This Week
Alberta office in Ottawa: Premier Danielle Smith was in Ottawa earlier this week to officially open a new office aimed at raising Alberta’s priorities on the national stage. The office is led by James Carpenter whose primary role will be telling the Alberta story to politicians and national media in Ottawa. In connection with the office opening, the Premier delivered a speech to the Economic Club of Canada. The speech can be found here.
Premier Smith in Washington, D.C.: In addition the Alberta government’s trip to Ottawa and Toronto, Premier Smith travelled to Washington, D.C. Her trip included meetings with Senator Joe Manchin, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator Chris Coons, Senator Kevin Cramer, Representative Michael Waltz, and Canada’s Ambassador Kirsten Hillman. The Premier used the opportunity to promote Alberta energy. This was Premier Smith’s first trip to Washington, D.C. since becoming Premier.
Funding primary care providers: Family doctors will soon receive payments to help manage an increasing number of patients. The government has topped up the amount of money family practitioners receive by $12 million in 2023-24. The money is expected to be used to fund staff and technology to reduce the time, cost and effort spent on administrative tasks. The funding is part of the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) initiative.
MLA Rowswell and MLA Wright in Oregon: As part of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) capital tours, MLA Garth Rowswell and MLA Justin Wright travelled to Oregon to voice key Alberta interests and boost bilateral cooperation with government and industry representatives in the United States.
Drought Advisory Committee: Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz this week announced a new drought advisory committee. Several areas of the province are at risk of a severe drought this year. The committee will operate for one year. More information and a list of committee members can be found here.
What’s Next
Legislature: The Legislature will return on February 28. The legislative calendar for 2024 can be found here.
Budget 2024: Alberta will release its next provincial budget on February 29.
Announcements
- Building momentum in the Pacific Northwest
- Encampment removal yields significant improvements
- Alberta opens new office in Ottawa
- Alberta to champion energy interests in the U.S.
- New drought advisory committee for Alberta
- Bring out the s’mores
- It’s not just any loppet, it’s the World Cup
- Helping primary care providers support patients
- Job growth kicks off 2024: Minister Jones
- Hitting frontside 540s at Calgary’s Snow Rodeo
Key Resources