By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A government serving corporate friends over everyday Albertans is putting pregnant women and their babies at unacceptable risk — especially those in rural and remote areas — an NDP shadow minister has charged. Rural hospital closures and doctor shortages are forcing pregnant women to travel hours for care and overwhelming health services in major … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The government is throwing fuel on the firefighting in Alberta communities this year to bolster public safety. More support for training and response is being combined with enhanced collaboration to “help keep Albertans and their communities safe,” said Tany Yao, the UCP member for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo. The government is providing $585,000 to support … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta is financially sound enough to fully restore municipal grants based on the value of local taxation on eligible provincial properties, the government said today. The budget tabled last month paves the way for putting $17 million more into the hands of municipalities in 2025 through the grants-in-place-of-taxes system. Another $20 million is projected … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Paving the only access route to a trio of remote Alberta Indigenous communities found a home in the province’s first deficit budget since 2021. Capital spending in the budget tabled Thursday includes work on Highway 58, serving John D’Or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River. “The paved highway will improve mobility for more than … Read more…
By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A new bill aimed at cutting red tape will relax the requirement that Alberta’s Office of the Child and Youth Advocate investigate deaths of all youth who received government intervention services. On Feb. 26, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally tabled Bill 38, the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, in the … Read more…
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…