Albertans are currently enjoying the lowest fuel prices in Canada.
Alberta has an average gas price of 124.7 cents/litre, compared to the national average of 147.3 cents/litre.
In Red Deer-North, fuel prices sit around the 117.9 cents/litre mark.
These prices are achieved through the Alberta government’s affordability measures. This includes the cutting of the 13.6-cent provincial fuel tax on gas, diesel and farm fuel from Jan 1, 2023-June 30, 2023.
The estimated savings for someone driving a car is $163 over six months, and $444 for someone driving a truck over the same time period.
The provincial government is committed to making life more affordable for all Albertans through the Affordability Action Plan.
Post-secondary students struggling with the cost of living will receive help from the provincial government.
The Government of Alberta and the Advanced Education department are providing students with a series of new affordability supports as part of Budget 2023.
“High inflation has made life more expensive for all Albertans, including post-secondary students. These new measures will help all students deal with higher costs during these challenging times,” said Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides in press release.
Initiatives to improve affordability include:
Capping domestic tuition increases at two per cent in 2024-25 and for future academic years.
Reducing student loan interest rates to the prime rate, reducing the cost of borrowing for both current and future Alberta student loan borrowers.
Doubling the student loan interest-free grace period from six months to 12 months to give students more time to find gainful employment
Increasing the thresholds for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) to $40,000 from $25,000 so more students can benefit.
The Alberta Student Grant will also be increased by $225 per month for each eligible student in the 2022-23 loan year. This means eligible students will receive up to $475 per month. The additional funding will be retroactive to the start of the 2022-2023 academic year in the form of a lump sum payment.
Students receiving the additional funding from the Alberta Student Grant will be notified by Alberta Student Aid in March.
Constituents of Red Deer-North with questions, comments, concerns or feedback can reach out to the local constituency office via the contact page.
Grade 1 students affected by pandemic-related learning disruptions will have help.
The Government of Alberta is providing an additional $10 million to develop foundational math and literacy skills for those who need help catching up to grade level.
“Alberta’s government is building on last year’s success, where we helped at-risk students catch up to their peers by more than half a year’s worth of learning,” said Education Minister and Red Deer-North MLA Adriana LaGrange.
“We are taking action to prevent future challenges for our youngest learners, who are in the critical years of their development.”
Building on support
The additional funding builds on previous supports the province implemented to address learning disruptions.
A total of $45 million was provided by the provincial government in 2021-22 for students in grades 1-3. Almost seven months of literacy and numeracy development was regained by 70,000 students.
Data showed that approximately 20 per cent of students required further intervention to catch up, and another $10 million was provided to help support the same cohort of students, now in grades 2-4.
However, feedback from school authorities, teachers, parents, as well as ongoing research shows students currently in Grade 1 were affected by learning disruptions in Kindergarten and/or preschool. As a result, they’re experiencing challenges in reading and math during a year that, for many, is their first learning in a school setting.
Providing the funding at this time means schools had preceding months to work with students and determine their exact needs. School authorities have the flexibility to tailor programs for students, such as hiring additional teachers and educational assistants, provide more training for staff, or purchase reasources.
“Targeted early literacy and numeracy programming is a proven practice that has a significant impact on student learning,” said Scott Morrison with the College of Alberta School Superintendents.
“The College of Alberta School Superintendents board of directors appreciates the additional funding to support foundational math and literacy development for Alberta Grade 1 students.”
The supports given to students now will help prevent future learning difficulties for these students.
School authorities can begin applying for funding immediately.
Alberta aims to bring in more internationally educated nurses to bolster the health care system.
More than 600 new seats are being created for nurse bridging programs, as well as a new bursary for internationally educated nurses.
“We are reducing barriers for internationally educated nurses to come to Alberta,” said Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides. “This is truly a ‘win-win’ for our province, and will help us train more nurses to keep our health care system strong now, and in the future.”
In Budget 2023, Alberta is planning to invest more than $15 million to train and support these nurses.
“The costs of internationally trained nurses to get accredited to work in Alberta can be a hurdle for many looking to further their careers here,” said Minister of Health Jason Copping. “These bridging program bursaries remove the financial challenges and also help attract more health-care workers to the province to meet our growing needs.”
Bursaries for internationally educated nurses
A $7.8 million annual investment, under Budget 2023, will fund non-repayable financial assistance for internationally educated nurses, building on the $1.25 million announcement last fall.
Eligible nurses would be able to access up to $30,000 over five years through a bursary to help offset the costs of nursing bridging programs, tuition and living expenses. The bursary will be available in the 2023-24 academic year.
Recipients are required to complete one year of nursing service in Alberta for every $6,000 disbursed. This will ensure Albertan patients and communities benefit from having nurses start their careers in the province. A third party will disburse assistance and oversee the program on behalf of Alberta Student Aid.
Any internationally educated nurse learner living in Alberta who has enrolled in an approved bridging program will be eligible for the bursary, regardless of their eligibility for any other federal or provincial student aid. The amount will be determined base don program of study, tuition costs, licensing and program fees, with a minimum of $8,000 awarded.
600 new seats in bridging program
A total of $7.3 million is earmarked to create more than 600 new seats for registered nurse and licensed practical nurse bridging and licensing programs starting in the 2023-24 academic year.
This includes 256 new seats at Mount Royal University, 120 at Bow Valley College and 250 at NorQuest College nurse bridging programs.
About 403,000 Albertans have been diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The number is expected to increase to 573,000 by 2032. The group is working to identify gaps and how to provide better overall care for diabetics while ensuring programs and services are sustainable.
“Each year the number of Albertans diagnosed with diabetes increases and this trend is concerning. Finding ways to more effectively prevent, screen for and treat this serious, chronic condition is critical,” said Minister of Health Jason Copping.
“With this group’s expertise and experience, and the insights gathered through this review, we can establish a way forward that better meets the needs of Albertans at risk for and living with diabetes.”
Minister Copping attended the meeting virtually, and recommendations from the group for improving diabetes care and informing a provincial diabetes strategy will be shared with the Minister of Health in Fall 2023.
The working group is comprised of 16 individuals, including co-chairs Dr. Julie McKeen and Dr. Peter Sargious.
“As a diabetes care provider and administrator, I have seen the impact of diabetes and its challenges, and I am excited to be part of the Diabetes Working Group,” said McKeen.
“This is a unique opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review of diabetes prevention and management in Alberta and provide recommendations that can positively influence the care of Albertans at risk for, affected by and living with diabetes.”
Other working group members include:
Diabetes Canada representative
JDRF (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) representative
Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association representative
Métis Nation of Alberta representative
First Nations community representative
Primary care physician, researcher with a focus on Indigenous health
Physician representative from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta Council
Pharmacist representative from Alberta College of Pharmacy (regulated member)
Nurse representative from the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta
Dietitian representative from the College of Dietitians of Alberta (regulated member)
Physician representative from the Alberta Medical Association
Albertan with Type 1 diabetes
Albertan with Type 2 diabetes
Albertan who uses an insulin pump
The working group will also receive input from a variety of other representatives from the diabetes community, such as manufacturers and community advocacy groups, to ensure that all perspectives and experiences are considered while developing recommendations for the future of Alberta’s diabetes care pathway.
Albertans can email their suggestions to the Diabetes Working Group at diabetes@gov.ab.ca.
Red Deer-North Constituents with questions, comments, concerns or ideas can also reach out to their MLA through the local constituency office or using the contact form.
