Every Kid Can Play with Alberta investment

Every Kid Can Play with Alberta investment

Alberta’s government is investing $8 million to help make sport, physical activity and recreation more accessible through the new Every Kid Can Play program.

The Every Kid Can Play program is designed to help more Alberta children and youth access sport, physical activity and recreation. The program will provide subsidies for program registration costs to Alberta families that are struggling financially thanks to a partnership between Alberta’s government and KidSport.

“Sport and physical activity are important to Albertans’ physical and mental health. Alberta families should be able to easily access affordable sport, physical activity and recreation programming within their communities. I am proud of the opportunities this funding will provide by easing the burden on families struggling with inflation and to ensure that children in Alberta can better access affordable sport and physical activities.”

Jason Luan, Minister of Culture

“Every Kid Can Play is another way our government is supporting Alberta families struggling with rising costs that are affecting how and if their kids can participate in activities. We’re committing to reducing barriers to sports, artistic and recreational activities so that children aren’t the ones paying the price of inflation.”

Mickey Amery, Minister of Children’s Services
Watch the announcement.

The Every Kid Can Play program is expected to provide direct financial support to more than 8,500 children and youths to subsidize sport and recreation program registration costs, and support as many as 200 child and youth-focused community-level programs throughout Alberta.

KidSport will distribute up to $350 per child registration to eligible families to assist with program costs and other applicable fees for sport programs. Parents can apply for funding in June through KidSport Alberta.

This program will also provide financial support to community-based organizations that provide programming for Alberta’s kids and youth to participate in sport, physical activity and recreation.

“This funding will provide life-changing opportunities for countless kids, helping to ensure that every child has the chance to experience the benefits of physical activity and the joy of playing sport regardless of their financial situation. At KidSport, we believe that sport has the power to transform lives, and this investment will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many low-income children across the province.”

Kelly Oehlerking, executive director, KidSport Alberta

“YMCA Calgary is committed to building happy and healthy communities. The funding from the Government of Alberta will help organizations like YMCA Calgary ensure that children and youth, regardless of their family’s financial situation, are not turned away from opportunities to access physical recreation, programming and sport.”

Shannon Doram, President & CEO, YMCA Calgary

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.

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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.

Agri-processing Investment Tax Credit applications open

Agri-processing Investment Tax Credit applications open

Alberta is now accepting applications for the new Agri-processing Investment Tax Credit program. 

The program offers a 12 per cent non-refundable tax credit based on eligible capital expenditures to corporations investing $10 million or more to build or expand agri-processing facilities in the province.

“Alberta’s new Agri-processing Investment Tax Credit program is an incredible opportunity that will diversify our economy and help eligible corporations from across North America and the world expand their operations, save money and grow their agri-processing business here in Alberta.”

Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

With a strong primary agriculture sector, competitive tax system and commitment to reducing economic barriers, Alberta is the ideal location for businesses looking to expand and thrive in the agri-processing sector.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, companies must be incorporated, registered or continued under Alberta’s Business Corporations Act, with the proposed investment plan having a minimum of $10 million in new capital expenditures.

The project must also be physically located in Alberta, be a new project or a significant expansion of an existing value-added agricultural processing facility, and project expenditures must directly support an eligible value-added agricultural activity.

Corporations with other provincial funding sources may also be eligible for the tax credit.

How to apply

Applicants must apply for conditional approval for the tax credit program by filling an online application form and submitting a proposed investment plan and Class 4 engineering estimate.

For more information on the program, interested parties can email APITC@gov.ab.ca.

Related information

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.

Eid Mubarak to Muslims of Red Deer-North

Eid Mubarak to Muslims of Red Deer-North

Eid Mubarak to all those ending their fast today!

As Ramadan comes to an end for Muslims in Red Deer-North and beyond, we hope you have a wonderful celebration feast that is filled with joy and laughter.

All Albertans are encouraged to reflect on the many contributions that Canadian Muslims have made to our province and extend best wishes for a peaceful Eid al-Fitr.

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.

Providing better housing for Albertans in need

Funding of $2.1 million will freshen up housing and shelter spaces provided to individuals and families in need. 

Women’s shelters, homeless shelters and private non-profit housing providers offer essential supports to thousands of Albertans. It is important to ensure the housing they provide is kept in good repair.

Through the Canada-Alberta Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy and Alberta’s Capital Maintenance and Renewal Program, 18 organizations will receive a combined $2.1 million to support better housing through renovations and upgrades. Upgrades include replacing windows, roofing and siding, updating heating and ventilation systems, updating suites with new flooring and cabinetry, and performing other maintenance to ensure the buildings are safe and maintained.

“As Albertans find a place to call home, it is important to ensure it is a safe place and somewhere they can take pride in. Whether it be a shelter or affordable housing, our government is glad to be investing these funds, which will improve the quality of life for so many Albertans for years to come.”

Jeremy Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

“Shelters and affordable housing play a crucial role in the road to recovery for vulnerable Albertans. This announcement will help renovate shelter spaces, maintain existing homes, and ensure continued access to essential services for Albertans. Thank you to the front-line workers and organizations that help those in need. Our government will continue to support you and the critical services you deliver across the province.”

Randy Boissonnault, federal Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance and MP for Edmonton Centre

“We are grateful for the provincial government’s support of $28,500 towards capital improvements at our Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter facility. This funding will allow us to further enhance the safety and comfort of women and children who are fleeing dangerous and abusive situations in our community.”

Kim Ruse, CEO, FearIsNotLove

“Hope Mission is grateful to the provincial government for the capital maintenance renewal funds of $254,000. This will go towards renovating our women’s washrooms to create a safer environment that best meets the needs of vulnerable women in our community.”

Bruce Reith, executive director, Hope Mission

“This funding greatly benefited Accessible Housing’s Inclusio residence. Inclusio is the first and only multi-unit residential building in Canada to receive Rick Hansen Foundation Gold Certification level for high standards of accessibility. Funding for capital improvement projects allows us to continue to help those living with limited mobility.”

Teneille Bradley, executive director, Accessible Housing

Approved projects

Calgary

  • Elder Statesmen Group: $215,000
  • L’Arche Association of Calgary: $12,000
  • Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society: $27,000
  • Brenda Strafford Foundation: $151,300
  • FearIsNotLove Society: $28,500
  • Accessible Housing Calgary: $37,800

Edmonton

  • E4C: $490,000
  • Hope Mission: $254,000
  • Operation Friendship: $20,600
  • Urban Manor Housing Society: $17,500
  • Right at Home Housing Society: $106,000
  • Wings of Providence: $90,000

Rest of Alberta

  • Central Alberta Women’s Outreach Society (Red Deer): $50,400
  • Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society: $336,300
  • Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter Society: $64,000
  • Safe Haven Women’s Shelter Society (Taber): $45,000
  • Wapiti Dorm Society (Grande Prairie): $130,000
  • Salvation Army (Fort McMurray): $29,000

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.

Quick facts

  • Capital Plan 2023 allocates more than $468 million to the Alberta Social Housing Corporation over three years to provide 6,900 new and regenerated affordable housing units and support 3,300 jobs.
  • The Government of Canada’s National Housing Strategy is an ambitious, 10-year plan that will invest more than $82 billion to give more Canadians a place to call home.
  • The Government of Canada, through CMHC, works with its provincial and territorial partners to reduce the number of Canadians in need by improving access to affordable housing.

Related information

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.

Emissions Reduction and Energy Development

Emissions Reduction and Energy Development

Alberta’s new Emissions Reduction and Energy Development (ERED) Plan charts Alberta’s course for cutting emissions, attracting investment and growing the economy. 

Albertans have been stewards of one of Canada’s largest economic engines, the oil and gas sector. For decades, Albertans have stepped up to deliver responsible, ethically produced energy, helping mitigate global energy crises and leading in technology innovation to reduce emissions.

The ERED Plan is Alberta’s path forward to net-zero aspirations by 2050 while maintaining affordable, reliable and secure energy for Albertans. The plan affirms that responsibly produced oil and gas will continue to be a fundamental part of the global energy mix in the coming decades while sending a clear signal to the world that Alberta is the place to invest.

“Our made-in-Alberta plan to reduce emissions while growing the economy is a plan that works for Albertans. This could never be a one-size-fits-all model passed on by the federal government. I’m so proud of the work that has been done to bring this forward. Alberta can, and will, be a part of the solution to safeguard North American and global energy security. We can make real progress on environmental protection without sacrificing Alberta’s and Canada’s economic engine.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

Cutting emissions should not make life harder and more expensive. Actions in the ERED Plan like modernizing the electricity system, integrating new technology and supporting natural gas-fired generation will help keep energy reliable, safe and affordable for Albertans. 

In February, Premier Danielle Smith sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, informing the federal government that a made-in-Alberta plan was on the way. Alberta’s government is calling on the federal government to stop setting unrealistic, unachievable targets, to stay in their lane and work with the provinces without interfering in provincial jurisdiction. Families need to keep the lights on, buy groceries and have enough gas in their car to get their kids to soccer practice without carrying the burden of expensive government climate policies.

Former premier Ralph Klein took the first step by putting out the first such plan in 1998. Since then, decades of hard work from the men and women who make their living in Alberta’s industries have led to today. The plan Alberta’s government is unveiling salutes the work done by Albertans over decades, culminating in a significant focus over the last four years, and charts the province’s next steps. More work is yet to be done. 

“Alberta’s plan forward to reduce emissions while growing economic activity sets a course of success for our province. The conversation about emissions reduction must include energy security, affordability and reliability. This plan does exactly that.”

Sonya Savage, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

Alberta’s ERED Plan outlines investment and partnership opportunities, including ways to better support Alberta’s skilled workforce, strengthen relationships with Indigenous organizations and communities, and collaborate with industry. By driving emissions reductions in all sectors through clean technology and innovative solutions, Alberta’s plan protects and diversifies jobs and keeps money in the pockets of hard-working Albertans.

“Alberta will make an outsized contribution to Canada and the rest of the world by developing low-cost technologies towards successful decarbonization. Given Alberta’s ingenuity and energy expertise, it is in the best position to support Canada’s aim to achieve net-zero emissions in 2050.”

Jack Mintz, president’s fellow, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary

“Alberta has demonstrated tremendous leadership in economic reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples by creating opportunities for Indigenous communities to participate in projects that will drive tangible economic benefits and prosperity for generations to come.”

Chana Martineau, CEO, Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation

The ERED Plan outlines actions and opportunities across Alberta’s environment and economy, from oil and gas to agriculture and waste management. A summary of actions is available on the ERED Plan website.

As part of Alberta’s work to address the rising cost of living due to inflation, the ERED Plan includes a commitment to explore building codes, labelling and building benchmarking, balancing informed consumer choice with property right considerations, and exploring and growing innovation and technology for homes like new building materials and heat pumps.

“The Pathways Alliance is encouraged by the Government of Alberta’s plan to reduce emissions and achieve net zero while ensuring industry can compete globally, attract investment and continue to provide economic growth and prosperity for Albertans and Canadians.”

Kendall Dilling, president, Pathways Alliance

“Alberta’s Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan presents evidence that Alberta does not require overlapping federal regulation to do what is necessary to meet net zero by 2050 goals. The plan’s net zero by 2050 aspiration is the statement that investors and analysts have been looking for as the overarching signal of commitment to emissions reductions action.”

Gary Mar, president and CEO, Canada West Foundation

Quick facts

  • Alberta was the first jurisdiction in Canada to establish a climate plan in 1998.
  • Alberta was the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce an industrial carbon price and emissions trading system in 2007.
  • Alberta was the first government in Canada to set a methane emissions reduction target for the oil and gas sector and is on track to meet and exceed its 2025 methane emissions reduction goal.
  • Alberta is expected to transition from coal-fired electricity in 2023, seven years ahead of provincial and federal targets.
  • The Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Regulation, Alberta’s industrial carbon pricing system, is at the core of emissions management in Alberta.
  • From 2009 to 2021, $2.5 billion from industrial carbon pricing funds were invested in programs that support emissions reductions and climate resiliency.
  • Alberta is recognized as a leader in developing carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology, committing more than $1.8 billion to support CCUS projects to date.

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