Keeping a close eye on the province’s financial situation

A message from Premier Ed Stelmach

Earlier this week, we released the Government of Alberta’s annual report, which includes achievement on government’s goals as well as updates on our financial situation.

While Alberta continues to fare better than many other jurisdictions during these difficult economic times, we need to continue to take measures to ensure continued strength. We’ve also begun talking with stakeholders about the fiscal correction that we need to make in next year’s budget.

A key to making smart choices is better planning. We are considering every project in regard to how one impacts another and the area around it. We're moving ahead with a province-wide land-use framework and regional land use plans, cumulative effects environmental management, (which considers all the impacts of deveopment on a region's land, air and water), and the Capital Region Planning Board. We have a 20-year strategic plan for long-term oil sands development and the Provincial Energy Strategy. A key part of both is showing real leadership in protecting the environment, particularly with regard to climate change.

While there have been some encouraging signs of recovery from the world-wide economic turmoil lately, there are still challenges to overcome. As a government we continue to review all of our operations, looking for efficiencies and improvements in service delivery.

Read more about government’s annual report

Balancing energy development with environmental protection

The Government of Alberta has awarded $1.5 million to the School of Energy and the Environment at the University of Alberta to support oil sands reclamation research. This research is aimed at balancing energy development with environmental protection.

The recently established Oil Sands Research and Information Network (OSRIN) will use the grant to conduct comprehensive reclamation related research. OSRIN will help provide industry with the scientific foundation for the best environmental management practices in the oil sands.

More information on how the funding will be used

Province continues fight on gangs

At the end of last month, Calgary played host to the Alberta Gang Crime Summit, aimed at combating gangs and organized crime.

During the summit, the Government of Alberta announced that it is adding more than 50 Sheriffs to integrated enforcement teams, and increasing support to community groups to address the root causes of gang activity.

As part of the province’s long-term crime reduction strategy, Alberta has enhanced the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) by seconding 51 Alberta Sheriffs. The units include the Fugitive Apprehension Sheriffs Support Team (FASST); the Safer Communities and Neighbourhood (SCAN) units; and the Sheriffs Investigative Support Unit (SISU).

Read more about Alberta projects to combat crime

Premier’s Council will help define Alberta’s future

Twelve newly appointed members to the Premier’s Council for Economic Strategy will consider long-term goals for Alberta and provide advice on actions the Alberta government can take to best position the province for the future. The council will be chaired by former federal minister, the Honourable David Emerson.

The council will meet with government, experts, Albertans and others beyond Alberta to develop ideas to ensure Alberta's continued prosperity and quality of life over the next three decades. The council will be an ‘ideas incubator’ that will consider the unique challenges and opportunities facing Alberta. It will look at strategies that have worked in other places, in Canada and throughout the world and for made-in-Alberta strategies that can be pioneered here.

Learn about the council members and their specific tasks