This Week
Legislation: 2 pieces of government legislation were introduced this week. The proposed bills include:
- Bill 7 – Engineering and Geoscience Professions Amendment Act, 2023
- Bill 8 – Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2023
Refocusing health care: The week the Government of Alberta announced significant changes to the way health care is delivered to Albertans. The new system will be organized into four organizations operating under a single health care system. The four organizations are:
- Primary Care Organization
- Acute Care Organization
- Continuing Care Organization
- Mental Health and Addiction Organization
Alberta Health Services (AHS) will focus on acute care and continuing care, while other AHS functions will transition to be accountable to the new organizations. Under the new structure, Covenant Health will transition from being contracted through AHS to having direct relationships with the new organizations. Throughout November and into the new year, engagement sessions with front-line workers, AHS staff, health care unions, health associations and a wide range of health partners will take place. More information on public engagements will also be provided in the coming months. Click here for more details on the reorganization.
New AHS board: Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange has appointed a new board for Alberta Health Services (AHS) to support the transition of AHS into a more targeted health care organization. The new board includes Dr. Lyle Oberg, Sandy Edmonstone, Paul George Haggis, Andre Tremblay, Evan Romanow, and Cynthia Farmer.
$6 million in new grants: Alberta’s government is investing $6 million in the new Small Community Opportunity Program. The program helps Indigenous and small communities build capacity for entrepreneurship and mentorship, skills development, small business supports and/or partnerships, interconnectivity, and collaboration. Grants range between $20,000 and $100,000 and applications are open today. The funding is part of the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan released in December 2022.
Minister Schow travelling to Europe: Minister of Tourism and Sport Joseph Schow is travelling to Europethis week to promote Alberta to international partners. The trip aims to improve air access options and highlight Alberta’s world-class tourism experience.
What’s Next
Legislature: The legislature has risen for break week. It will resume on Monday, November 20.
MLA Hunter and MLA Yao in Los Angeles: MLAs Grant Hunter and Tany Yao will attend the Council of State Governments West from Nov. 12-15 to discuss trade and investment, energy security, hydrogen development, two-way trade between Alberta and the western U.S., and agriculture.
Announcements
- Increasing food security for Albertans
- Alberta proposes software engineer title expansion
- Local elections, councillor accountability: Have your say
- Promoting Alberta’s tourism industry in Europe
- Refocusing on patient-centred care
- New AHS board to refocus on acute care delivery
- Commissioner calls out federal failures: Minister Schulz
- Streamlined trials will improve access to justice
- Orders in Council
- Strengthening rural Alberta
- Updating legislation to keep it current
- Mandatory Holocaust education for Alberta students
- Building up a strong economy in Fort Macleod
- Alberta joins leaders at western governments meeting
Key Resources