Key takeaways from the 2024 Alberta Energy Outlook

By Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Alberta Energy Regulator has released its 2024 Alberta Energy Outlook report with interesting highlights about what the future of energy production in Alberta may look like. This report, released June 24, details data from 2023 and projects expectations for Alberta’s energy sector in the coming years. “With expected pipeline capacity improvements and reasonably … Read more

Legal Aid Alberta services extended, negotiations resume

By: Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative ReporterSource: St. Albert Gazette A disruption of legal services for disadvataged Albertans has been narrowly avoided, as Legal Aid Alberta’s recently expired contract with the province has been extended and negotiations between the parties are set to resume. In a joint statement released on July 5, Alberta’s Minister of Justice, Legal Aid Alberta, and … Read more

Tweaks still possible to controversial legislation affecting Alberta municipalities, minister says

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The door remains open for Aberta municipalities to influence the province as it implements controversial legislation affecting local governance and elections, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver said. Further consultation will help shape the content of regulations stemming from the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 or even result in “perhaps one or more small changes,” McIver … Read more

Assembly Lines: UCP says trade careers are in the making, NDP says economy nothing to brag about, and legislature welcomes Indigenous filmmaker

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter TRADES TRAJECTORY TOUTED Increasing numbers of successful careers in the trades start now with the Alberta government’s investment in apprenticeships, the UCP member for Chestermere-Strathmore told the legislature May 14. The government is “firing on all cylinders to create opportunities in the trades and help students succeed in the economy of tomorrow,” said Chantelle … Read more

Assembly Lines: rural education students supported, water deals cheered, ports-and-trains labour discussed, better Indigenous consultation sought

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter GOVERNMENT TARGETS EDUCATION STUDENTS WITH $1.7 MILLION IN PROGRAM SUPPORT Provincial funding will allow an intake of education students to maintain their rural bonds while taking bachelor’s degree classes, the legislative assembly heard May 15. Martin Long, the UCP member for West Yellowhead, said funding worth $1.7 million means more students in rural, remote … Read more

NDP renews calls to revoke Kananaskis Conservation Pass

By: Jessica Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The NDP is again calling upon Alberta’s government to revoke the Kananaskis Conservation Pass. Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi is criticizing the UCP for what she describes as a lack of transparency around the allocation of pass revenue and the high costs associated with accessing Alberta’s parks and natural areas. She argues that removing … Read more

NDP leadership debate shows new visions for future of the party

By Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter As the internal Alberta NDP leadership vote approaches, the party is hosting a series of official debates throughout the province to introduce the leadership seekers. The second official debate, hosted in Calgary on May 11, welcomed candidates Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, Kathleen Ganley, Sarah Hoffman, Naheed Nenshi and Gil McGowan in a format that had … Read more