This Week
Improving access to healthcare: As one of the government’s top priorities, Minister LaGrange announced the adoption of several recommendations from the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) report. These recommendations include creating a primary health care division within Alberta Health, increasing funding for family doctors and nurse practitioners, and introducing a payment system to support nurse practitioners opening their own clinics. In addition, a new Indigenous health division will be created within Alberta Health, and $20 million will be allocated for primary care in Indigenous communities. More details about the recommendations in the MAPS report, including long-term improvements to primary care, can be found here.
Assisting businesses to lower emissions: Small and medium-sized businesses will be able to access funding to help fund scale-up, pilot, and first-of-kid emissions-reduction projects. The program, titled the Emerging Innovators Challenge, is funded by TIER and will offer up to $5 million per project, with a minimum request of $250,000. Projects can originate anywhere in the world but need to be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta. Applications for the funding are due by Dec 14.
40 new shelter spaces for women: To address increasing numbers of women experiencing homelessness in the province, the government is investing almost $1 million to create 40 spaces to ensure vulnerable women have a safe place to stay. The beds, located at the Mustard Seed, will be made available immediately and bring the total number of shelter spaces dedicated to women in Calgary to 78.
Bridging programs for nurses: The government is investing $11 million in nurse bridging programs for internationally educated nurses. Through this funding, 1,221 additional spaces will be available for internationally educated nurses to complete the programs they need to become licensed to practice in Alberta. The spaces are shared between 10 colleges across Alberta. The University of Lethbridge will also be receiving $3 million to modernize its facilities.
$1.2 million to upgrade Medicine Hat campus: Alberta’s government is investing $1.2 million in upgrading the Medicine Hat College campus. Medicine Hat College serves 2,600 students in Alberta offering education opportunities close to home. The government has provided a total of $3.3 million to the college in Budget 2023 for facility improvements, and facility improvements.
What’s Next
Legislative calendar: MLAs will return to the Legislature on October 30 for the Speech from the Throne.
UCP AGM: The United Conservative Party will be holding their next AGM on November 3-4 in Calgary.
Announcements
- Bidding farewell to recovery panel chair: Minister Williams
- Investing in Medicine Hat College
- More year-round shelter spaces for women
- Investing in nursing skills training
- More affordable housing in Fort Saskatchewan
- New funding to help businesses reduce energy costs
- Helping students break down gender barriers
- Strengthening health care: Improving access for all
- Growing opportunity for Medicine Hat
- Alberta’s best receive province’s highest honour
- Final phase of Calgary Ring Road construction
- Drought relief support for livestock producers
Key Resources