Today marks National Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This is a time to listen, learn, and celebrate diverse Indigenous cultures and the outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
On this day, we also pause to remember the souls that were lost in the Residential School system and recommit ourselves to a better future.
Today we celebrate the rich and vibrant culture of Canada's First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples and their contributions to our province. I was delighted to join our Minister of Indigenous Relations@Richard4Alberta, yesterday at the Alberta government celebration. #ab#abpolipic.twitter.com/BSOVvaa8gm
Today is National Indigenous Peoples' Day. A time to recognize, learn and celebrate the diversity and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. pic.twitter.com/EQpEOLGZIL
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.
On June 20, 2023, Red Deer-North MLA Adriana LaGrange and her fellow MLAs were sworn-in.
Chief Government Whip Shane Getson released the following statement, after the swearing-in of Alberta’s United Conservative caucus:
I am honoured to have been sworn in today as the MLA for Red Deer-North. I look forward to continue serving my constituents and community. pic.twitter.com/xtJw1zBLkV
“Our United Conservative team is strong, united, and ready to deliver for Alberta families.
“Albertans sent us to the legislature to keep taxes low and life affordable, tackle drugs and crime, and continue growing and diversifying the economy – and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
“Albertans are optimistic people. In the last election, they once again rejected anger and division, and chose to continue moving forward with our positive vision for the future.
“Alberta is booming, but we have so much more to do to ensure our province reaches its full potential.
“The hard work starts now.”
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.
Cabinet and Treasury Board have voted to extend the fuel tax pause through the remainder of the year, fulfilling a promise made by Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservatives during the recent election campaign.
The rising cost of living is a top concern for Albertans and Alberta’s government remains committed to keeping everyday life more affordable by saving Albertans 13 cents per litre every time they fill up for the remainder of the year. This will help an Alberta family save between $6 and $18 every time they fill up their vehicle.
The fuel tax pause program has provided relief at a time of need and will continue to support Albertans. To date, Albertans have saved $1.5 billion and paid what have often been the lowest fuel prices in the country. Extending the pause will save another $520 million for Albertans.
“We are committed to keeping life affordable for Alberta families. Saving Albertans money when they fill up is Step 1 of this commitment. We will work every day to ensure that Alberta families can put more of their hard-earned money toward their essential needs.”
Danielle Smith, Premier
Alberta’s government first introduced a pause on fuel taxes in April of 2022 and paused taxes again in January to help combat high inflation. Now, Albertans will continue to save the full 13-cent tax on every litre of gas and diesel regardless of oil prices until at least Dec. 31, thanks to another extension of the fuel tax pause.
Since beginning the program, Alberta families have regularly paid less for gas than Canadians across all other provinces. Currently, Alberta families pay an average of 141.4 cents per litre, well below the Canadian average of 158.8 cents per litre.
“These savings have and will continue to have a real impact on the pocketbooks of Albertans. This measure is just one of many to help Albertans with the rising cost of living and it’s relief we can provide thanks to Alberta’s strong fiscal position.”
Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance
Alberta’s strong fiscal position allows the government to fund affordability measures like the fuel tax relief program while also continuing to save and build on Alberta’s economic advantage. Effective Jan. 1, Albertans will continue to benefit from the permanent fuel tax relief program that provides provincial fuel tax savings based on the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI).
With the federal government’s carbon tax increase in April, Albertans are now paying about 31 cents in federal taxes per litre of gas.
Quick facts
Alberta families currently pay the lowest for fuel across the country:
Alberta’s oil price-based fuel tax relief program will resume in 2024. The program saves Albertans some or all of the provincial fuel tax when average WTI prices exceed legislated thresholds:
WTI price (average per barrel)
Outcome
Fuel tax rate
$90 or more
Fuel tax collection paused
0 cents/litre
$85 to $89.99
Fuel tax reinstated partially
4.5 cents/litre
$80 to $84.99
Fuel tax reinstated partially
9 cents/litre
$79.99 or less
Fuel tax reinstated in full
13 cents/litre
The WTI price average is based on the 20 trading days of price data leading up to the 15th of the month preceding the start of the next quarter.
When reinstating the tax, the program limits the increase in tax from one quarter to the next to nine cents per litre to reduce price shock to consumers.
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.
Premier Danielle Smith has named the new Alberta cabinet, a team dedicated to building on a solid foundation of stability, informed decision-making and good governance.
The 25 members of cabinet, a decrease from the previous 27, includes a mix of experienced and new ministers who represent Alberta’s diversity. As a team, they will govern for all Albertans and work to ensure Alberta realizes its full potential.
Alberta’s cabinet will be made up of the following ministers:
Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Relations – Danielle Smith
Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services – Mike Ellis
Minister of Advanced Education – Rajan Sawhney
Minister of Affordability and Utilities and Vice-chair of Treasury Board – Nathan Neudorf
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation – RJ Sigurdson
Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women – Tanya Fir
Minister of Children and Family Services – Searle Turton
Minister of Education – Demetrios Nicolaides
Minister of Energy and Minerals – Brian Jean
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas – Rebecca Schulz
Ministry of Forestry and Parks – Todd Loewen
Minister of Health – Adriana LaGrange
Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism – Muhammad Yaseen
Minister of Indigenous Relations – Rick Wilson
Minister of Infrastructure – Pete Guthrie
Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade – Matt Jones
Minister of Justice – Mickey Amery
Minister of Mental Health and Addiction – Dan Williams
Minister of Municipal Affairs – Ric McIver
Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services – Jason Nixon
Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction – Dale Nally
Minister of Technology and Innovation – Nate Glubish
Minister of Tourism and Sport – Joseph Schow
Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors – Devin Dreeshen
President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance – Nate Horner
Cabinet members will work collaboratively to accomplish the work that Albertans voted for, including continuing to grow and diversify the economy, keeping life affordable, reforming the health care system, tackling crime, providing help for those struggling and defending Alberta’s interests.
“I am so pleased to have this team working with me to deliver on the promises we made to Albertans during the election. These are not just our government’s priorities, they are Albertans’ priorities. The next four years start today, and I can’t wait to get back to work with each of my cabinet colleagues.”
Danielle Smith, Premier
Caucus leadership positions will include:
Chief whip – Shane Getson
House leader – Joseph Schow
Treasury Board members will include:
Nate Horner (president)
Nathan Neudorf (vice-chair)
Andrew Boitchenko
Devin Dreeshen
Mike Ellis
Brian Jean
Dale Nally
Rajan Sawhney
Rebecca Schulz
Cabinet policy committees will be chaired by:
Alberta First – Garth Rowswell
Building Communities – Martin Long
Economic Diversification – Jackie Lovely
Public Safety and Wellness – Scott Sinclair
Cabinet members were sworn in on the morning of June 9 and will begin receiving briefings from their departments.
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.
With the wildfire situation continuing to improve, Alberta’s provincial state of emergency is expiring but all resourcing and support remains in place.
Although the wildfire situation remains serious in the northern areas of the province, the extraordinary powers of the Emergency Management Act are no longer required to ensure emergency responders and wildfire firefighters continue keeping Albertans and their properties safe. These efforts will especially continue in the Fort Chipewyan area and other communities where residents remain evacuated.
“Wildfires are still burning in many parts of northern Alberta, and hundreds of people are still away from their homes. Although the provincial state of emergency is expiring, we will continue to use all of our resources to fight these fires and protect communities. No community will be left behind, and all the resources of the provincial government will continue to be available to those who need it.”
Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services
Alberta is working closely with local authorities and other agencies to ensure the province has the firefighting resources needed for the rest of the wildfire season.
Albertans who have been evacuated or are returning home should continue to follow updates from their local authorities. Information is also available at Alberta.ca/emergency or by calling 310-4455 any time of the day or night. Evacuees should still register at a local reception centre or at emergencyregistration.alberta.ca. Situation reports will continue to be distributed daily to the public and media.
To help prevent more wildfires from starting, Albertans should check Albertafirebans.ca and abide by any bans or restrictions in their area.
June 3 is also the final day that the Government of Alberta and Government of Canada will match donations to the Red Cross 2023 Alberta Fires Appeal. Every $1 donated to the Red Cross appeal will become $3 to support those affected by the wildfires.
Quick facts
A provincial state of emergency in Alberta automatically expires after 28 days. The May 2023 wildfires state of emergency expires on June 3, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
Under the Emergency Management Act, declaring a provincial state of emergency is a legal mechanism providing access to emergency discretionary funds and triggering intergovernmental protocols for collaboration.
The Alberta Emergency Management Agency leads the coordination and cooperation of all organizations involved in emergencies and disasters in the province and oversees all emergency and disaster prevention, preparedness and responses.
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.
