Moving Alberta forward

A message from Premier Ed Stelmach

One of the key roles for government is to have an orderly and well thought-out plan in place for the province’s development. Ensuring we plan for growth - and stay ahead of the curve - has been one of my top priorities since I became Premier.

To prepare for the future and move Alberta forward, we’ve developed the Energy Strategy, the provincial Land-use Framework and a 20-year capital plan. We’re working on completing the ring-road systems in Calgary and Edmonton, strengthening Alberta’s provincial highways, and investing in world-class health care facilities, long-term care, and in our schools, colleges and universities.

We’re also moving forward on the need for upgrades to the province’s electricity transmission system. During the spring session of the Alberta Legislature that ended on June 3, we introduced proposed legislation that gives the Government of Alberta the responsibility for identifying which transmission infrastructure is needed. This means government will be responsible for which and when transmission lines are constructed, just like it is for other public infrastructure. This will help ensure the timely construction for the delivery of power that Albertans need at home and at work.

Ensuring we have the necessary infrastructure in place is important, not only for our economic success and prosperity, but it is fundamental to our high quality of life.

Recycle your milk containers

As of June 1, Albertans can now return milk and liquid cream containers to a bottle depot for a refund.

The fully refundable deposit fee for milk containers matches the deposit on similar-sized containers already part of the deposit program. For milk or liquid cream containers one litre and under, the deposit will be 10 cents. The deposit for containers over one litre will be 25 cents.

Only marked milk and liquid cream containers identified by "AB DEPOSIT" will be eligible for refund. Unmarked containers bought before June 1 are not eligible for a refund, and should be recycled through local municipal recycling programs.

More than two billion beverage containers are sold in Alberta each year, but about 500 million of those containers are not recycled. The Government of Alberta’s goal, as part of the Too Good to Waste strategy, is to increase beverage recycling rates to 85 per cent or higher, up from the current rate of 76 per cent.

Read questions and answers about the change

Alberta government protects payday loan consumers

Payday loan companies will have to follow new rules limiting borrowing costs, banning rollover loans and giving borrowers a cooling-off period under a consumer protection regulation introduced by the Alberta government.

The new regulation sets the maximum total cost of borrowing at $23 per $100 borrowed, including interest and any fees charged as a condition of the loan. The amount requires federal approval before it comes into effect.

Read about the specific protections for consumers

Volunteer wildlife ambassadors active in Kananaskis Country

Thirty-seven volunteers from Calgary, Bragg Creek, Millarville and Cochrane will be in Kananaskis Country this summer helping to educate visitors about wildlife safety.

The volunteers are part of the Wildlife Ambassador Program. They will use replica claws, photographs, maps, and up-to-date information as they walk trails and set up tables at trailheads to speak with the public about safety for people and wild animals.

The program encourages Albertans and visitors to connect with nature in a positive and proactive way. It is a community-driven education initiative that promotes responsible land use, wildlife safety and ethics, in Kananaskis Country and surrounding communities. Over the last two summers, Wildlife Ambassadors in the Bow Valley spoke to nearly 6000 people about living safely with wildlife.

Learn more about wildlife management

Gearing up for Arts Days 2009

Through the unified voice of a school choir, the imaginative brush stroke of an artist, or the rhythmic storytelling of Aboriginal drums – Alberta Arts Days, September 18-20, celebrates local arts and culture! This is an opportunity for all Albertans to discover their inner artist and celebrate the talents of others.

At five major celebration sites, including Keyano College in Fort McMurray, the Myer Horowitz Theatre in Edmonton, the Fine Arts Multi Media Centre in Olds, the EPCOR Centre in Calgary, the Esplanade in Medicine Hat – and in communities across Alberta – individuals, families, artists, and arts and cultural organizations will show their community spirit.

Learn more about how you can be involved in Arts Days