This Week
COP28 summit comes to a close: Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz released a joint statement after attending the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai. The statement highlighted Alberta’s success at COP28 in pushing back against the federal Liberal government’s proposal to accelerate the phaseout of sustainable and affordable energy. It also called on Prime Minister Trudeau to replace Minister Guilbeault and align with Alberta’s environment plan.
Making Alberta streets safer: Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis announced an investment of $8.3 million in the Edmonton Police Services (EPS) to help them recruit, train and deploy 50 new officers. Similarly, an initial investment of $4.16 million will be made in the Calgary Police Services (CPS) to help them with their ongoing recruitment of 50 new officers. High-crime and vital areas such as the downtown core and transit centres will see an increase in police presence.
Enhancing the effectiveness of responsible reclamation work in Alberta: The Government of Alberta is launching two reclamation pilot projects that will test ways to certify portions of reclaimed sites and help reclaim peatlands. The pilot allows the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) to certify portions of a well site rather than waiting until the entire site is reclaimed. The optional pilot will be limited to 100 applications and will require landowner consent. It will be launched in February 2024 and will run until August 2025.
Predictable funding for municipalities: Alberta’s government has finalized the allocation formula that determines how much individual local governments receive annually. Under the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF), municipalities and Metis Settlements will receive $722 million in capital funding in 2024-25. The new program replaces the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) as the main source of funding for roads, public transit, water and wastewater, and recreation infrastructure.
Input for refocusing Alberta’s health care system: Health care workers and Albertans are invited to join in-person engagement sessions to provide input on refocusing Alberta’s health care system. Beginning in January, thirty sessions will be hosted across the province. Albertans can provide input on where these sessions should be held before December 19.
What’s Next
Legislature: The 2024 session calendar will be released in January. In the meantime, MLAs will attend Committee Meetings until December 19.
Announcements
- Strengthening health care in Beaverlodge
- Safer streets for Edmonton
- Shape the future of your health care
- Taking action to reduce syphilis in Alberta
- Safer streets in Calgary
- Conclusion of COP28: Joint statement
- Expanding access to Trikafta
- Improving responsible reclamation work in Alberta
- Albertans’ priorities for new social studies curriculum
- Saving drivers and law enforcement time
- Increasing supports for vulnerable Albertans
- Progress in Alberta on the fight against racism
- Predictable funding for municipalities
Key Resources