New framework to help Alberta meet the opportunities and challenges of an aging population
The first of its kind in Canada, the Alberta government has developed an Aging Population Policy Framework to help meet the needs of an aging population.
“Our province is aging—in 20 years, the number of seniors will more than double, and by 2031, there will be more than 920,000 seniors in Alberta,” said Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports. “This population shift is going to present opportunities and challenges for the entire province. The needs and expectations of future seniors are going to be different, and we need to be prepared to respond in effective and sustainable ways.”
The framework will help government to holistically approach the needs of the aging population, and to improve coordination between governments and the many partners that serve and support seniors.
These policies were developed using input and advice from stakeholder and community organizations and Albertans through the work undertaken by the Demographic Planning Commission in 2008. The Framework and additional information are available on the Alberta Seniors and Community Supports website at www.seniors.alberta.ca.
The Government of Alberta is committed to providing Albertans with the quality of life that they want and deserve. To this end, one of our goals for Alberta as we move forward is to ensure that our province has the best-performing publicly funded health care system in North America. This includes a wide range of initiatives to support Alberta’s growing senior citizen population, like the Aging Population Policy Framework and adding 3,000 new continuing-care beds over the next three years.
For more information on this government’s plan for Alberta, please visit http://premier.alberta.ca/plansinitiatives/priorities/index.cfm.
Alberta’s feeder cattle producers gain new tool to increase protection against industry conditions
Alberta beef producers have a new tool to help handle volatile market prices and uncertainty around the Canadian dollar as they prepare their cattle for market.
Cattle Price Insurance Program (CPIP)-Feeder is the second insurance program to become available within the CPIP suite of programs and provides beef producers with protection against price risk, currency risk and basis risk.
CPIP-Feeder is designed to complement the existing program designed for finished cattle. Creating customized programs to reflect different market requirements was done in close consultation with the Feeder Associations of Alberta and Alberta Beef Producers. The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) was also instrumental in the development of CPIP. All CPIP programs are delivered by Alberta’s Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC).
CPIP is voluntary and market-driven, with settlement data gathered from auction markets across the province. CPIP-Feeder is now available to purchase. For more information or to enrol call AFSC at 1-877-899-AFSC (2372) or visit www.AFSC.ca.
Alberta to house a Canadian renewable energy first
The Alberta government is investing $3 million to help establish a pilot project in Medicine Hat that will demonstrate the potential of using solar energy to produce the steam needed to generate electricity, instead of using fossil fuels.
The Medicine Hat Concentrating Solar Thermal Energy Demonstration Project will be the first in Canada to add a solar-powered steam generation system to an existing power plant, allowing the plant’s turbines to generate a portion of its electricity from a renewable energy source.
The Medicine Hat power plant generates electricity for customers within the City of Medicine Hat, Redcliff, Dunmore, Veinerville and outlying rural areas adjacent to the city. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2012.
The project will cost $9 million in total. The Climate Change Emissions Management Corporation, which administers Alberta’s Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund, is directing $3 million towards the clean energy project and the City of Medicine Hat is also providing $3 million. The Government of Alberta’s $3 million comes from its portion of the Canada ecoTrust program.
As the MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, I am always available to assist constituents. If you have any questions or concerns regarding Alberta’s Aging Population Policy Framework, the Cattle Price Insurance Program, the Medicine Hat Concentrating Solar Thermal Energy Demonstration Project, or any other matter, please contact one of my constituency offices at Stettler 403-742-4284; Hanna 403-854-4333; Drumheller 403-823-8181, or my Legislature office at 780-427-2137. Also, please subscribe to my e newsletter at http://hayden.mypcmla.ca/.