Alberta's climate change strategy

Message from Premier Ed Stelmach

Albertans have the good fortune to live in a dynamic and prosperous province, with clean water, clear air, and healthy, productive land. The province’s natural beauty and strong economy contribute to a high quality of life for all Albertans. Around the globe, finding the right balance between development and conservation is a great challenge.

We’re setting our own course and have recently released Alberta's Climate Change Strategy.

Alberta is taking action and the province is already seeing emissions reductions. Effective July 1, 2007, Alberta facilities that emit more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year were required to reduce emissions intensity by 12 percent. Alberta’s new climate change plan will deliver a 50-percent reduction in projected emissions by 2050. That’s equivalent to taking 40-million cars off the road.

Our plan ensures environmental protection while allowing for continued economic growth. It is practical and achievable. It encourages innovation, and sets realistic goals for industry.

Read more about Alberta's climate change plan

Alberta begins implementing 20-year strategic plan for infrastructure

Alberta’s 20-Year Strategic Capital Plan sets clear directions for infrastructure based on demographic and economic forecasts, the need for capital maintenance and renewal, and budget considerations. It also makes a clear commitment to environmentally friendly design and building practices.

This 20-year plan anticipates the need to invest, on average, $6 billion per year to meet short and medium-term objectives.

The government is already implementing the long-term capital plan by adding more than 600 long-term care beds, 14 new schools and maintenance funding for post-secondary institutions.

Read more about Alberta’s long-term capital plan

The road to the 2010 Olympics travels through Alberta

Alberta and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) have signed an accord that lays out Alberta’s role leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver-Whistler. The accord outlines Alberta’s actions in three areas — sport, tourism and culture.

Some of Alberta’s actions outlined in the accord include establishing a committee of volunteers and an ‘Alberta House’ for the Games, and providing Canadian athletes priority access to Olympic venues in Alberta for training. The province will also promote Alberta’s literary, visual and performing artists before and during the Games.

Read more about the accord

Culture takes centre stage in Alberta

Alberta's culture has been put in the spotlight with a new policy that focuses on ensuring that all Albertans have access to culture in their communities, and that our artists and cultural industries can thrive.

The Spirit of Alberta - Alberta’s Cultural Policy, recognizes culture in the broad sense, which includes the arts, heritage, the natural environment and recreation.

Read the details of Alberta's cultural policy

Provincial lands freed up for community projects

Provincial land will be freed up for housing that is affordable for families and seniors, and vacant school sites may be used for other much-needed community services such as libraries and fire halls thanks to new provincial initiatives.

As early as this spring, crown land and surplus provincial lands may be sold to municipalities and not‑for‑profit groups for a nominal sum, as recommended in the recent Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force Report.