Political

Economic Political 

Province charts course to full restoration of grants-in-place-of-taxes system

Posted on: Staff Writer

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…

Business Economic Political 

Provincial budget covers access improvements for three remote Indigenous communities

Posted on: Staff Writer

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…

Health & Wellbeing Political 

‘Dead children and youth are not red tape’: Bill changes death investigation requirements

Posted on: Staff Writer

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…

Political 

Alberta creates ‘automatic yes toolkit’ to cut permits and introduce time-limits

Posted on: Staff Writer

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…

Political 

MLA faces criticism over availability, openness

Posted on: Staff Writer

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…

Political 

Rural transit ideas floated behind the scenes, UCP says

Posted on: Staff Writer

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…

Political 

Small-town Alberta needs you, future municipal professionals

Posted on: Staff Writer

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…