Political

Environmental Political 

What are Alberta’s ‘contractual’ obligations to coal companies?

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Government of Alberta says it has an obligation to some coal companies to allow open-pit mining despite the practice being banned under the province’s new coal policy, but these “contractual relationships” aren’t quite formal contracts. When Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean announced details of the province’s coal industry “modernization” initiative on Dec. … Read more…

Political 

Alberta increases rural surveillance capacity to fight crime

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta’s government has invested $4.3 million toward two specialized surveillance teams to support fighting crime in rural Alberta, which are now fully operational. “Two new surveillance teams are filling a gap by helping rural RCMP detachments with local investigations to combat local crime,” said Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services, in … Read more…

Health & Wellbeing Political 

Better days lie ahead for rural health care, minister says

Posted on: Staff Writer

GEORGE LEE MACLEOD GAZETTE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE Health-care understaffing, limited access to services and reduced emergency department hours — they’re features of rural life that Albertans should not be forced to endure, the health minister acknowledged Oct. 7. But Adriana LaGrange said her government is on the case through health-care delivery restructuring and a strategic document called Rural Health Care Action Plan … Read more…

Fort Macleod Political 

Alberta’s remodeled Victim Services Unit extends rural reach, minister maintains

Posted on: Staff Writer

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A shift to regionalization extends victim services access to “every Albertan in every corner of the province,” says Mike Ellis, the minister of public safety and emergency services. Before the change, 14 areas of Alberta went unserved, Ellis wrote in an opinion piece his ministry distributed to media. “That means if you were a … Read more…

Education Local News Political 

Mental health pilot extended until next June in Alberta schools

Posted on: Staff Writer

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Extra funding announced today recognizes the complexity and regional diversity of mental health needs in Alberta’s schools, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said. The top-up of the Mental Health in Schools Pilot adds $6.7 million to a round of funding set to end in December. Affected are programs in 59 rural and urban school authorities. … Read more…

Health & Wellbeing Political 

Alberta’s general surgery is at a tipping point, with lives on the line: AMA

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter According to a July 8 Alberta Medical Association news conference, Alberta’s general surgeons are facing increasing human resources shortages, which are limiting their ability to provide urgent, life-saving care to patients. This news conference marked the start of the AMA’s general surgery information campaign, seeking to inform the public of the issues faced in … Read more…

Health & Wellbeing Political 

Albertans believe health care is in crisis, survey says

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A survey of Canadians’ health care concerns reveals nearly three-quarters of Canadians think health care in their province is in a state of crisis, and the majority think governments aren’t doing enough to fix workforce shortages. The poll was commissioned by the Canadian Health Coalition ahead of the annual meeting of the 13 provincial … Read more…