Red tape is serious business for those it affects.
Excessive bureaucracy, unnecessary regulations, and redundant paperwork are an expensive headache for businesses and families and a barrier for new investment and job creation.
The red tape burden was so large, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) gave Alberta an F grade in its annual red tape report card, which measures red tape performance across the country. Last week, however, the CFIB gave Alberta a grade of A-, the highest grade in the country.
In 2019, we promised to make life better for Albertans by cutting red tape by one-third. As was noted in the CFIB’s latest report, our government has, so far, cut more than 27 per cent of Alberta’s regulatory burden since 2019 – meaning we are well on our way to keeping our promise.
This has a real impact on the pocketbooks of Albertans. The red tape we have reduced so far has saved Alberta families and businesses an estimated $2.1 billion. And that number will only grow as we continue our red tape reduction efforts.
This also has a real impact on the lives and lifestyles of Albertans. Our red tape reduction efforts include giving responsible Albertans and Alberta businesses more options when choosing to purchase, consume, produce, or sell alcohol; modernizing the delivery of vehicle registry services by eliminating the use of licence plate stickers that mark the month and year of vehicle registration – a move that is saving taxpayers around $1.2 million per year; and reducing the administrative burden for the innovation sector, enabling easier access to $150 million in annual funding, while allowing Alberta entrepreneurs and researchers to spend less time on paperwork and more time on developing innovative solutions that can drive economic growth.
We haven’t done this work alone. We have accomplished this with the help of everyday Albertans, as well as business and industry. And we continue to call for more ideas. Any Albertan who has come across a government process that is too complex, takes too long, serves no purpose, or is duplicative or wasteful should share their views and recommendations for change at www.alberta.ca/cut-red-tape.aspx. All submissions will be reviewed and sent to the responsible ministry for consideration and follow-up.
We will work to ensure red tape doesn’t continue to creep back in. We want to make sure that Albertans face fewer unnecessary processes and that our province remains the best place in the world to live, work, and do business. We are proud Alberta is once again a national leader in cutting red tape for job creators, taxpayers, and families. Alberta is back on top, and with your help, we will stay there.
Strengthening free speech on campus
Alberta’s government will require post-secondary institutions to provide annual free speech reporting to the minister of Advanced Education.
This action furthers previous work in 2019 which required all 26 publicly funded post-secondary institutions in Alberta to either endorse the Chicago Principles on free expression or develop a policy that is consistent with the principles. All institutions complied and implemented their policies by the minister’s deadline of Dec. 15, 2019, with an exception made for Burman University and the institution’s religious values.
Creating more affordable, accessible childcare spaces
Continued advocacy to the federal government means that Alberta families will have access to thousands more licensed private child-care spaces.
Following an agreement on the Cost Control Framework and For-Profit Expansion Plan with the federal government, up to 22,500 additional licensed private childcare spaces may become eligible for funding supports over the next three years for a total of 68,700 new licensed childcare spaces by the end of March 2026. These supports will help increase access to childcare across the province and reduce childcare fees for Alberta parents.
Highlighting the need for foster parents
A new awareness campaign called Just Like You encourages Albertans to become foster parents and provide loving homes for children and youth in care.
The call for more foster parents is part of ongoing work by the Ministry of Children’s Services to create more stability within the system, reduce the number of moves and minimize disruption during a child’s time in care. Reviewing and improving the foster care system was identified as a priority by Premier Danielle Smith when she issued her mandate letter to Children’s Services Minister Mickey Amery.
Supporting low-income transit options
Alberta’s government is providing more support to help low-income families move through their communities to access jobs, education, and health care.
Alberta’s government is investing up to $15 million to support low-income transit programs throughout the province. Recent data shows that low-income transit pass programs in Edmonton and Calgary gave almost 390,000 Albertans mobility last year. This year, Calgary and Edmonton each received $4.5 million to provide their low-income transit pass programs through 2022-23. An additional $6 million in funding will be used to support low-income transit pass programs for municipalities across the province, which will be available to pay for some operating costs.
Providing more funding to students with disabilities
Alberta’s government is investing $5 million to increase access to specialized supports and services to maintain an inclusive learning environment.
Alberta’s government has increased Low Incidence Supports and Services (LISS) funding by more than $3 million in response to feedback from school authorities and education partners. This funding will allow school authorities to hire and train specialized professionals and provide equipment for students who are blind, deafblind, deaf, hard of hearing or have complex communications needs. Students who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, deafblind, or those with complex communication needs, account for about one per cent of the total student population, which is approximately 7,500 students in Alberta.
The Alberta government is speeding up 911 response times.
Non-urgent calls will be sent to a new, dedicated EMS-811 Shared Response team, including an 811 nurse to ensure Albertans have the highest level of care available in serious situations.
The shared response team will work with EMS emergency communications officers to assess the level of care needed, allowing urgent calls to receive a faster ambulance response.
“Empowering dispatchers to divert non-urgent calls to a dedicated team of experienced nurses within 811 when clinically appropriate is a win for Albertans,” said Jason Copping, Minister of Health in a Government of Alberta statement.
“Everyone will have access to the appropriate level of care they need when they need it. The new approach makes our EMS system more responsive to the needs of Albertans.”
Non-urgent calls account for about 10-20 per cent of total 911 call volume, depending on the area. With the EMS-811 Shared Response team, an estimated 40,000 non-emergency responses could be avoided each year.
Albertans who call 911 will be connected with EMS, where an emergency communications officer will triage patients similarly to a hospital emergency department. While assuring the caller help is on the way, the officer will transfer patients best handled with alternate levels of care to a team of experienced registered nurses at 811. The registered nurse will continue to assess the patient and situation to identify appropriate care options.
The calls sent to the new shared response team do not wait in the regular 811 queue, and if it’s determined an ambulance is required, one is then dispatched.
“Collaboration between EMS and Health Link has helped us generate this innovative solution. We are creating capacity for EMS and also helping the patient with care they need. This is one more example of how dedicated teams work together to achieve a common goal,” said Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Alberta Health Services Dr. Francois Belanger.
This new system is part of the provincial government and AHS’ ongoing efforts to improve emergency medical services coverage.
Other measures being taken through the Health Care Action Plan. This includes using alternative methods for non-emergency transfers, which AHS is issuing a request for expressions of interest and qualifications for the Calgary and Edmonton areas in early February.
If you have questions, concerns or comments, contact your Red Deer-North Constituency Office using the form here.
The Alberta government is increasing funding for students who are blind, deafblind, hard of hearing or have complex communications needs.
Funding for Low Incidence Supports and Services (LISS) is being increased from $1.8 million to $5 million. This increase will allow school authorities to hire and train specialists and provide equipment to maintain an inclusive learning environment.
The decision was made in response to feedback from education partners and school authorities.
“We have heard from families and school divisions that more supports are needed in the classroom to help address and support class complexity,” said Minister of Education and the MLA for Red Deer-North Adriana LaGrange.
“This funding is one of many steps we are taking to further strengthen our education system by making it a place where students are able to maximize their potential with minimal barriers.”
Students who are blind or visually impaired, deaf, hard-of-hearing, deafblind or have complex communication needs account for about one per cent of the student population in the province – or 7,500 students.
Funding will be provided directly to public and separate school boards, public charter schools and francophone regional authorities that identified need for additional supports.
“Education is a key predictor of future employment and quality of life in the blind and partially sighted community,” said Christall Beaudry, the vice president in Western Canada for the CNIB Foundation.
“This announcement shows the government listened to our students, parents and teachers for the visually impaired and they understand that investing directly in the education sector will make a meaningful difference, both now and in the future so our kids will thrive.”
Red Deer-North constituents with questions or concerns can reach out to the Constituency Office by using the contact form.
If you have comments, questions or concerns for the Minister of Education, please contact the Office of the Minister of Education at education.minister@gov.ab.ca or 780-427-5010.
Alberta has received the highest grade in Canada for red tape reduction measures.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) gave the province an A- in their annual Red Tape Report Card as part of Red Tape Awareness Week. Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally called it good news.
“The CFIB has been instrumental in motivating governments to take action on red tape, and as the minister responsible for red tape reduction, I am honoured by the recognition. It is one thing to make the honour roll, but it is quite another to place at the top of your class,” he said in a statement.
“Still, it’s the results that count. Whether we are making it easier for vulnerable Albertans to apply for services or eliminating unnecessary administrative burdens for business, our goal is the same – to improve outcomes for Albertans and Alberta businesses while still ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place. Red tape reduction since 2019 has saved Albertans and Alberta businesses $2.1 billion.”
The government is relying on recommendations from Albertans, businesses and industry on ways to cut red tape. Previous recommendations have been received through the red tape reduction website and email www.alberta.ca/cut-red-tape.aspx (cutredtape@gov.ab.ca), as well as through the nine Red Tape Reduction Industry Panels that represent the province’s key economic sectors.
Constituents of Red Deer-North with questions, concerns, or comments on the provincial government’s efforts to reduce red tape can contact the Constituency Office via the contact form.
L to R: Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, Danielle Smith, Premier, and Annie Dormuth, Provincial Director, CFIB. (Government of Alberta photo)
Affordability payments are providing financial relief to more than 875,000 Albertans.
The first of up to six $100 payments was sent out on Jan. 31 for seniors, parents with children under 18, and those on core support programs.
The exact timing of the payments may vary depending on when applications were completed. Albertans who requested cheques can expect them in the coming days.
Eligible Albertans have until June 30, 2023 to apply.
Those receiving financial support through the Alberta Seniors Benefit, AISH, Income Support, Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) will automatically be enrolled and do not need to apply through the portal.
Seniors 65 and older who are not already receiving benefits, as well as parents with children under 18 that have an annual household income of under $180,000 are eligible to apply.
Applications can be made online at www.alberta.ca/affordable. Applicants must have a valid Alberta.ca account, and will be asked to provide their Social Insurance Number (SIN) and banking information.
Those who can’t access the portal can visit their local registry or Alberta Supports location.
Anyone needing help with their application can call the Affordability Action Plan information line at 1-844-644-9955, or the Verified Account support line at 1-844-643-2789.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, or concerns can contact the Red Deer-North MLA Constituency Office by using the contact form.
