Alberta Minute: Increased Capacity, Wine Sales, and Massage Therapy Regulation
Alberta Minute: Increased Capacity, Wine Sales, and Massage Therapy Regulation
Alberta Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Alberta politics.
This Week In Alberta:
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BC wineries can once again sell directly to Albertans under a new Direct-to-Consumer program. The program allows approved wineries to remit taxes to Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis for direct sales, resolving a trade dispute that temporarily banned such transactions. The agreement is set to last one year before it is evaluated.
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Alberta is pledging support to help California combat the devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles and surrounding areas. The Province is preparing to send water bombers, night-vision helicopters, and an incident command team as officials assess California's needs. The wildfires have claimed at least five lives, destroyed thousands of structures, and prompted widespread evacuations. Residents are facing smoke-filled air, water shortages, and continued risks as the fires continue to burn.
- Massage therapy associations in Alberta are collaborating with the provincial government to seek regulation for the profession. Unlike other provinces such as BC and Ontario, Alberta lacks standardized education, competency requirements, and oversight for massage therapists. Advocates argue that regulation would ensure consistent professional standards, protect clients, and improve public understanding of the scope of massage therapy. In October 2024, a formal application for regulation was submitted to the Health Minister, who is currently reviewing the proposal.
Last Week In Alberta:
- The Province signed a new agreement with Enbridge to boost heavy oil exports to the United States and explore opportunities for pipeline capacity, storage, and market access. Premier Danielle Smith said she aims to double Alberta's oil production and emphasized Alberta's role in addressing US energy demands. She said she intends to foster similar partnerships with other pipeline companies.
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Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides defended new mandatory literacy and numeracy assessments for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, despite opposition from the Alberta Teachers’ Association. The new assessments aim to identify early learning challenges, but the ATA argued the increased testing disrupts classroom instruction, causes unnecessary stress, and provides little new insight for teachers. Nicolaides said that the screenings are based on scientific research and offer valuable data to support struggling students and their parents.
- The Alberta United Conservatives have approved the first MLA salary increase since 2013, aligning it with the province's average public service rate increase. The annual base salary for MLAs, currently just under $121,000, will get a 2.5% hike retroactive to January and effective in April. Chief Government Whip Shane Getson stated the adjustments are reasonable and aimed at enhancing the ability of MLAs to serve their constituents.
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