By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The elimination of some permits and a countdown clock for others will entrench Alberta as a North American leader in red tape reduction, the UCP announced today. Dale Nally, the minister of Service Alberta and red tape reduction, said two categories in the “automatic yes toolkit” will remove the need for time-consuming approvals. Permits … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic provided no further comment last Friday as constituents against coal mining within the riding criticized her job performance. Two residents of the riding said they aren’t alone in their frustration over what they call Petrovic’s lack of availability and meaningful communication. Speaking in the aftermath of her cancellation of a … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Improved transit could be on its way to rural Alberta, a UCP cabinet minister teased in a recent interview on passenger rail transportation. “I would just say, stay tuned,” Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen told The Macleod Gazette. “I don’t want to show my cards yet, but we’re actually working on some really interesting policy ideas on … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Post-secondary graduates curious about careers with Alberta municipalities may want to add this task to their Family Day long weekend: apply for a public service internship along a road less travelled. Deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 18, at noon to apply for positions under the Municipal Internship Program in 16 municipalities, the province announced earlier … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The UCP lacks the transparency and oversight to assure Albertans its efforts to reduce red tape aren’t dangerous, an NDP shadow cabinet minister said. Gurinder Brar, the red tape reduction critic, said a new permitting approach dubbed the automatic yes toolkit could compromise public safety and the environment while continuing to undermine community trust … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Does your heart sing when you think of a future Alberta crisscrossed with passenger trains joining mountains to airports to suburbs to city centres to regional outposts? Perhaps you’re more of a train’s-on-time, get-to-work-by-nine kind of person. Or you think the subject has no wheels at all. Regardless, the government wants you to help … Read more…
By Mickey Dumont Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Bluebay Behavioural Consulting’s application to change zoning from empty to assisted living to establish a troubled youth program was approved during a Feb. 14, public meeting of the Municipal Planning Commission of the Town of Claresholm.A packed Town of Claresholm council chamber heard from those for and against the youth assisted living project … Read more…