Calgary

More tax relief on the way for Jasper

More tax relief on the way for Jasper

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring Jasper residents and businesses are supported as the community recovers from last summer’s wildfire. Since the beginning of the wildfire, more than $178 million has been provided from across the provincial government to support Jasper residents and businesses as the community recovers and rebuilds. Budget 2025, if passed, further supports the province’s commitment to the recovery of the Municipality of Jasper by providing more than $3 million in additional revenue stabilization funding to help compensate for lower municipal revenues, reducing the burden on municipal taxpayers.  “As people visit and move back…
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Alberta’s border security plan advancing rapidly to stop illegal activity at US border

Alberta’s border security plan advancing rapidly to stop illegal activity at US border

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s border security plan is advancing rapidly with more measures in place to stop illegal activity at the Alberta-U.S. border. In December 2024, Alberta’s government announced a $29-million investment to create an Interdiction Patrol Team (IPT) within the Alberta Sheriffs to crack down on illegal cross-border activities threatening lives and livelihoods on both sides of the Alberta-Montana border. Alberta’s government recognizes the need for swift and decisive action that will curb drug trafficking and illegal border crossings to strengthen the province’s border security. The team’s first cohort has been deployed and hiring will continue until all 51…
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Premier Danielle Smith issues statement following implementation of US tariffs

Premier Danielle Smith issues statement following implementation of US tariffs

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Days after US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Canada, Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement following the implementation of U.S. tariffs. “The tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are an unjustifiable economic attack on Canadians and Albertans. They also represent a clear breach of the trade agreement signed by this same U.S. President during his first term. These tariffs will hurt the American people, driving up costs for fuel, food, vehicles, housing, and many other products. They will also cost hundreds of thousands of American and Canadian jobs. This policy is both foolish and…
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AHS third-party investigation: DM McPherson

AHS third-party investigation: DM McPherson

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Deputy Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Christopher McPherson has issued the following statement on an independent third-party investigation into procurement and contracting processes used by the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services (AHS). “While serving as Acting Deputy Minister of Executive Council, Premier Danielle Smith asked me to establish a credible, independent, third-party investigation into the procurement processes used by the Government of Alberta and AHS and their outcomes. “I have informed Premier Smith that the Honourable Raymond E. Wyant, former Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba, will lead this investigation. I asked…
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Alberta Govt investing in cardiac care for central Albertans

Alberta Govt investing in cardiac care for central Albertans

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is partnering with the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation to expedite the delivery of life-saving cardiac services to central Alberta residents. Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring that Albertans have access to the health care they need, including life-saving cardiac care and lab services, no matter where they live. For those in central Alberta, the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre plays a critical role in providing that care, which is why the $1.8-billion Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre redevelopment project includes two state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs. While the project is expected to be completed by…
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Alberta News: Company acquitted in workplace fatality

Alberta News: Company acquitted in workplace fatality

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): A reforestation company has been acquitted of occupational health and safety (OHS) charges related to a workplace fatality. On Feb. 21, Blue Collar Silviculture Ltd. was found not guilty on eight counts under OHS legislation following a trial in the Peace River Court of Justice. The charges stem from an incident in Mackenzie County that occurred on July 2, 2020. A tree planter was struck and fatally injured by a falling tree. The Crown has up to 30 days to appeal the acquittal. Alberta’s OHS laws set basic health and safety rules for workplaces across the province.…
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Minister Nate Glubish Issues Statement on Alberta Francophonie Month

Minister Nate Glubish Issues Statement on Alberta Francophonie Month

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir and Minister of Technology and Innovation and Francophone Community Liaison Nate Glubish issued a statement on Alberta Francophonie Month. “This month, we recognize the vital contributions of French-speaking Albertans to our communities, culture and economy. Raising the Franco-Albertan flag is a proud tribute to our shared heritage and bright future. “French is the second-most spoken language in Alberta, with over 260,000 speakers who either speak it as their mother tongue or use it at home. Their role in enriching our culture, fostering economic development and strengthening diversity,…
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Alberta News: RTR Bill Improves Housing, Trades and Charities

Alberta News: RTR Bill Improves Housing, Trades and Charities

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government has tabled its ninth Red Tape Reduction bill to reduce regulatory burdens for Albertans and businesses further. Since 2019, Alberta’s government has eliminated more than 209,000 regulatory requirements and implemented hundreds of red tape reduction initiatives. These efforts have generated cumulative savings of more than $2.9 billion for Albertans. Proposed amendments are designed to maintain that momentum. The Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 introduces more key changes to streamline processes and improve services across multiple sectors. If passed, proposed changes will allow for electronic communication in the exchange of documents between landlords and tenants, improve…
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Alberta’s Minister of Education Announces Updates to Exemptions for In-Person Learning

Alberta’s Minister of Education Announces Updates to Exemptions for In-Person Learning

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s Minister of Education, Demetrios Nicolaides, has announced updates to ministerial orders regarding exemptions to in-person learning options, emphasizing the government’s commitment to maintaining high educational standards despite ongoing strikes. Nicolaides reaffirmed that Alberta Education places trust in school boards to determine the best educational programming for their students. He noted that school divisions are expected to have plans in place to ensure continuity of learning during labour disruptions. To protect the safety and well-being of students and staff during recent strikes, the Edmonton Public School Division, Fort McMurray Roman Catholic Board of Education, Fort McMurray School…
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Canada launches Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots

Canada launches Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Rural and Francophone minority communities make vital contributions to Canada’s economy and culture, but they frequently face unique labour market and demographic challenges as the majority of Canadians and newcomers settle in Canada’s urban centres. In particular, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) was successful in connecting businesses and employers in remote communities with the skilled newcomers they need to thrive.That is why the Government of Canada is introducing two new pilots—as committed to in March 2024—to help rural and Francophone minority communities attract and retain newcomers with the right skills to help their regions succeed…
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