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.
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.
Changes to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) will make it easier for in-demand workers and entrepreneurs to become permanent residents.
Alberta’s government is making five improvements to the AAIP that will help both businesses and international skilled workers.
“Alberta is a land of opportunity. In our province, you can find the career you want, take home a strong and regular paycheque, and still spend time with family and friends,” said Premier Danielle Smith. “Not only do people around the world want to come here, we want them to come here to be a part of our communities and our prosperity, and help Alberta continue to grow and succeed.”
AAIP is an economic immigration program that enables Alberta to nominate qualified workers in in-demand sectors for permanent residency. By improving the program, Alberta will be more competitive in attracting skilled newcomers from across the world.
Watch the press conference.
The first changes come in the form of enhancements to the Rural Entrepreneur and Rural Renewal streams. A lowered investment threshold of $100,000 for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream will open the door to additional qualified entrepreneurs who wish to establish or purchase an existing business in participating rural Alberta communities. Removing the requirement for a letter from a settlement agency under the Rural Renewal Stream will help rural communities attract, recruit and welcome newcomers based on local needs.
“Bringing more workers needed in the province will be key to continuing to grow Alberta’s economy and meeting our labour shortages,” said Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism Rajan Sawhney.
“These changes to AAIP show our commitment to making Alberta one of the best places in the world to put down roots, contribute positively to your community and be prosperous.”
Other changes will help alleviate pressures on the health care system. A new, dedicated pathway to attract medical professionals to Alberta means up to 30 per cent of Alberta’s Express Entry Stream allocation in 2023 will be reserved for health-care professionals with an Alberta job offer from a health-care sector employer and who meet the requirements to work in one of the eligible health occupations.
Two more changes will see a new phone line that directly connects AAIP staff members with clients and collaboration with the federal Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. Participating in this pilot will help refugees with the skills and qualifications needed in Canada to immigrate through existing economic programs.
Quick facts
Alberta currently has about 100,000 job openings across the province.
Alberta is forecasting a cumulative job shortage of 33,100 workers by 2025 across several occupations, skill levels and sectors (source: Alberta’s Occupational Outlook, 2021-2030).
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada sets AAIP’s annual nomination limits.
Alberta recently received an increase in nominations:
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.
Agriculture sustainability will be supported through the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
In Alberta, the partnership represents $508 million in funding over five years that will provide grants to programs that support the needs of Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food sector.
Alberta’s programs will aim to create new jobs and spur growth in the agriculture sector by supporting added processing competitiveness, attracting new investment and expanding irrigation capacity that will boost crop production.
“The new Sustainable CAP provides flexibility to deliver programs that will help producers grow their business and improve productivity while addressing the unique challenges of farming in Alberta. Alberta’s producers are among the best in the world when it comes to sustainable practices, and we will continue to support their efforts to feed the world while protecting the environment for generations to come.”
– Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
“The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is an ambitious way forward while we collaborate to ensure economic, environmental and social success for the sector. This historic investment will help producers and processors in Alberta to innovate, to grow, to prosper and to be competitive.”
Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The programs will also continue protecting plant and animal health and animal welfare, managing risks to Alberta’s natural resources and investing in producer-led agriculture research.
Producers also have access to an enhanced suite of business risk management programs to help them manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farms and are beyond their capacity to manage.
In total, the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
Compared with the current partnership, which expires at the end of the month, there is a $500-million increase in cost-shared funding. Half of this additional funding will help develop and implement the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, which will support carbon sequestration, and protect grasslands and wetlands on agricultural lands.
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership comes into effect April 1 and replaces the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP).
Quick facts
Sustainable CAP represents the fifth pan-Canadian agreement on agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products policy. It replaces CAP (2018-2023), Growing Forward 2 (2013-2018), Growing Forward (2008-2013) and the Agriculture Policy Framework (2003-2008).
On March 6, the federal government announced that applications are being accepted for federal programs under Sustainable CAP that will take effect on April 1.
The Sustainable CAP framework provides flexibility for Alberta to develop and deliver programs that are aligned with the needs of Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food sector and Government of Alberta priorities. Programs will align with five priority areas:
building sector capacity, growth and competitiveness
climate change and environmental protection
science, research and innovation
market development and trade
resiliency and public trust
Learn more on the Government of Alberta website here.
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.
Adoption in Alberta is becoming more affordable with an additional $4 million in funding per year.
Budget 2023 outlines an increase in subsidies, tax breaks and benefits over the next three years to make adoption less arduous for families.
“If a child can find a loving and stable home sooner – that’s good news for everyone, and most importantly, for the child,” said Mickey Amery, minister of children’s services in a release. “That is why we want to help reduce adoption expenses, so that more children can find their forever families.”
The number of approved adoptive families for children in government care has dropped by more than half. There are typically about 100 approved families at any given time, but there are only about 30 currently. A total of 27 children and youth are waiting to be matched with a loving, permanent home. Most of these children are over seven years old, have special needs, or are part of a sibling group.
The funding comes under the Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2023. If passed, the $4-million package will cover the cost of dental, vision and other supplemental health benefits for children adopted in the province. This applies to all adoptions, regardless of where a child was adopted. Alberta will become the first and only province to do this.
This support would go into effect this fall.
The provincial adoption expenses tax credit would also be increased by $4,000. The $18,210 amount matches the federal tax credit, and can be claimed retroactively to Jan. 1. The credit will be available to Albertans when they file their 2023 taxes in 2024.
“Adoption shouldn’t create a financial burden for parents starting or growing their families. These new measures will make it easier for a child who needs a home to become part of a family,” said President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Travis Toews.
About 5,000 adopted children in Alberta who have already found their forever family and future adopted children will be eligible for these benefits.
If the legislation passes, the cost of private adoption through licensed adoption agencies in Alberta will be subsidized by $6,000 for families that earn less than $180,000. The subsidy would help reduce the cost of adoption by 40 to 50 per cent.
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 population grew in the fourth quarter of 2022-2023.
More than 4.6 million people live in the province. According to Statistics Canada, just over 160,000 new people made Alberta their home last year. Between Oct, 1 and Dec. 31, 2022, the population grew by 45,864, or one per cent – the highest in the country. This includes 29,680 international migrants and 11,534 interprovincial migrants.
Alberta’s government attributes this largely to affordability in the province.
“Alberta’s allure is not hard to see,” said Minister of Finance Travis Toews in a statement.
“Our lower cost of living, affordable housing, abundant jobs, higher earnings and lower taxes are attracting newcomers from all over the country and abroad. Combined with our commitment to fiscal responsibility, job creation and investment attraction, we know that Alberta will remain the economic engine of Canada.”
Alberta’s population growth is also being attributed by a campaign to attract skilled workers to the province. Two-thirds of the net interprovincial migration occurred after the campaign launch in August.
“Alberta is calling – and many are answering the call. Our province continues to welcome people to experience the Renewed Alberta Advantage – being part of a highly skilled workforce with an affordable, exceptional lifestyle,” said Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development.
“Thanks to Alberta’s growing population, employers are making progress towards filling vacant full-time positions as workers migrate to Alberta to find good-paying jobs with higher wages than the rest of the country.”
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.
Education funding is increasing to accomodate an expected increase in student enrolment in September 2023.
Over the next three years, the operating expense for Education is increasing by nearly $2 billion. This will go towards the hiring of approximately 3,000 education staff including teachers, educational assistants, bus drivers, and support staff.
A total of $820 million, outlined in Budget 2023, will go towards supporting enrolment growth over the same time period.
“With Alberta’s rising population, we know many school authorities across the province continue to face growing enrolment pressures,” said Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange. “Our strong funding commitment in Budget 2023 will empower school authorities to hire more teachers and obtain more resources for students.”
Watch the Press Conference
Funding increases for enrolment will be provided through existing grants with enrolment components. Such grants include the Early Childhood Services and Grades 1-9 Base Instruction grant, and the High School (Grades 10-12) Base Instruction grant. It also includes services and supports grants such as Specialized Learning Support, English as an Additional Language, and Program Unit Funding, as well as the Operations and Maintenance grant.
The Funding Manual for School Authorities 2023/23 School Year were released on March 9, providing school authorities with funding information for the coming year.
“ASBA is pleased that government has been responsive to school boards’ requests for early release of the funding manual and operational funding profiles, as it assists in informed decision-making,” said Alberta School Boards Association President Marilyn Dennis. “Government’s investment in enrolment growth is welcome news as boards address the growing, diverse and complex students needs within their divisions while remaining accountable to their communities.”
The province says the supplemental enrolment growth grant that provided school authorities with more than $21 million in additional funding will continue to be available in the 2023-24 year.
In both 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years, school boards were funded for about 730,000 students, where attendance was 705,000 and 716,000, respectively.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
Anyone looking to send comments directly to the Minister of Education is asked to contact the Office of the Minister of Education at education.minister@gov.ab.ca or (780)427-5010.
Bill 8, the Alberta Firearms Act has been introduced by the provincial government.
If passed, the bill will strengthen the province’s ability to regulate, administer, and advocate on behalf of firearms owners. It will also clarify the role of Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) and require them to issue an annual report to enhance public accountability.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General Tyler Shandro says the act will be the most comprehensive provincial firearms framework in the Canada.
“By establishing in legislation the role of Alberta Chief Firearms Officer, this legislation will elevate the responsibilities and legal mandate of the office to the fullest extent of the law,” he said in a statement.
“Alberta stands unequivocally with hunters, farmers, sport shooters, and Indigenous peoples, all of whom understand the importance of responsible firearm ownership to Alberta’s heritage and culture.”
The Alberta Firearms Act builds on Bill 211, Municipal Government (Firearms) Amendment Act 2020, which prevents municipalities from passing firearms bylaws unless authorized by the province.
The act also introduces the ability to make regulations that would allow for licensing of seizure agents and develop a Firearms Compensation Committee to set out expectations for owners to receive fair compensation.
Requirements will also be created for forensic and ballistic testing of confiscated firearms where necessary, as well as for municipalities and municipal police services to meet regulations before entering into firearms-related funding agreements with the Government of Canada.
“As the owner [of] one of over 650 firearms businesses in Alberta, I am happy to see the Alberta government stepping in and standing up for legal firearms owners,” said J.R. Cox of The Edge Group. “I believe an Alberta Firearms Act is a sorely needed piece of legislation to provide clarity on firearm use and ownership for our diverse community of hunters, farms, and sport shooters.”
There are 341,988 possession/acquisition licence holders in Alberta. Albertans own the second highest number of firearms classified as restricted or prohibited by the federal government.
An average of 30,000 Albertans complete mandatory firearms course training annually en route to obtaining their firearms licence. That number increased to 38,000 in 2021.
Both B.C. and Quebec have legislation the regulates firearms outside of wildlife and hunting, while Saskatchewan recently introduced legislation to regulate firearms.
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.
