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Friday, 03 September 2010 20:42 |
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by T. Lightfoot The latest fiscal forecast stands to build confidence, at least in Alberta Finance’s ability to hold fast to an earlier budget forecast. Alberta  Finance Minister Ted Morton released the 1st quarter fiscal up-date in the Alberta Legislature. In one sense, it’s a model of stability in a highly uncertain environment. The bold texts below are quotes from the government news release: “Alberta’s forecast deficit for 2010-11 is virtually unchanged from budget in the face of continued economic uncertainty, faltering markets, a rising Canadian dollar, lower natural gas prices and fluctuating oil prices.” The good news on projections is dampened by a return from the last deficit project of $1 billion to: “Deficit for 2010-11 is forecast at $4.76 billion, an increase of $7 million from budget.”  Morton reverted to the first budget projections for the fiscal year, except that revenues are up $602 million to $34.6 billion. Expenses are also up $609 million to $39.3 billion. The difference is $7 million, a minor miracle in forecasting. Morton attributes most of the expense increase to an increase in disaster and emergency funding: agriculture and rural development ($171 million), Municipal Affairs flood and wildfire assistance ($228 million), to Sustainable Resource Development for forest fires ($120 million) and combating Mountain Pine Beetles ($15 million). Disaster and Emergency fall into Covey’s category of “urgent and important.” So how much was forecast for DEA before? Under that column -- only hyphens. That doesn’t seem possible. Morton delivered the forecast well,  but refused to comment on a provincial sales tax, the burning question of the day, other than, “It’s a good idea to look at all the options.”Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald said the $11 billion remaining in savings was a good thing, envied by other provinces. But he added, seriously, he doesn’t want this savings fund to finance the Tories through the election. Wildrose Alliance leaderDanielle Smith cited a “waste of hundreds of millions and billions.” She would like to see “rules-based budgeting” establishing a fiscal framework. “You can’t keep blaming external factors.” She says the government doesn’t have a revenue problem, but a spending problem. “We stand by our original statement. It’s a train wreck.” NDP leader Brian Mason said revenues are a problem, calling the Alberta flat tax a tax on the  middle class, costing provincial coffers billions a year, and a huge benefit for the wealthy. He called revenues from gambling ($1.3 billion) “a tax on people who can’t afford to pay.” “While the province’s economy is on the mend, we continue to be affected by factors beyond our borders and our control - and that means we must continue to manage our finances prudently and stick to our plan to get the province back in the black by 2012-13.” Morton, a fiscal conservative, has led the highest expenses on record for Alberta. The deficit will be covered by the Sustainability Fund, an account that government built up with money from its past savings to help fund priority public programs and services even during difficult economic times. The fiscal up-date forecasts $11.2 billion in the fund, up about $1 billion from the budget forecast. The Sustainability fund, the Alberta Heritage Trust Fund, the Alberta pension fund and other public monies are invested by AimCo. This arms-length fund manager has a mandate to invest the funds for highest returns. At March 31, 2011, Net Assets are forecast to be $36 billion, essentially unchanged from budget and a decrease of $5.3 billion from March 31, 2010. Interestingly, most of AimCo’s real estate investments are in Ontario properties. Check out their website for that, and other interesting fiscal facts. |
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Friday, 27 August 2010 15:32 |
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Dear Editor, This letter was written to the Honourable Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister for Seniors and Community Supports and Cal Dallas MLA on August 17, 2010 from the Central Alberta Council on Aging (CACA).
Dear Mary Anne and Cal, We have seen newspaper articles and letters to the editor by Alberta Ministers on “Continuing Care” in Central Alberta; in them we have seen many promises but no factual information. Last week Red Deer residents received a pamphlet promising "More beds more choices for Central Alberta Seniors". The advertisement by Alberta Health Services promotes the Extendicare Michener Hill Continuing Care Facility. It used the term “continuing care”, but it does not explain the difference between Long Term Care beds and other levels of care to be provided in that facility, such as Designated Assisted Living and others. We have received inquiries from people who have followed instructions on the back page of the advertisement. They called Alberta Health Services Seniors’ Care office at 403-314-6093 as directed, but they were not able to get information on the various “definitions of care” and the care included in the rates and charges for these various levels. Without this information your term “more choices for Central Alberta Seniors” is meaningless. We at CACA have a long history asking questions about this issue. Our board met with Kerry Bales, Vice President Central Zone Alberta Health Services in February 2010; and we have asked you, our MLAs, at various meetings for the same information. We have not received a satisfactory reply to date. We noticed that you toured the facility last month and that you met with the Extendicare executive director. We request your assistance in providing Central Alberta Seniors with clear, easy to understand dollars and cents information on what the Alberta Government has negotiated with Extendicare on their behalf. We also repeat our request for a meeting and tour with the operator Extendicare. Please reply at your earliest opportunity. Sam Denhaan, President of the Central Alberta Council on Aging |
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Farmworker discrimination |
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Friday, 13 August 2010 16:19 |
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There has been an outcry from the Alberta Federation of Labour on behalf of the farmworkers across Alberta. Alberta is the only province that excludes farm workers from occupational health and safety laws, as well as legislation governing hours of work and overtime, statutory holidays, vacation pay, the right to refuse unsafe work including being informed of dangers, and compensation if they are injured on the job. “In the nine years the Alberta Government has said it is ‘consulting’ on how to improve safety for agricultural workers, 160 people have died on farm worksites,” said Gill McGown, President of Alberta Federation of Labour. This number excludes the thousands of farm-related injuries that are reported each year. Due to these facts, Alberta’s Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister Jack Hayden is asking municipalities, including the County of Paintearth, across Alberta to participate in a Agriculture Safety and Health Survey, to examine occupational health and safety on farms and ranches. Throughout 2009, consultations were held with 22 organizations across Alberta, including one with the Alberta Association of Municipality Districts and Counties. The most pertinent information from the consultations sent a message to the Alberta Government that enhanced awareness and education of safe farming practices were needed. Along with that recommendation was a proposal to establish a new organization for Agricultural Safety and Health. A final report from the information gathered during the consultations will be released shortly. The hope is that the new Agricultural Safety and Health organization will recommend new legislation that will include farmworkers under the same safety and employment standards that govern other workers in Alberta.
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Training future municipal leaders |
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Friday, 27 August 2010 15:29 |
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Alberta’s municipalities are hard at work training recent post-secondary graduates to become future leaders in municipal management and land-use planning. The province’s Municipal Internship Program assists municipalities in training and developing competent, well-rounded senior municipal employees. “Municipal Affairs is proud to continue to provide this highly successful program,” said Hector Goudreau, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Not only does this help meet local workforce demands, but it’s also helping to develop and keep qualified professionals here in Alberta.” The government provides a grant of $43,000 to each municipality that hosts an intern in the administrator program. In the land use planning program, host organizations receive $43,000 in the first year and $19,000 in the second year. Twenty-four municipalities and planning service agencies are hosting 37 interns this year. The 37 interns are participating in the following programs: •12 interns in the one-year administrator program •Nine interns in an optional second year of the administrator program •Eight interns in the first year of their two-year land use planning program •Eight interns continuing in the second year of the land use planning program Currently in its ninth year, the administrator program began with five interns in 2002. The land-use planning internship started in 2007 with seven interns. To date, more than 135 interns have participated in, or are currently part of, this program. “Our participating members benefit greatly from working with future municipal administrators through the Municipal Internship Program - it’s an excellent resource,” said Gerald Soroka, Vice-President of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. “This program really underscores the importance of strong, sustainable municipalities for Alberta’s continued success.” “I commend the Alberta government and Municipal Affairs for remaining committed to this vitally important program,” said the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association’s President, Darren Aldous, Mayor of Breton. “It is always one of my highlights each year at our convention to welcome the interns and recognize them for taking up a career in our industry." Organizations interested in hosting an intern for the 2011 Municipal Internship Program can go to www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/ms/internship for information on eligibility requirements and the application process. The deadline to apply to host an intern in 2011 is September 10, 2010.
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Monday, 09 August 2010 04:10 |
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To protest the closing of Valley Park Manor and Red Deer Nursing Home, a third rally is scheduled for August 10, starting at Red Deer City Hall. Residents from both facilities will be transferred to the 220 Michener Hill Village facility, which will provide only four additional long-term care beds for the area. Minister of Health and Wellness, Gene Zwozdesky, has told the public that the government is not using “coined terms” any longer. “That’s why we refer to all these spaces as continuing care,” said Minister Zwozdesky (Red Deer Avocate) “They have far greater flexibility that way.” Alberta’s Union of Provincial Employees remain opposed to the closures due to the fact that there are 230 people in Central Albert waiting for long-term care. President Guy Smith and the Union is behind the organizing of the third rally. Prospects for the two facilities once they are closed is unknown. According to Media Relations Personnel John Tuckwell, "We are looking for options, but it is too soon to speculate at this time." |
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