sixties Scoop survivors

Grand entry into the legislature before Alberta's historic Sixties Scoop apology.

Government of Alberta - As part of Alberta’s commitment to reconciliation, Alberta officially apologized for past practices that led to the removal of Indigenous children from their families, resulting in a loss of culture, identity and connection to their communities. The impacts are still felt by survivors and their families today.

Alberta government: Trans Mountain Pipeline keeps Canada working

An example of a billboard supporting Trans Mountain Pipeline in Kelowna, B.C

Government of Alberta - Billboards are now on display across British Columbia as the Government of Alberta launches a nationwide campaign to highlight the economic, social and environmental benefits of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.