Alberta Minute: Healthcare Feedback, Highway Funding, and a Popular Immigration Stream

Alberta Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Alberta politics.

This Week In Alberta:

• There will be afternoon sittings of the Legislature today through Thursday, as well as an evening sitting tonight. There are also three Committee meetings this week, beginning with a meeting of the Select Special Ethics Commissioner and Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee this morning at 8:30 am. Tomorrow, at 8:00 am, there will be a meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and at 6:15 pm, the Standing Committee on Private Bills will meet.
  
  
• The Government of Alberta is seeking feedback from residents about the healthcare system through engagement sessions. These sessions, which have been expanded due to popular demand, aim to gather input on the recently announced revamp of Alberta Health Services into a single provincial health system split into four units. Over 2,500 people have participated in in-person sessions, with additional feedback received through online tools and virtual town halls. You can find and register for a session online.
  
  
• The Aristotle Foundation is a new Canadian think tank that aims to champion reason, democracy, and civilization. We're pleased to see the movement growing, and we encourage you all to look out for their upcoming research. They will also be hosting an official launch gala in Calgary on April 9th, with former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott as guest speaker. Tickets are available to purchase online.

Last Week In Alberta:

• Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said that the creation of a new continuing care agency will be delayed until the fall. The new agency will now be created in the fall, as part of the larger restructuring of Alberta Health Services, along with other agencies for primary care, acute care, and a ministry-led integration council. The Province wants to engage further with continuing-care operators and ensure a well-integrated rollout of multiple organizations simultaneously. However, the mental health and addiction agency remains on track for introduction in the spring.
  
  
• The Alberta Government’s new immigration stream for the hospitality industry has received significant interest since its launch on March 1st. The program aims to boost the tourism economy and provide a pathway to permanent residency for temporary foreign workers already employed in tourism and hospitality roles. Eligibility criteria include at least six months of work experience in the industry and a permanent job offer from an employer. The program has seen a surge in applications, which the Province is managing through a staged intake process.
  
  
• The Alberta government has allocated $1.9 billion for road and highway upgrades and expansions in 2024 as part of a larger $8.1-billion capital plan. Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen expects this investment to boost confidence in Alberta's construction industry and facilitate bidding on projects. Projects include the expansion of Terwillegar Drive in Edmonton, improvements to Highway 881 in northeastern Alberta, and various twinning and interchange projects across the province. Additionally, $151.2 million is allocated for engineering projects to address future infrastructure needs, such as rail overpasses and intersection changes.

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