Author: Gateway Gazette Contributor

Alberta now ranks lowest in Canada; taxes and red tape causing greatest difficulty for entrepreneurs CALGARY – The monthly Business Barometer® index for Alberta took another step back in August according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Small business confidence declined 1.9 points this month to 53.9, putting it 7.7 points below the national…

A provincial grant to Native Friendship Centres is supporting the hiring of four navigators to connect people with life-saving treatment, harm reduction and culturally sensitive wraparound services. Navigators have been hired in Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge and Grande Prairie with the support of the $400,000 grant. Workshops, naloxone training sessions and educational material will also be…

Recently transformed by a $36 million renovation, 2018 is the year of fresh starts at the formerly-known Delta Lodge at Kananaskis – now officially rebranded as Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection Hotel. From its backcountry-luxe rooms, suites & bi-level lofts to the energizing redesign of its restaurants, the evolution is evident in every detail throughout the…

Christina Gray, Minister of Labour, issued the following statement regarding Labour Day: “Labour Day is a time to reflect on the important accomplishments of Alberta’s labour movement and celebrate working people. Many of the rights and privileges we enjoy today are the result of sacrifices made by others. Alberta has a long history of advocacy…

It’s that time of year again. Store shelves are stacked with back-to-school supplies and racks of summer clothes are being replaced with sweaters and long pants. Getting your child ready for the new school year includes stocking up on notebooks, binders and pencils, but there’s more to making the most of the year ahead: taking…

At the end of this month, Alberta’s biggest celebration of arts, heritage, diversity and community spirit returns. Albertans will come together to celebrate Alberta Culture Days Sept. 28-30. Hundreds of free, family-friendly events will be held across the province, offering art workshops, historical exhibits, delicious food and so much more. “Alberta’s biggest cultural party is…

Canada released their first ever Poverty Reduction Strategy this month. The strategy aims to reduce poverty by 50% by 2030, reduce chronic homelessness by 50%, improve water quality on reserves by 2021, and reduce housing needs for 530,000 households. Accountability measures are included, such as Canada’s first official poverty line, and the creation of a National…

The Alberta government is pitching in to ensure the Canadian Finals Rodeo inaugural year at Red Deer’s Westerner Park is a huge success.   The Westerner Exposition Association is receiving $250,000 through the Major Fairs Program to host the Canadian Finals Rodeo championship Oct. 30 to Nov. 4 at the park’s Enmax Centrium arena. The…

New provincial standards will increase public safety by making 911 service more consistent across the province. The standards will apply to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), the first people on the line when you call 911. PSAPs are responsible for dispatching calls to the necessary emergency service. The 911 system in Alberta is currently led…

Award-winning project recognized for moving AHS closer to “one patient, one record” across province Story & photo by Vanessa Gomez EDMONTON — An ambitious project here is successfully moving Alberta Health Services (AHS) towards “one patient, one record” — its goal of giving patients a paperless record that will follow them throughout the province, no…

By Deborah Byrd, EarthSky News This hoax circulates every August. It’s in the top 10 most-searched-for subjects at EarthSky this week. Is it true? No. Mars wasn’t as big as the moon on August 27……or ever. Will Mars and the moon will appear the same size? Will Mars ever appear as big as the moon, seen…