 |
As we gear up for another Alberta summer, Cabinet Ministers have been hard at work, travelling to all corners of our province in order to hear your concerns and answer your questions first hand. Moving forward, this government will continue its work in promoting Alberta industry in the global marketplace while maintaining the programs and services that Albertans value most, like health care, education and supports for the vulnerable. |
|
Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C. launch New West Partnership
Recently, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan launched the New West Partnership, creating an economic powerhouse of nine million people with a combined GDP of more than $550 billion.
The New West Partnership is an ambitious agreement that will create Canada's largest interprovincial barrier-free trade and investment market and see the three westernmost provinces work together in unprecedented ways to the benefit of workers, businesses and investors.
The three provinces signed the New West Partnership at the third joint British Columbia-Alberta-Saskatchewan Cabinet meeting in Regina. Building on shared strengths, the New West Partnership contains four components:
- a comprehensive economic agreement, which will remove remaining barriers to trade, investment and labour mobility, further enhancing the competitiveness of Canada's Western Provinces;
- an international co-operation agreement that will see the three provinces co-operate on trade and investment missions to international markets, and share foreign market intelligence to advance joint interests and increase business competitiveness;
- an innovation agreement, which will enable provincial innovation efforts to be co-ordinated to better attract investment and talent, helping build critical mass of innovation activities in the West; and
- a procurement agreement that will enable the provinces to capitalize on their combined buying power through the joint procurement of goods and services.
The first major undertaking of the New West Partnership was a joint mission to China and Japan in May. Together, the three provinces promoted trade and commerce opportunities with Canada's newest free trade region and drew attention to the New West's global leadership in clean technology, natural resources, agri-food and agriculture.
The Premiers also highlighted Western Canada's many geographic and infrastructure advantages, including the region's multi-modal Pacific Gateway and Corridor transportation system, and their unwavering support for open skies and open trade with the Asia Pacific region.
In addition, the Premiers opened a new Shanghai-based trade and investment office, which will serve to promote the West and bolster economic ties with one of the strongest and most dynamic economic regions in Greater China.
The Western Canada Trade and Investment Office will represent the three provinces in a number of priority sectors, including education, tourism and investment attraction. Shanghai was selected as it is China's trade and financial hub, is the world's second busiest port, and has a population of more than 20-million people.
The New West Partnership Agreement can be viewed at www.gov.sk.ca/nwp. |
|
Alberta's investment in First Nations' businesses boosts economic participation
With more than 109 partnerships, an Alberta-First Nations program is garnering national attention for its innovative work to further Aboriginal relationships, strengthen economic capacity and stimulate entrepreneurialism.
The Government of Alberta's First Nations Economic Partnerships Initiative provided $8 million last year for Aboriginal partnerships.
Since the program's inception in 2005, it has supported 109 partnerships with First Nations, tribal organizations, industry and others. Last year alone, Alberta Employment and Immigration's Aboriginal Development Branch, working with Aboriginal Capital Corporations through the initiative, managed 190 projects supporting Aboriginal entrepreneurs.
Success stories like the Wesley First Nations partnership with Kelman Technologies Inc. illustrates how the program is helping First Nations establish industry partnerships to develop a community's economy in the oil and gas sector, in this case working with a seismic data company to identify lands available for oil and gas exploration within traditional use areas.
Additional success stories are highlighted in the 2008-09 Aboriginal Economic Partnerships Annual Results Report available at www.aboriginal.alberta.ca. The website also includes a detailed list of program grants, an online tool kit of Aboriginal economic development resources and a new 12-minute video showing how partnerships are increasing Aboriginal economic development.
The First Nations Economic Partnerships Initiative was developed with input from First Nations and industry leaders in Alberta. The program is delivered by Aboriginal Relations and Employment and Immigration. In the 2008-09 fiscal year, Aboriginal Relations provided $4.77 million and Employment and Immigration contributed $3.4 million towards increasing Aboriginal participation in the economy. |
|
Consultation begins on Alberta Health Act
Consultation on new Alberta health legislation is underway and Albertans are urged to provide their ideas on recommendations for the forthcoming Alberta Health Act.
Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Health and Wellness, appointed Fred Horne, MLA for Edmonton-Rutherford, to lead the consultation process on behalf of government. He will submit a final report to the Minister this fall.
An advisory committee has been formed to assist MLA Horne over the next five months. The committee will identify policy issues that government needs to address, provide advice on the new legislation, and assist with the development of the report.
Albertans are invited to visit www.yourhealthact.alberta.ca throughout the spring and summer for updated information on the consultation process and to provide input. MLA Horne and the advisory committee will also consult directly with health-care providers and other key stakeholders. In June, the 12 local Health Advisory Councils will host a series of community-based consultations across Alberta to seek input about the forthcoming health legislation.
MLA Horne will present a report to Minister Zwozdesky by Sept. 30, 2010, that reflects what was heard from Albertans, as well as a detailed plan on how to move forward.
In its report last January, the Minister's Advisory Committee on Health recommended that a new law, the Alberta Health Act, be built around core principles. The committee also recommended a patient charter, the affirmation of Canada Health Act principles, consolidation of core legislation, stronger support for evidence-based decision making and ongoing citizen engagement. The Minister accepted all four recommendations on behalf of the government in January. |
|
Province adds 60 homes for the homeless in Grande Prairie
Homeless people in Grande Prairie will soon be helped by greater access to housing. The Alberta government is providing $5.4 million to the Cairn on the Boulevard development to create 60 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom rental units in a project that will also include commercial space for organizations delivering supports and services needed to break the cycle of homelessness.
Alberta's 10-year plan adopts a Housing First approach, in which permanent, safe housing is provided along with the supports and services needed to address the underlying causes of homelessness. This model increases the likelihood that the individual will reach independence and is a practical and cost-effective way to coordinate and maximize resources.
Mel Knight, MLA for Grande Prairie-Smoky and Minister of Sustainable Resource Development, remarked, "Homelessness continues to be a challenge for many Alberta communities including Grande Prairie. The addition of 60 new units will go a long way to easing the burden of our most disadvantaged citizens. We want every Albertan to have decent, safe housing and with it, the opportunity to participate in the province's growth and prosperity."
Alberta marked the first anniversary of its 10-year plan to end homelessness on March 16. Since adopting the plan 13 months ago, the province has met or exceeded many of its first-year benchmark goals. Shelter use is down in all major cities; more than 900 homes for the homeless are in the works; and more than 1,300 formerly homeless people have been permanently housed and are receiving the supports needed to make a successful transition into the community.
During the past year, government committed $100 million through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to develop housing specifically for homeless individuals and families. A target of adding 700 units in communities across the province was exceeded due to reduced construction costs, with 942 units being supported. An additional $32 million was provided to community-based agencies to help deliver services such as treatment for health and addiction issues, life-skills training, and employment assistance. The City of Grande Prairie is contributing $400,886 to Cairn on the Boulevard.
Budget 2010 provides for a second $100 million RFP to develop housing for the homeless and increased funding for supports and services to $42 million. For more information on A Plan for Alberta: Ending Homelessness in 10 Years, visit www.housing.alberta.ca. |
|
If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact me at:
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
MyClients Inc. in no way tolerates or endorses the distribution of unsolicited email. If you have experienced difficulties in unsubscribing from this mailing list or would like to report an unsolicited email please click here. |
|
© Copyright - All Rights Reserved |
 |
|
|
