Alberta
Province trumpets $105 million in new health spending for Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program
Strengthening rural health care
Budget 2023 expands rural health supports so Albertans can have additional access to modern health facilities and the care they need where and when they need it.
Alberta’s government is committed to expanding and modernizing rural hospitals and other health facilities across the province to protect quality health care, grow system capacity and support the best front-line health care workers in the world.
Having access to quality health care when and where Albertans need it includes expanding capacity to provide better access for Albertans living in rural and remote areas of the province.
“We are making sure we have the necessary funding in place to build and strengthen health care in our rural communities and address barriers to care for those looking for support and treatment close to home and family. This work includes programs that focus on how to recruit, retain and even train more physicians, nurses and other professionals in areas outside of the cities.”
Budget 2023 provides $105 million over three years for the Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program, including $75 million in additional funding for capital projects in rural Alberta.
The program supports strategic renovations and developments in health facilities throughout the province, with an emphasis on emergency departments, EMS stations, surgical and dialysis clinics, and other clinical services to improve access to health care in rural Alberta.
Expanding capacity in the health care system also means having health care workers to fill those spots. In response, Alberta’s government launched the Health Workforce Strategy to attract and retain the health care workers needed now and create more training opportunities for local students and internationally trained medical graduates.
“All Albertans, no matter where they live, need and deserve access to our health system. Physicians are a critical part of that system, especially in rural areas where we are trusted to support the needs of neighbours, friends and colleagues during all phases of life. It is a special calling to work in rural health care, but it can be tremendously rewarding for those who pursue it.”
Rural Albertans are especially affected by the nationwide shortage of health care workers. To address this growing need, the Health Workforce Strategy provides $113 million to add 100 residency training spaces for newly graduated doctors, particularly in rural areas and specialist fields. Creating these new training spaces will provide more opportunities for Alberta students to learn, train and practise in their home communities.
In addition to this investment, a further $1 million will go toward exploring ways that regional post-secondary institutions, such as the University of Lethbridge and Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie, can help deliver medical education outside of Edmonton and Calgary.
“Whether it’s emergency care or surgeries, primary care or continuing care, Albertans deserve equitable health care services in their communities. I am proud of the investments government is making through Budget 2023, both with infrastructure funding and workforce planning strategies, to help support the future of rural health care in our province.”
This year’s budget also funds the new agreement with the Alberta Medical Association, further stabilizing the health system and focusing on Alberta’s rural communities. Under the agreement, more than $250 million over four years will go to addressing pressures, including recruitment and retention programs so more Albertans can access family doctors, and supporting physicians so their practices remain viable.
Budget 2023 secures Alberta’s future by transforming the health care system to meet people’s needs, supporting Albertans with the high cost of living, keeping our communities safe and driving the economy with more jobs, quality education and continued diversification.
Quick facts
- The Rural Health Revitalization Program provides capital funding for revitalizing select rural health facilities throughout the province.
- Budget 2023 invests $105 million over three years for the Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program. This includes $75 million in additional funding for new capital projects in rural Alberta.
- To date, about $65 million has been committed to 22 projects across the province, including emergency department renovations, upgrades to EMS stations and new dialysis spaces.
- An investment of $237 million over three years towards the Alberta Surgical Initiative Capital Program will help reduce surgical wait times and help Albertans receive the surgeries they need.
- This includes $120 million in new funding for projects in 15 communities across the province to expand and modernize operating rooms in public hospitals.
- Budget 2023 includes $64 million over three years to continue the La Crete Community Health Centre capital project to provide increased access to maternity health services.
- $11 million over three years is part of a $23.5-million commitment to expand the renal dialysis program at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge.
- This project will relocate the dialysis unit to provide additional treatment spaces and address patient and staff safety concerns with the current site.
- $3 million over three years in planning dollars is committed to the North Calgary/Airdrie Regional Health Centre.
- $3 million over three years in planning dollars is committed to expanding the Strathcona Community Hospital.
- Planning dollars are also committed for new or upgraded facilities in Bassano, Cardston and Whitecourt.
|
|
Alberta’s government will introduce an Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act motion to fight back against the unconstitutional, job-killing federal emissions cap.
The proposed oil and gas emissions cap is in reality a federal government-imposed cap on oil and gas production and, if implemented, will result in a production cut of at least one million barrels a day of oil and gas in Alberta, while effectively prohibiting any production growth.
The Canadian constitution clearly gives provinces exclusive jurisdiction over non-renewable natural resource development. Multiple reports have shown an emissions cap will kill 150,000 jobs, devastate Alberta’s economy, cut production, and hurt Albertans.
Yet, on Nov. 4, the federal government introduced draft regulations for an oil and gas emissions cap, ignoring concerns from many provinces, industry, businesses and Albertans.
In response, Alberta’s government will introduce an Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act motion to stop a federal cap from infringing on the province’s distinct jurisdiction and killing good-paying jobs. The resolution asks the legislative assembly for approval to take a series of swift, effective actions designed to protect Alberta if the production cap ever becomes law.
“We will continue to defend our province from Ottawa’s senseless and direct attack. Our motion protects Albertans’ jobs and livelihoods, puts Ottawa back in their place, and ensures we can continue to support global energy security with Alberta oil and gas for decades to come.”
Independent analysis by the Conference Board of Canada, Deloitte and S&P Global all show the devastating impact of the federal government’s proposed oil and gas emissions cap. This includes cutting production by one million barrels a day by 2030 and draining billions from Canada’s economy. In addition, the Conference Board of Canada estimates that up to 150,000 Canadian jobs could be lost as a result of the cap. As a result of these – and other – impacts, the average Canadian family would have up to $419 less for groceries, mortgage payments and utilities every month.
“This cap is not actually about emissions. This is about the federal government wanting to cut oil and gas production and control our energy sector, even if it costs thousands of jobs and hurts Canadians from coast to coast. We are standing up for our province and protecting Albertans from this extreme federal overreach.”
If passed, the actions proposed in the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act motion will help protect Alberta’s economy while the province continues producing responsible energy to meet the world’s growing demands.
The motion proposes that the government launch an immediate constitutional challenge when, or if, the federal production cap becomes law. It also instructs the government to consider passing legislation, amending provincial regulations or taking whatever other steps are needed to:
- Ensure that no provincial entity participates in the enforcement or implementation of the federal cap.
- Ensure that all interest holder oil and gas production facilities and related infrastructure in Alberta (Interest Holder Facilities) are ‘essential infrastructure’ subject to the protections granted under Alberta’s Critical Infrastructure Defence Act.
- Prohibit entry by any individual, including any federal official or contractor, onto any Interest Holder Facilities, excepting any interest holders, employees and contractors, and those specifically licensed to enter by the Government of Alberta.
- Declare all information that is directly or indirectly related to greenhouse gas, collected at Interest Holder Facilities, as proprietary information exclusively owned by the Government of Alberta, and mandate that all emissions data be reported and disclosed at the province’s discretion.
- Effectively sell conventional oil through the Conventional Oil Royalty-in-Kind program, and work collaboratively with industry to implement a Bitumen Royalty-in-Kind program for bitumen, and develop a similar program for natural gas, if necessary.
- Work collaboratively and proactively with other provinces and territories, the United States and First Nations to double oil and gas pipeline capacity to tidewater and the United States of America.
If the motion is passed, Alberta’s government will immediately begin taking steps to be ready to protect the province if the federal regulations become law.
Quick facts:
- Alberta has repeatedly expressed that the federal cap is unconstitutional and impermissibly intrudes into an area of exclusive provincial jurisdiction as set out in section 92A of the Constitution Act, 1867.
- The Conference Board of Canada forecasts that royalties in Alberta will drop by $2-4 billion in 2030-31 under the emissions cap.
- Deloitte forecasts a $26 billion cut to Canada’s overall GDP in 2035, including a $16 billion decline in the GDP produced by oil and gas. It forecasts a five per cent decline in revenue for Alberta by 2035.
- Via the ScraptheCap.ca, over 4,000 people have sent letters to their Members of Parliament and federal ministers, and there have been over 12 million views of the current video online.
- Albertans and Canadians can continue to use the website to send letters.
Related information
The Most Devastating Report So Far
COP 29 leaders demand over a $1 trillion a year in climate reparations from ‘wealthy’ nations. They don’t deserve a nickel.
Another Mass Grave?
Can’t afford Rent? Groceries for your kids? Trudeau says suck it up and pay the tax!
-
C2C Journal2 days agoWhy the Trump Administration is Unlikely to Impose Import Tariffs on Canadian Oil and Natural Gas
-
Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum2 days agoAlberta Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2025
-
COVID-192 days agoStudy showing ‘high likelihood’ of link between COVID vaccines and death republished in peer-reviewed journal
-
Censorship Industrial Complex2 days agoShadowy US intelligence agency accused of funding efforts to suppress conservative media
-
Opinion1 day agoCBC on Trial: CBC CEO Catherine Tait Faces Brutal Takedown in Canadian Heritage Committee Hearing
-
Dr John Campbell2 days agoCancer cure experiences
-
Business1 day agoCBC CEO Says She Is Entitled To Massive Taxpayer-Funded Bonus
-
COVID-191 day agoNew book edited by Naomi Wolf exposes Pfizer’s ‘crimes against humanity’