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.
Funding for Indigenous continuing care will help create culturally appropriate spaces for Alberta’s Indigenous.
Through Budget 2023, the Government of Alberta will invest $310 million over three years in the Continuing Care Capital Program. The program, which includes an Indigenous stream, aims to strengthen the quality and long-term sustainability of the continuing care system.
It will also help create spaces that are culturally safe and address the unique needs of Alberta’s Indigenous, while ensuring they have the same access to high-quality care as everyone else.
“Indigenous people in our province need batter access to culturally safe continuing care spaces so they can receive the care they need in familiar surroundings close to their family and friends,” said Minister of Health Jason Copping.
“The Indigenous stream of the Continuing Care Capital Program offers Indigenous groups an opportunity to partner with the province to develop continuing care spaces equipped with appropriate supports and services.”
Grant proposals from Indigenous groups will be opened later this year.
Watch the Press Conference.
In August 2021, the government invited eligible Indigenous groups to apply for one-time capital grant funding through the Indigenous stream of the Continuing Care Capital Program. The grant intake closed in December 2021 and Alberta Health is working with successful applicants to complete the final steps of the process.
The Continuing Care Capital Program is part of the government’s broader commitment to address the recommendations identified in the Facility-Based Continuing Care Review report and responds to recommendations for the province to work with Indigenous communities and organizations to develop culturally appropriate continuing care capacity. The Indigenous stream of the Continuing Care Capital Program is the first of its kind in Canada.
“The Continuing Care Capital Program will keep Elders and loved ones who require culturally appropriate health care close to their families in our communities,” said Alexander First Nation Chief George Arcand Jr.
“Sustainable, on-reserve health care ensures Alexander First Nation families will lead strong, healthy and connected lives for the next seven generations.”
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.
Youth aging out of government care will have extra supports to transition into living successful, independent lives.
The Government of Alberta is investing $28 million through Budget 2023, including $25.6 million over the next three years for the Transition to Adulthood Program (TAP). An additional $2.5 million will go towards enabling youth and young adults to build a career in skilled trades.
“Youth and young adults transitioning out of care deserve to have access to the same workplace opportunities and post-secondary paths as their peers. My ministry is taking action to remove the barriers they face and invest in their future so they can chase their dreams and reach their full potential,” said Minister of Children’s Services Mickey Amery.
Youth aging out of care in Canada earn about $326,000 less over their lifetime, statistics show, compared with their peers. Research also shows they face barriers moving on to post-secondary education, and have higher rates of homelessness, unemployment or underemployment. Those leaving government care typically live with mental health challenges, and have experienced trauma. They are more likely to face discrimination and barriers to training and education, and Alberta’s government is helping to change that.
With the extra funding, TAP’s budget will increase to $68 million. This will help more youth and young adults aging out of government care access specialized, coordinated and consistent services that will prepare them to live independently, pursue further education and build careers. Ongoing emotional supports are also available.
The funding from Skilled Trades and Professions will support about 500 youth and young adults looking to start a career in the trades. This will include training and education-related supports, such as worksite tours, mentorship programs, preparing for apprenticeship exams, career events, training, work placements and skills development.
Emilia St. Pierre, once a youth in government care and now a Red Seal welder and NAIT graduate, says she thinks more will pursue trades careers.
“I think this is a fantastic investment for youth and young adults aging out of care. I’m a prime example of what can happen when a youth aging out of care has the right supports in place to succeed and chase their dreams,” she said.
Pat Kynock, who has fostered more than 50 children and youth over 30-years says the investment can help save those transitioning out of care.
“They have gone through enough hardships in life and don’t have the same connections that their peers do. These additional supports would make a huge impact in the kids’ lives and help set them up for success.”
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 Red Deer airport if poised to become a national logistics hub with a $30-million provincial investment.
Alberta’s Government made the announcement on March 15, as part of Budget 2023.
“As the MLA for Red Deer-North and as a resident of Red Deer, I know this expansion will be a welcomed addition for the community,” said MLA Adriana LaGrange. “This expansion will be an asset to the transportation corridor, as it will attract new passenger and cargo services, improve tourism and create jobs.
“I am happy to see further investments that will support our booming community.”
Building on a $7.5-million provincial grant to upgrade and repair the airport runway, the funding will go towards critical infrastructure. This includes road construction, water sanitation, stormwater, and fibre optic installation. It will also improved emergency access to Springbrook.
This will lay the foundation to attract low-fare passenger airlines. Planning for a new passenger terminal that would accommodate fir 737 aircraft is already underway.
Watch the press conference regarding a $30-million investment in the Red Deer Regional Airport.
“We are glad this government has recognized the unique opportunity the airport and central Alberta can play in expanding our economic impact through diversification,” said Red Deer Regional Airport CEO Graham Ingram.
“We already have a tenant looking to expand their business as a result of this positive development. By building the road north, we now have the opportunity to access the additional 220 acres, which we hope will bring in cargo, aircraft repair and other airline-related services.”
That tenant is aerial firefighting company Air Spray, which is the largest business at the airport. They announced plans to add additional hangar space.
Boosting airport competitiveness
The investment aligns with a broader strategy to improve the competitiveness of airports. The province is looking at policy changes to compete with U.S. airports like Seattle that can bring in cargo at lower prices than is currently possible in the province.
The Strategic Aviation Advisory Council was formed in 2020 by the government to help with this, and advise on how to increase economic development through airports, as well as expand markets and create jobs.
The Aviation and aerospace industry employs more than 18,000 people, as per Statistics Canada, and contributed $1.5 billion to Alberta’s GDP in 2021.
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.
Red Deer will soon have better access to justice with a Court of King’s Bench applications judge appointment.
The Government of Alberta is appointing Matthew Park as an applications judge for the city effective June 1.
“Having an applications judge in Red Deer will improve access to justice for residents. Matthew Park is an outstanding member of his community and I congratulate him on his appointment,” said Minister of Justice Tyler Shandro in a release.
An applications judge deals with matters of civil law, maintenance enforcement, foreclosures, bankruptcy, residential tenancy disputes and builders’ liens.
In order to be eligible for an applications judge appointment, candidates must have been at the bar for at least 10 years, be approved by an interview panel and then be recommended by the Alberta Judicial Council.
Park is very familiar with Red Deer. He began working as a student-at-law with Warren Sinclair LLP in 2005. He became an associate lawyer, and has been a partner since 2010. Park specializes in commercial litigation.
Not only is he an active member of Alberta’s legal community, he’s also active in the Red Deer community. He served as secretary to the Central Alberta Bar Society and as director of the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic Foundation. He is also a charter member of the Waskasoo Optimist Club of Red Deer and has served as director and treasurer of the Downtown Red Deer Business Association.
The Court of King’s Bench, as per the Alberta Courts website, is the Superior Trial Court for the province. It deals with trials of civil and criminal matter, as well as appeals decisions of the Provincial Court.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
