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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Assembly Lines: mental health people and treatments, wildland firefighter pay, benefits and hiring, and the effects of red tape reduction By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Albertans dealing with mental health issues are the personification of courage, the member for Taber-Warner told the legislative assembly May 13. To drive his message home, the UCP’s Grant Hunter held up the struggles … Read more…