Alberta’s government is working with the Alberta Council of Imams and the Al Rashid Mosque to explore opportunities for Islamic compliant, or halal, financing.
In 2022, Alberta’s government introduced a regulatory sandbox to offer businesses temporary relief from certain legislative and regulatory requirements, making it simpler for them to research and adapt their new products and services for the market.
Currently, many Muslims are unable to access traditional mortgage financing through regulated financial institutions, as paying or charging interest is prohibited under Islamic law. Halal financing provides mortgages to qualified homebuyers using fees and charges that resemble regular mortgage payments.
Alberta has the mechanisms in place to support the introduction of halal financing. Alberta’s regulatory sandbox could help introduce halal financing in an expedited way. It also creates the opportunity to ensure that required legislative changes would be compliant with Islamic law.
“As Premier, I’m truly blessed to be able to advocate on behalf of all communities. With Alberta’s innovative approach to enable halal mortgages, more people may be able to access mortgage lending services in this province. Making Alberta an easier place to practise and live by one’s faith is an important part of building a secure and inclusive Alberta for those from all around the world who dream of a better life.”
Danielle Smith, Premier
Applicants to the sandbox must meet rigorous entry requirements to ensure consumer protection. After being researched in the regulatory sandbox, the government would work towards introducing legislative amendments that would enable Alberta financial institutions to offer halal financing. This would make Alberta the first province to offer halal financing by a provincially regulated financial institution.
“We are pleased to have the mechanisms in place to support Albertans with new financial solutions such as the development of halal financing through exemptions available under the regulatory sandbox. By creating a flexible regulatory environment, we can attract new and innovative financial services into the province while also ensuring Alberta consumers are protected.”
Travis Toews, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance
“We are laying the foundation for Halal mortgages in Alberta so the Muslim community can easily own affordable housing in similar terms as regular mortgages. This initiative will allow our community greater opportunity for financing while respecting our Muslim faith.”
Omar Mahmoud, president, Edmonton Council of Imams (ECI)
Quick facts
The regulatory sandbox, operational since July 2022, is the first of its kind in Canada, giving Alberta yet another competitive advantage.
Regulatory sandboxes have been established throughout the world for various industries and sectors of the economy.
Each applicant to the regulatory sandbox must:
be physically present in Alberta
offer financial products or services
offer new and innovative products in Alberta
provide a sound and viable business plan
meet other terms, conditions or restrictions set out by the minister of Finance to ensure proper oversight
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.
Budget 2023 invests $9 million into a new reconciliation grant program for Indigenous communities and $15 million into building a safer province for Indigenous women.
Alberta’s government is committed to collaborating with Indigenous communities and walking the path of reconciliation together. Budget 2023 invests in Indigenous-led community solutions to affect meaningful change over time.
The Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative will provide grants of up to $100,000 to support cultural and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities in Alberta.
“Reconciliation is about working with Indigenous leaders and communities to address past harms and build a brighter future. Budget 2023’s investment supports Indigenous-led solutions with funding designed to meet the needs of communities. I look forward to the good that will come from these new grants.”
Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations
The economic stream of the Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative will provide capacity and opportunity development funding for community-owned projects or businesses. Funding is available for a range of business activities, including business plan development, environmental impact assessments, marketing plans and similar strategic initiatives necessary for long-term success.
Funding through the cultural stream will support traditional arts programs, language initiatives, research on oral histories and protocol items, and a range of projects that help revitalize language, culture and traditions.
A total of $3 million in grants will be available each year for three years through the Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative’s two funding streams.
“As an Indigenous Elder, I am heartened to see the steps being taken by the Government of Alberta towards reconciliation. It is through acknowledging and addressing the injustices of the past that we can move towards a more just and equitable future for all.”
Elder Charles Fox, Kainai Blood Tribe
To address the ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people, Budget 2023 invests $15 million over three years.
Of this, $3.5 million annually in grants will be available through the Community Support Fund. This grant initiative will support community projects that address violence and increase safety and economic security for Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
An additional $1.5 million each year will support the implementation of the Government of Alberta Roadmap on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, including the Premier’s Council on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, as well as the First Nations and Métis Women’s Councils on Economic Security.
“As a family member and part of the Premier’s Council, I am very hopeful that these funds will lead to implementation of the 113 calls to action. I truly appreciate the province of Alberta for recognizing the need to build safer and stronger Indigenous communities.”
Josie Nepinak, executive director, Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society
Reconciliation is a priority for Alberta’s government. As partners in reconciliation, we are listening to and working with Indigenous Peoples in Alberta to determine the best ways forward to a better future.
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.
Alberta’s government is building capacity in the publicly funded health care system to support thousands more surgeries and reduce wait times across the province.
Albertans want access to the highest quality of care where and when they need it. Having to get surgery can be a stressful time in a person’s life and waiting for it only adds to that stress and anxiety. Waiting longer than is medically recommended is something that Alberta’s government cannot accept.
Budget 2023 will boost surgery capacity over three years. By providing an $80-million increase to add 20,000 more surgeries in 2023-24, thousands more Albertans will get the surgeries they need sooner. The record funding for Alberta Health Services (AHS) will support their goal of performing 310,000 surgeries over the next 12 months.
“We are making the investments and changes in our health care system that Albertans need. The ability for Albertans to get the surgeries they need, more quickly and closer to home, is so important. I’m proud of the work that we’re doing in health care, and I’m so pleased with the good results that we’re seeing.”
Danielle Smith, Premier
The number of patients waiting longer for surgery than clinically recommended has dropped by 18 per cent since November 2022. As of March 27, 32,200 Albertans are waiting for surgery outside the clinically recommended time, down from 39,200 in November.
Alberta’s highly skilled surgeons are completing approximately 6,000 surgeries every week. When compared with 2019, 15 per cent more surgeries are being done now.
“Budget 2023 moves us one step closer to fulfilling our promise to Albertans. By providing thousands more publicly funded surgeries, patients can have better care throughout the province, and access the surgical care they need within the clinically recommended wait time.”
Jason Copping, Minister of Health
Alberta has the best front-line health care workers in the world, and Alberta’s government’s budget is putting the right supports in place to ensure Albertans get the care they need when and where they need it.
A new investment of $120 million over the next three years will expand and modernize operating rooms across the province, including in rural areas. This new funding will support operating room projects in Brooks, Calgary, Camrose, Crowsnest Pass, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Grande Prairie, Innisfail, Olds, Pincher Creek, Ponoka, Red Deer, St. Albert, Stettler and Taber.
“Expanding operating rooms across Alberta is a great step forward in creating additional surgery spaces, reducing surgery wait times and creating jobs for Albertans. As the minister in charge of the construction process for these projects, I am thrilled that more construction and related jobs will be created in the lead up to helping our health care system grow and thrive.”
Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Infrastructure
“This additional funding will directly support the work of our teams to implement the Alberta Surgical Initiative. AHS is laser-focused on improving access to surgeries and to reducing wait times, particularly for those Albertans waiting outside of clinically recommended timeframes. We appreciate the investment and know that it will help improve health outcomes for Albertans.”
Dr. John Cowell, official administrator, Alberta Health Services
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
Health’s 2023-24 Surgical Initiative Capital Program operating budget is $237 million – a $120-million increase from 2022-23.
Expansion projects will enlarge existing operating rooms by modifying the space around the operating room, such as the post anesthesia care unit, surgical scrub space, recovery space, surgical inpatient units, day surgery space, and soiled and sterile storage.
Budget 2023 boosts funding for additional surgeries over three years. AHS will spend $312 million to support a projected 310,000 surgeries in 2023-24, $316 million on surgeries in 2024-25 and $324 million in 2025-26.
An additional $105 million over three years has been set aside for medical device reprocessing upgrades, including $96 million in new funding that will provide upgrades in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, St. Albert and Westlock.
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.
Alberta’s government is investing $5 million to diversify the aviation industry and help position the province as Canada’s aviation hub.
Alberta’s aviation industry is growing, with recent investments or expansions from companies including De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd., WestJet, Condor, Lynx Air, Flair Airlines, and Porter Airlines. Because of this rapid growth, the aviation industry is experiencing challenges filling positions.
To help address critical labour shortages, Alberta’s government launched Alberta at Work and this funding is part of that initiative. The new funding will open seats in Elevate Aviation’s programs. Through this investment, Elevate Aviation will prepare more Albertans for high-demand jobs, including aircraft maintenance, ground crew, drone operations and air traffic control.
“Alberta is well-positioned to be Canada’s next aviation hub. By fostering the development of the infrastructure and workforce our province needs, we are opening the doors to the world. Elevate was an obvious partner to help Albertans to grow in their careers and to support the growth, diversity and vitality of the aviation industry in our province.”
Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development
“This partnership between Alberta’s government and Elevate Aviation will create more opportunities for Alberta’s women to grow in their careers and support the growth, diversity and vitality of the aviation industry in our province.”
Tanya Fir, parliamentary secretary for Status of Women
The Elevate Aviation Learning Centre has a successful track record of preparing women for a career in aviation through their nine-week Women’s Employment Skills Training (WEST) program and Elevate U skills training options. Elevate works closely with aviation and aerospace companies to help trainees secure employment and prepare for meaningful careers. The grant to Elevate Aviation will be open to all applicants but will focus on recruiting women and underrepresented groups for an aviation career.
“This funding is going to have a great impact on the future of the aviation and aerospace industry. Not only will it improve our ability to provide innovative training opportunities for today’s aviation workers, it will also support the future of the industry by promoting the aviation sector as an appealing and rewarding career choice for all genders and diverse groups.”
Kendra Kincade, president and CEO, Elevate Aviation
Alberta’s government is making strategic investments to enable further growth in the province’s aviation industry. Budget 2023 includes $30 million to support the Red Deer Regional Airport expansion. Support for community airports is also available through the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program which allocates $92.3 million in funding over three years. Alberta’s aviation infrastructure is growing to keep up with demand.
In addition to these infrastructure investments, Alberta’s government has invested $11 million over the next three years into training more workers for the aviation industry through Advanced Education. A total of $6 million will support Mount Royal University’s establishment of 120 seats over four years in their new bachelor of aviation management program; $4.5 million will be invested into $10,000 student bursaries; and a further $500,000 will support an aviation centre of excellence.
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
Alberta at Work is a $700 million multi-year investment to help Albertans develop new skills and grow their careers.
Elevate Aviation is an established not-for-profit training provider within the aviation industry that provides skills development and career exploration services for women at their training centres.
The grant term will start in 2022-2023 and end in 2024-2025.
Training courses delivered under the grant will help prepare trainees for work in aircraft maintenance, ground crew, drone operations and air traffic control.
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.
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have signed an agreement to collaborate on joint economic corridor projects to boost trade and economic growth.
The signing of a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will foster the development of new economic corridors across the three provinces. This groundbreaking partnership aims to bolster economic growth and collaboration while strengthening the region’s position as a key player in the global market.
Watch the press conference.
“Alberta is proud to partner with Saskatchewan and Manitoba, taking a leadership role in building new trade corridors that will help our provinces and our country. New nation-building projects need government cooperation and political will. We need to cut red tape. We need to get building things like we used to. We need to make good jobs and an affordable life a priority. We can start to show people that, yes, Canada is a place you can do business again.”
Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors
“The world needs what Saskatchewan has to offer. We rely on dependable, robust road, rail, air and port networks to ship our food, fuel and fertilizer across North America and around the globe.”
Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan Minister of Highways
“Manitoba’s unique gateway and hub initiatives cannot develop in isolation, that is why external cooperative partnerships will leverage our initiatives for success. With similar trade and transport access such as distance to markets, reliance on international ports and railway services, and similar commodity basis, Saskatchewan and Alberta are natural key partners to work with on improving trade enablement through transportation.”
Doyle Piwniuk, Manitoba Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
In its earliest days, Canada was united by nation-building economic projects such as the transcontinental railway, which tied the country together through improved travel and trade.
Over the last decade, regulatory uncertainty, anti-development policies and a lack of national leadership have cost provinces an opportunity to pursue projects that would have created thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in growth and investment.
The three provincial governments will work together to eliminate regulatory inefficiency and uncertainty to attract and develop nation-building projects. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will coordinate to identify and prioritize strategic infrastructure that will enhance trade and transportation between the provinces and around the world. Through this, new economic corridors will be built to support the movement of critical resources, energy and utility projects, and secure national supply chains.
Quick facts
The agreement will focus on enhancing critical infrastructure, improving the efficiency of interprovincial transportation networks and reducing regulatory hurdles. It will also identify opportunities to attract private sector investment and partner with Indigenous communities on economic corridor development.
Economic corridors link markets in and out of Alberta, supporting the province’s economic, social and environmental activity.
Economic corridors can involve a broad range of infrastructure, including transportation, energy, power, telecommunications and other utilities.
In addition to physical infrastructure, corridors include service markets and the coordination of regulations and policies across multiple jurisdictions and sectors.
According to Statistics Canada, Alberta exported more than $138 billion in goods in 2021.
This includes goods shipped by pipeline and other modes, such as road, rail, air and marine.
Non-pipeline exports of goods totalled more than $48 billion.
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors will work and proactively partner with Indigenous communities to plan economic corridors for mutual economic benefit.
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.
