Category: Politics

  • Panel Releases Summary of Medical Assistance in Death Consultation

    Panel Releases Summary of Medical Assistance in Death Consultation

    The government is releasing What we heard: Medical Assistance in Dying, a summary of public consultation findings that includes more than 15,000 responses to an online survey. “Thousands of Albertans responded to this difficult topic with the compassion and the pragmatism this province is known for. I want to thank each person who took the…

  • Governments Move Forward on Economic Recovery in Wood Buffalo

    Governments Move Forward on Economic Recovery in Wood Buffalo

    The Government of Alberta, in partnership with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), is moving forward on initial steps to support small and medium-sized businesses in their re-entry with a small business support centre. Government has also confirmed its intention to prefer local companies in recovery contracts. “Businesses in Fort McMurray were already struggling…

  • The Cost of the Carbon Tax

    The Cost of the Carbon Tax

    By Todd Loewen Albertans know the number one rule for any government during a time of economic turmoil is to do no further harm. Generations of Albertans have seen recessions come and go. They know and understand that the government can’t control the price of oil. In times like these, they want to see their government…

  • NDP Carbon Tax Bill Will Makes Life Harder for Families at a Time They Can Least Afford it

    NDP Carbon Tax Bill Will Makes Life Harder for Families at a Time They Can Least Afford it

    EDMONTON, AB: The NDP government’s new carbon tax bill will just make things worse for families and businesses with increased costs at a time they can least afford it, the Wildrose Official Opposition said today. With Alberta’s economy contracting by over 4 per cent during the past year, Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said this new…

  • Climate Leadership Plan to reduce carbon pollution moves Alberta forward

    Climate Leadership Plan to reduce carbon pollution moves Alberta forward

    Environment Minister Shannon Phillips introduced Bill 20, the Climate Leadership Implementation Act on Tuesday. This proposed law implements key elements of Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan. It will create jobs by investing in a higher-value, lower-carbon, energy-efficient economy. It will help Alberta do its part by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, and improving the energy efficiency…

  • Chief Electoral Officer Releases 2015/16 By-elections Report

    Chief Electoral Officer Releases 2015/16 By-elections Report

    Yesterday the Chief Electoral Officer, Glen Resler, released his report on two by-elections; one held in Calgary-Foothills on September 3, 2015 and one held in Calgary-Greenway on March 22, 2016, pursuant to the provisions of section 4(6) of the Election Act. The report highlights: statistical information on key by-election activities such as candidate registration, nomination, polling activities and financial…

  • NDP Should Justify Excessive Language Infringing on Property and Privacy Rights in Bill 20: Cooper

    NDP Should Justify Excessive Language Infringing on Property and Privacy Rights in Bill 20: Cooper

    EDMONTON, AB: The NDP government needs to justify why Bill 20, the carbon tax bill, gives it the power to enter virtually any property or computer in Alberta, and conduct warrantless searches, Wildrose Shadow Property Rights Minister Nathan Cooper said Wednesday. The full powers described to enter lands without a warrant are listed under Part…

  • Wildrose is Determined to Bring all Alberta Conservatives Together

    Wildrose is Determined to Bring all Alberta Conservatives Together

    After a year of NDP government, huge numbers of right-of-centre Albertans are clamouring for a united conservative party to stand in the next election. Despite overtures made by the Wildrose last autumn, leadership and delegates at the recent PC annual general meeting emphatically voted to move ahead in isolation. For those who want to see…

  • Government to Ensure Consistency in Executive Compensation

    Government to Ensure Consistency in Executive Compensation

      Today the government introduced Bill 19, Reform of Agencies, Boards and Commissions Compensation Act, to address consistency and fairness in executive compensation levels. The proposed legislation would enable government to develop regulations setting compensation frameworks, including salary ranges, for executives and board members of the public agencies, boards and commissions subject to the Alberta…

  • Diagnostic Lab Service Report Raises Further Questions: Wildrose

    Diagnostic Lab Service Report Raises Further Questions: Wildrose

    EDMONTON, AB (May 18, 2016): Following the release of the Health Quality Council of Alberta’s report on diagnostic lab services in Alberta, there remain too many questions about whether or not the NDP government is using the best available evidence to provide a lab service delivery model for Edmonton and northern Alberta, the Wildrose Official Opposition…

  • Alberta to Consult on Minimum Wage

    Alberta to Consult on Minimum Wage

    As previously committed, the Government of Alberta will listen to employers and employees on how to move forward with changes to the minimum wage. Focused consultations will be held over the next month with key stakeholders, including employers, social service organizations and low-income earners. Discussion topics will include future increases, meal and lodging deductions and…

  • Fort McMurray Wildfires – Where to Donate

    Fort McMurray Wildfires – Where to Donate

    Donate to Fort McMurray’s Local Charities May 5, 2016 Updated May 11, 2016 The wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alberta is catastrophic, forcing the evacuation of 80,000 people. Thankfully there have been no lives lost at this stage. This will likely be Canada’s largest disaster, surpassing the 1998 Quebec Ice Storm. The 2011 Slave Lake wildfire…

  • Another Major Credit Downgrade Should be a Call to Action: Wildrose

    Another Major Credit Downgrade Should be a Call to Action: Wildrose

    EDMONTON, AB (May 19, 2016): The NDP government should reinstate a debt ceiling after Standard and Poor’s (S&P) delivered a deeper downgrade to Alberta’s credit rating, the Wildrose Official Opposition said today. S&P lowered Alberta’s rating to AA from AA+ citing the NDP’s “very weak budgetary performance and high, increasing debt.” The agency lowered Alberta’s…

  • Alberta Moves Forward to Strengthen Independent Environmental Monitoring and Science Program

    Alberta Moves Forward to Strengthen Independent Environmental Monitoring and Science Program

    Government is tabling legislation that would help establish more rigorous environmental monitoring, open up access to data and assure independent and transparent science. Bill 18, An Act to Ensure Independent Environmental Monitoring, would officially move the environmental monitoring, evaluation and reporting functions once led by the Alberta Environmental Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting Agency (AEMERA) back…

  • What’s the Backlash Against Gender-Neutral Bathrooms All About?

    What’s the Backlash Against Gender-Neutral Bathrooms All About?

    Last week North Carolina became the first state to pass a law requiring transgender individuals (including students) to use only bathrooms that match their biological (rather than identified) gender. They did so in response to an ordinance passed in Charlotte that supported transgender bathroom choice. Transgender students’ access to bathrooms is an increasingly active front…