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| Our government continues to lay the groundwork for future growth with our clear plan for economic recovery - The Way Forward. Our plan set the stage for Budget 2010, which strikes the right balance of meeting today's needs while supporting our vision for lasting prosperity. This vision centres on a strong, competitive Alberta, with the most advanced infrastructure in Canada and the best publicly funded health care. |
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Surgeries Increased, Wait Times Reduced
Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Alberta Health and Wellness announced a six-week plan through March 31 to immediately increase the number of surgeries in high-priority areas. Surgeries will be further increased during April, May and June as more surgical capacity becomes available, including more operating-room time and increased availability of surgeons and surgical teams.
At least 2,230 more surgeries and non-surgical procedures with long wait lists have been approved for the initial surge through March 31, including cancer surgery, orthopedic surgery (including hip and knee replacements), neurosurgery, heart surgery and cataract surgery. As well, 3,500 more MRI and CT scans will be added immediately.
Increases in non-surgical services (such as endoscopies) are also underway. More surgeries and non-surgical services will be performed at several hospitals throughout Alberta, including: Foothills Medical Centre, University of Alberta Hospital, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, Peter Lougheed Centre, Rockyview General Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Northern Lights Health Centre, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, and the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Grande Prairie.
The number of surgeries performed will continue to increase steadily, and AHS is compiling wait time and wait list information that will be publicly reported annually. The impact on wait times and wait lists will be evaluated as part of the longer-term plan. AHS will also provide the year-over-year increase in total surgeries at that time.
The Alberta government has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. An important part of The Way Forward is maintaining support for programs and services Albertans need most, such as health care.
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Municipal investment reaches across the province
In Budget 2010, Alberta municipalities (outside of Calgary and Edmonton) will receive $460 million in Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding - a $247 million increase over last year.
Since the program was announced by Premier Ed Stelmach in 2007, Alberta municipalities have seen more than 1,500 key projects approved. To view this year's funding by community, visit the Alberta Municipal Affairs' website.
With this year's funding, municipalities are continuing to receive considerably more than they did before the MSI program was introduced in 2007. Even with the difficult economic times, the Alberta government increased MSI funding this year in Budget 2010. While the annual funding is lower than what had been originally forecast, Alberta remains 100 per cent committed to the full $11.3 billion investment to municipalities over time.
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Highway construction rolls out across northern Alberta
To meet the needs of a growing economy and population, our government continues to invest in highways throughout northern Alberta.
Major highway projects in northern Alberta include:
- Drayton Valley - bridge replacement;
- Fort McMurray - continuing Athabasca River Bridge construction;
- Fort McMurray - continuing Thickwood Blvd. and Confederation Way interchange construction;
- Grande Prairie - continuing Highway 43X bypass from Highway 43 to 116 Street;
- Garden River Road (future Highway 58) near Fort Vermilion;
- Highway 43 twinning from Wembley to east of Beaverlodge;
- Highway 58 widening west of Highway Level; and
- Highway 63 to Fort McMurray - twinning north of Wandering River.
In 2010, the Alberta government will invest $1.9 billion in the provincial highway network. Visit www.transportation.alberta.ca/614.htm to view Alberta's three-year highway construction program.
The Government of Alberta has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. The Way Forward will bring Alberta back into a surplus position in three years by trimming government spending; using cash reserves to protect key programs; continuing to invest in public infrastructure; and ensuring that our province's industries are competitive and continue to attract investment to provide jobs and prosperity.
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Province reduces regulatory costs for cattle producers
To help reduce regulatory burden on producers, the Alberta government is reviewing the existing regulatory process to identify barriers in order to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness for our agricultural industry.
As a first step in this review, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development will provide a grant of $25,000 to Livestock Identification Services to cover the cost of livestock inspection for Alberta beef producers who graze their cattle in Saskatchewan or British Columbia. This initiative will reduce trade barriers between provinces, lower production costs, and ease the regulatory burden for producers.
The grant will cover inspection costs of cattle that temporarily move into Saskatchewan or British Columbia for the 2010 grazing season which starts in April. Traditionally, about 25,000 head of cattle move between the provinces for seasonal grazing.
The Alberta government is working to be one of the most competitive jurisdictions in the world and has a clear plan for strong economic recovery. An important part of The Way Forward is making sure Alberta's industries remain globally competitive.
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Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission Report - Follow Up for Constituents in Grande Prairie Wapiti
Alberta's Electoral Boundaries Commission has released its interim report recommending the areas, boundaries and names of 87 electoral divisions for Alberta, four more than at present.
The proposed changes greatly affect the existing boundaries for the Grande Prairie Wapiti constituency.
From the Report:
Grande Prairie:
The two existing electoral divisions are reconfigured into a new Grande Prairie division entirely within the city (except north of 116 Avenue) and a new Beaverlodge-Valleyview electoral division including the northern area of the city and the remainder of the two existing divisions. The creation of a pure urban division was proposed by the City of Grande Prairie and mirrors the division alignments in St. Albert and Medicine Hat. The Commission looks forward to the comments of the people affected by this interim proposal.
Future Trends:
If the population growth pattern of the past two decades continues in the future, by far the most significant issue for future Electoral Boundaries Commissions will be the effect of the concentration of population in the Calgary/Edmonton corridor and in the Grande Prairie and Wood Buffalo areas on the distribution of electoral divisions in the rest of the province.
*** The commission is seeking public input on the interim report:
A second series of public hearings will be held, to be scheduled as required during the period April 12 to 30, 2010. To provide your feedback please contact:
Electoral Boundaries Commission
100, 11510 Kingsway Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5G 2Y5
Phone: 780.638.3132
Outside of the Edmonton calling area 310.0000.780.638.3132
Fax: 780.422.2900
Outside of the Edmonton calling area 310.0000.780.422-2900
E-mail:info@altaebc.ab.ca
The commission will receive comments on this report and will issue its final report in July.
To view the entire report and related maps, http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/Reports.html.
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