Wishing Christians and all who celebrate in Red Deer-North and beyond a blessed Good Friday.
May you find peace and joy as you honour the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ made.
May you also have a wonderful Easter weekend.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) will receive a $96,170 grant as part of the province’s efforts to reduce wait lists and increase supports for victims of sexual violence.
This is part of the Alberta government’s $3.8-million investment to address wait lists at 13 sexual assault centres. Another $400,000 will help expand a new service model to provide survivors who are waiting for services with resources, supports and information to address their individual needs and situation.
“I have spent time meeting with organizations and am glad to see that this funding is being used to address the immediate concerns of counselling wait-lists,” said Parliamentary secretary for Status of Women Tanya Fir.
“It is critical that when somebody reaches out, help is available. Our government’s response to this concern is ensuring that sexual assault survivors across the province can get the support they need and deserve.”
Alberta’s network of sexual assault centres provides essential services to children, youth, adults and seniors regardless of gender, including counselling, police and court support, as well as programs to prevent sexual violence in both rural and urban communities across the province.
Since 2021, Alberta’s government has expanded government-funded services in Hinton, Edson, Jasper, Yellowhead County and Grande Cache, Wabasca, Smoky Lake and Metis Settlements and First Nations.
This funding is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to combat sexual assault and promote a culture of healthy relationships built on consent and respect.
Read the press release on the Government of Alberta website.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
Alberta’s job growth continued in March, according to the most recent labour force survey from Statistics Canada.
The province gained nearly 14,000 new jobs, and accounted for over a third of job growth in Canada.
“Opportunities in our province continue to grow and more Albertans are finding good jobs and taking home regular paycheques. It is very encouraging to see that even as more and more people choose Alberta, they are finding meaningful work,” said Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development.
“We know that Alberta is a land of opportunity with a Renewed Alberta Advantage that is helping to attract investment, diversify our economy and create jobs. The policies our government has been relentlessly pursuing mean that job creators, entrepreneurs and skilled workers have a home here and can succeed. That is why nearly 500,000 more Albertans are working today than were working in May 2019.”
Of the 14,000 new jobs, more than 10,000 were full time positions.
Jean attributes this growth to the Alberta is Calling campaign, red tape reduction, as well as other factors like low taxes and higher wages.
“Our Alberta is Calling campaign has been incredibly successful at making sure Canadians know about the many benefits available in our province and we are working hard to ensure that those benefits continue long into the future,” he said.
“Our low taxes mean that Albertans can take home more of their regular pay from paycheques that are already the highest in the country. Our red tape reduction means that job creators and entrepreneurs can more seamlessly do the work needed to help grow our economy. Programs like the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program mean that more people from around the world can come here to join us in continuing to build up the province we love. And programs like our Film and Television Tax Credit and our Investment and Growth Fund are helping to attract investment and jobs in an increasingly diversified economy.
“We are on the right track, and we are committed to continuing the work of our grandparents and great-grandparents who built this province into what it is today. And we are committed to further diversification so that there are more opportunities for everyone so they can support their families and pursue their dreams.”
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
Alberta’s government is investing $40 million in communities to ensure access to food banks and public transit. The funds will also support non-profit organizations through the Family and Community Support Services program and the Civil Society Fund.
“For the families, seniors and other individuals struggling today, they can know that Alberta’s government is providing the help they need,” said Jeremy Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.
“Continued investments into communities and non-profits are making a difference for thousands of Albertans, as they can put food on the table, access public transit and other local support programs. Our government is proud to be providing this support for those most in need.”
Alberta’s government is providing $10 million through Budget 2023 to support food banks and food security programs to ensure families and individuals can put food on their tables.
“As one of over 100 food banks across Alberta, we are glad to see the Alberta government has taken another step to help fight hunger. The increased cost of living continues to make it harder and harder for people to make ends meet. Additional funds are welcome and appreciated.”
Melissa From, president & CEO, Calgary Food Bank
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Albertans depend on support programs from their municipalities to access public transit. That’s why Budget 2023 is providing $16 million to support low-income transit pass programs in 14 communities across the province. This ensures that Albertans can get where they need to go in the community, whether it be to see a doctor, get to and from school or work, or to the grocery store.
“While we are all struggling with increasing costs of living, public transit is an essential element in addressing affordability issues. In the Bow Valley, we have seen the benefits of providing subsidized transit access. I’m happy to see the low-income transit pass initiative roll out in support of regional connectivity in other parts of the province as well.”
Sean Krausert, Mayor, Town of Canmore
Alberta’s FCSS program helps Albertans adopt healthy lifestyles, improve their quality of life and build their capacity to prevent and/or deal with crises.
Budget 2023 increases total funding to the FCSS program to $105 million, which means increased funding to all 198 municipalities and Metis Settlements that take part in the program provincewide.
“Every dollar invested in preventive services saves us $7 to $12 in future spending on justice, health care and addictions. As our provincial priorities focus on critical social issues, Albertans have never needed FCSS more than today.”
Murtaza Jamaly, president, Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta
Alberta’s government is continuing to invest in non-profit organizations as they serve their communities with $9 million over three years for the Civil Society Fund. This funding provides support for a wide range of projects, including those supporting individuals facing food insecurity, those living with disabilities, homelessness and unemployment, as well as victims of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.
This $9 million builds on the $20 million already provided through the Civil Society Fund when it was first launched in 2020-21. Additional details on how organizations can apply will be shared later this year.
“At Rocky Mountain Adaptive, our aim is to create inclusive and accessible outdoor adventures in Alberta’s incredible natural outdoor environments. The support of the Government of Alberta shows the desire to increase inclusivity for Albertans living with disabilities and will directly assist with RMA’s ability to increase our impact through expanded programming options.”
Jamie McCulloch, executive director, Rocky Mountain Adaptive
Budget 2023 secures Alberta’s future by transforming the health-care system to meet people’s needs, supporting Albertans with the high cost of living, keeping our communities safe and driving the economy with more jobs, quality education and continued diversification.
View the full press release on the Government of Alberta website.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
Happy Passover!
To all those that celebrate Passover (Pesach) in Red Deer-North and Jewish people everywhere, we hope your days are filled with joy and blessings this week, and throughout the rest of the year.
This week-long Jewish celebration begins at sundown April 5th, 2023 and runs until April 13th. Pesach celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.