The Weekly Roundup-September 26, 2022
Today Energy Minister Sonya Savage will lead a roundtable event in Washington D.C. bringing key U.S. state officials, industry associations and companies from the U.S. and Canada together to advance energy security alongside the global transition to net zero.
Government operations are back in full swing following the period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, and the flurry of press releases, government announcements and new surveys and panels are likely to continue this week as a final push from the Kenney government.
Below, you’ll find a recap of the UCP leadership race, government announcements made and Orders in Council passed since our last edition.
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UCP Leadership Race Tracker
We’ll be using this section to apprise you of any major platform announcements, endorsements or other items of note related to leadership contestants. You can click through to their websites using the hyperlinks below.
Leadership contestants continued to pound the pavement across the province and participated in a bearpit session at the Alberta Municipalities convention and trade show in Calgary and at the Canada Strong and Free Network (CSFN) Regional Conference in Red Deer.
Leela Aheer: No updates to report.
Brian Jean: Jean took aim at Smith’s track record crossing the floor that in his words played a large role in electing the NDP in 2015. He also was lost somewhere deep in the multiverse with a video featuring a cheap imitation of Thor.
Todd Loewen: No updates to report.
Rajan Sawhney: No updates to report.
Danielle Smith: Smith released additional details of her proposed $300 health spending account for all Albertans with a variety of eligible health expenses ranging from physio and chiropractor treatments to speech therapy and fitness classes. She also received endorsements from MLAs Angela Pitt, who previously chaired Rajan Sawhney’s campaign, and Mike Ellis.
Rebecca Schulz: No updates to report.
Travis Toews: Toews made the pitch to be ranked number one on people’s ballots, calling the race too close to call and telling Don Braid he is gaining on Smith.
Government of Alberta Announcements
Three advisory panels are being established as part of Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System to identify primary health care improvements in the short term and over the next five to 10 years.
A new Affordable Housing Asset Management Framework will use clear, transparent criteria to determine how housing assets can best meet the needs of low-income Albertans.
Alberta’s government is investing $15 million over three years to expand apprenticeship education at post-secondary institutions across the province.
According to new data released from the government, Alberta has experienced a significant decline in opioid-related deaths. In July, opioid-related deaths decreased 47 per cent from the peak in late 2021.
Advanced Education will invest $8 million over the next two years to fund new micro-credential programs.
Alberta is partially reinstating the provincial fuel tax to 4.5 cents per litre effective October 1 following a complete pause on the tax that started April 1.
A new online survey is open until October 21 for Albertans to share the impact racism has had on the province and on future government actions to address racism.
From September 23 to October 1 Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity Dale Nally will be in Japan for meetings with Japanese stakeholders active in Alberta’s natural gas sector.
The Alberta government celebrated De Havilland announcing that the company will build a state-of-the-art aircraft assembly facility, parts manufacturing and distribution centre, training centre and aircraft museum east of Calgary, creating up to 1,500 jobs.
The Alberta is Calling advertising campaign has launched its second phase in Toronto and Vancouver.
Eligible operators can apply for a one-time grant through the Continuing Care Capital Program to replace, upgrade or renovate existing aged continuing care homes.The program was allocated up to $204 million in Budget 2022.
With help from a $100,000 government grant, the YWCA is facilitating Indigenous-led retreats at Camp Yowochas for healing experiences based on Indigenous cultural practices and activities.
A letter was sent to the Minister of Natural Resources Canada from Alberta’s Energy Minister Sonya Savage and Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity Dale Nally about streamlining project approvals, describing concerns over access to markets for Alberta’s natural gas and challenges projects are facing in the federal regulatory review process.
A public survey is open until October 7 for Albertans to provide input on the development of a single code of professional conduct for teachers and teacher leaders regardless of where they are employed.
The Alberta Broadband Fund will expand access to financial support of $36 million for rural broadband to ensure that no community is left behind. An additional funding announcement was held as part of Alberta’s Broadband Strategy,
Orders in Council
OC 316/2022: Effective January 1, 2023, appoints Julia Sproule as the Alberta Teaching Profession Commissioner for a term to expire on December 31, 2027, the first commissioner since the position was created.
OC 317/2022: Endorses and recognizes the definition of antisemitism developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance which can be found following the hyperlink. Alberta joins three Canadian provinces and 35 countries around the world by recognizing this definition.
Upcoming Events Calendar
October 6, 2022: New UCP Leader announced at BMO Centre (Calgary). Tickets are available for $10.
October 21-23, 2022: UCP AGM at River Cree Resort
October 31, 2022: Alberta Legislature Session resumes