Alberta
The Deadline for the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre Dream Home lottery is Sunday
The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre Dream Home Lottery ticket deadline is Sunday, April 7. Please take a moment to see and share these reasons for supporting our most vulnerable kids. Most importantly.. click on this link to visit the lottery website.
10 Children Supported in one week. In this week alone, we have seen & supported 10 kids here at the Centre.
These children have been impacted by child abuse in some capacity: sexual abuse, physical, neglect, witness to domestic violence, sexual exploitation and emotional abuse.
9 Quilting Groups who make it possible to give our littles the comfort of their very own quilt.
When a child first visits our Centre they are often afraid, confused, and sad. After the interview, or other support they receive, it is incredible to witness the change in them. They stand a little taller, and leave knowing that today is the start of their healthy future.
Thanks to some amazing groups of ladies we are also fortunate enough to give a child a quilt afterwards, wrapping themselves with the comfort knowing it is going to be ok. These ladies stop by every couple months to bring us these hand-made pieces which takes many many hours, days and weeks to make.
8 New Communities Supported this Month.
In the month of March, we have supported children and their families impacted by child abuse from 8 new communities throughout Central Alberta.
Since opening, we have served 61 communities.
Although we are located in Red Deer, we support more than half of our cases from surrounding communities: Sylvan Lake, Alix, Lacombe, Bashaw – your community.
7 Core Staff at the CACAC
The CACAC is comprised of a group driven by courage to end the cycle of abuse. What many do not know is that we are a small team, only made up of 7 core staff just as of this month!
We wouldn’t be able to do this alone though, it is through our collaboration with our 7 partners that makes it possible: RCMP, Central Region Children’s Services, AHS, Alberta Education, Alberta Justice, Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, and RDC.
It is also through YOU that we are able to support the children of Central Alberta. We rely on the support and advocacy of the community and we need your help.
To support the CACAC and the vulnerable children of Central Alberta, please buy your Dream Home Lottery ticket before it’s too late. All proceeds go directly to supporting children and their families impacted by child abuse.
6 Years since Bill 25: The Children First Act – Alberta Children’s Charter was enacted.
#DidYouKnow: The Children First Act was passed 6 years ago here in Alberta, allowing pertinent information to be shared among service providers – if deemed beneficial to the child or for the provision of services.
This is what allows all of our partners to work together at ‘triage’. They are able to share important case information which expedites the process – and in-turn propels healing & recovery for the child.
Although this act allows for government agencies to collaborate and work together here at the CACAC, we still rely on the community for the majority of funding.
5 Operating Child Advocacy Centres in Alberta
We are proud to be apart of the 5 open & operating CACs in Alberta – operating for a full 16 months! Other CACs in Alberta include: Zebra Child Protection Centre Calgary & Area Child Advocacy Centre Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services Caribou Child & Youth Centre .
All of these Centres collaborate on best practices & support one another in order to best support the children of Alberta affected by Child Abuse.
4 X more likely for child abuse survivors to report self-harm or suicidal ideations.
This staggering statistic is another reason why support throughout and after the initial process is so crucial. For the survivor, it doesn’t just end at the potential court hearing, or even at the forensic interview – healing is a life-long journey.
Through our partnership with Alberta Health Services, we now have our Mental Health Therapist here onsite at the CACAC – providing the much needed support and therapy for both the child and their family to end the cycle of abuse.
3 | 1 in 3 Canadians report to have experienced some form of child abuse in their youth.
We have shared this stat with you before, but let it sink in. In Canada, 33% of our population has been affected by child abuse.
This is someone you most likely know and would never expect. This is someone that is homeless struggling with addiction because they have no other way to cope and didn’t receive the crucial support. This may be your neighbor, your cousin, your best friend, your niece.
Many times, the story is not shared or reported until a much older age where the survivor has been struggling internally for years.
Help support the 1 in 3 Canadians that are survivors of abuse.
2 or more partners have collaborated on 87% of cases
Out of the 483 (as of March 27) children we have supported, 87% of the cases were through collaborative efforts between 2 or more of our service partners. We work with Alberta Health Services, Central Region Children’s Services, Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, and the RCMP.
Through this collaboration, more information is shared – reducing the time for a child to receive proper support.
Your Dream Home Ticket helps support these collaborative measures in-turn, supports the 483 seen at the Centre and the many more we will support.
For $35 you can influence positive outcomes in the lives of abused children living in Central Alberta communities.
1 Ticket can change the life of a child
Your $35 ticket doesn’t just give you the chance to win an amazing house, cars or other prizes – it changes the life of the children that we support at the Centre.
All of the proceeds from the Dream Home Lottery support the most vulnerable children of Central Alberta – those impacted by child abuse. This abuse ranges from physical, to sexual, to being a witness of domestic violence, peer-to-peer abuse and unfortunately much more.
Your $35 is a donation and helps give back the promise and possibility of a healthy future to those that need it most.
Please buy your ticket before its too late, and support the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre and our mission to end the cycle of child abuse.
Tickets:
www.cacaclottery.ca
1-833-475-4402
57 Larratt Close – open Sunday until 5pm.
Alberta
Premier Smith says Auto Insurance reforms mean lower premiums and better services for Alberta drivers
Premier Smith says Auto Insurance reforms may still result in a publicly owned system
Better, faster, more affordable auto insurance
Alberta’s government is introducing a new auto insurance system that will provide better and faster services to Albertans while reducing auto insurance premiums.
After hearing from more than 16,000 Albertans through an online survey about their priorities for auto insurance policies, Alberta’s government is introducing a new privately delivered, care-focused auto insurance system.
Right now, insurance in the province is not affordable or care focused. Despite high premiums, Albertans injured in collisions do not get the timely medical care and income support they need in a system that is complex to navigate. When fully implemented, Alberta’s new auto insurance system will deliver better and faster care for those involved in collisions, and Albertans will see cost savings up to $400 per year.
“Albertans have been clear they need an auto insurance system that provides better, faster care and is more affordable. When it’s implemented, our new privately delivered, care-centred insurance system will put the focus on Albertans’ recovery, providing more effective support and will deliver lower rates.”
“High auto insurance rates put strain on Albertans. By shifting to a system that offers improved benefits and support, we are providing better and faster care to Albertans, with lower costs.”
Albertans who suffer injuries due to a collision currently wait months for a simple claim to be resolved and can wait years for claims related to more serious and life-changing injuries to addressed. Additionally, the medical and financial benefits they receive often expire before they’re fully recovered.
Under the new system, Albertans who suffer catastrophic injuries will receive treatment and care for the rest of their lives. Those who sustain serious injuries will receive treatment until they are fully recovered. These changes mirror and build upon the Saskatchewan insurance model, where at-fault drivers can be sued for pain and suffering damages if they are convicted of a criminal offence, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, or conviction of certain offenses under the Traffic Safety Act.
Work on this new auto insurance system will require legislation in the spring of 2025. In order to reconfigure auto insurance policies for 3.4 million Albertans, auto insurance companies need time to create and implement the new system. Alberta’s government expects the new system to be fully implemented by January 2027.
In the interim, starting in January 2025, the good driver rate cap will be adjusted to a 7.5% increase due to high legal costs, increasing vehicle damage repair costs and natural disaster costs. This protects good drivers from significant rate increases while ensuring that auto insurance providers remain financially viable in Alberta.
Albertans have been clear that they still want premiums to be based on risk. Bad drivers will continue to pay higher premiums than good drivers.
By providing significantly enhanced medical, rehabilitation and income support benefits, this system supports Albertans injured in collisions while reducing the impact of litigation costs on the amount that Albertans pay for their insurance.
“Keeping more money in Albertans’ pockets is one of the best ways to address the rising cost of living. This shift to a care-first automobile insurance system will do just that by helping lower premiums for people across the province.”
Quick facts
- Alberta’s government commissioned two auto insurance reports, which showed that legal fees and litigation costs tied to the province’s current system significantly increase premiums.
- A 2023 report by MNP shows
Alberta maintains a balanced budget while ensuring pressures from population growth are being addressed.
Alberta faces rising risks, including ongoing resource volatility, geopolitical instability and rising pressures at home. With more than 450,000 people moving to Alberta in the last three years, the province has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to address these pressures and ensure Albertans continue to be supported. Alberta’s government is determined to make every dollar go further with targeted and responsible spending on the priorities of Albertans.
The province is forecasting a $4.6 billion surplus at the end of 2024-25, up from the $2.9 billion first quarter forecast and $355 million from budget, due mainly to higher revenue from personal income taxes and non-renewable resources.
Given the current significant uncertainty in global geopolitics and energy markets, Alberta’s government must continue to make prudent choices to meet its responsibilities, including ongoing bargaining for thousands of public sector workers, fast-tracking school construction, cutting personal income taxes and ensuring Alberta’s surging population has access to high-quality health care, education and other public services.
“These are challenging times, but I believe Alberta is up to the challenge. By being intentional with every dollar, we can boost our prosperity and quality of life now and in the future.”
Midway through 2024-25, the province has stepped up to boost support to Albertans this fiscal year through key investments, including:
- $716 million to Health for physician compensation incentives and to help Alberta Health Services provide services to a growing and aging population.
- $125 million to address enrollment growth pressures in Alberta schools.
- $847 million for disaster and emergency assistance, including:
- $647 million to fight the Jasper wildfires
- $163 million for the Wildfire Disaster Recovery Program
- $5 million to support the municipality of Jasper (half to help with tourism recovery)
- $12 million to match donations to the Canadian Red Cross
- $20 million for emergency evacuation payments to evacuees in communities impacted by wildfires
- $240 million more for Seniors, Community and Social Services to support social support programs.
Looking forward, the province has adjusted its forecast for the price of oil to US$74 per barrel of West Texas Intermediate. It expects to earn more for its crude oil, with a narrowing of the light-heavy differential around US$14 per barrel, higher demand for heavier crude grades and a growing export capacity through the Trans Mountain pipeline. Despite these changes, Alberta still risks running a deficit in the coming fiscal year should oil prices continue to drop below $70 per barrel.
After a 4.4 per cent surge in the 2024 census year, Alberta’s population growth is expected to slow to 2.5 per cent in 2025, lower than the first quarter forecast of 3.2 per cent growth because of reduced immigration and non-permanent residents targets by the federal government.
Revenue
Revenue for 2024-25 is forecast at $77.9 billion, an increase of $4.4 billion from Budget 2024, including:
- $16.6 billion forecast from personal income taxes, up from $15.6 billion at budget.
- $20.3 billion forecast from non-renewable resource revenue, up from $17.3 billion at budget.
Expense
Expense for 2024-25 is forecast at $73.3 billion, an increase of $143 million from Budget 2024.
Surplus cash
After calculations and adjustments, $2.9 billion in surplus cash is forecast.
- $1.4 billion or half will pay debt coming due.
- The other half, or $1.4 billion, will be put into the Alberta Fund, which can be spent on further debt repayment, deposited into the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and/or spent on one-time initiatives.
Contingency
Of the $2 billion contingency included in Budget 2024, a preliminary allocation of $1.7 billion is forecast.
Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
The Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund grew in the second quarter to a market value of $24.3 billion as of Sept. 30, 2024, up from $23.4 billion at the end of the first quarter.
- The fund earned a 3.7 per cent return from July to September with a net investment income of $616 million, up from the 2.1 per cent return during the first quarter.
Debt
Taxpayer-supported debt is forecast at $84 billion as of March 31, 2025, $3.8 billion less than estimated in the budget because the higher surplus has lowered borrowing requirements.
- Debt servicing costs are forecast at $3.2 billion, down $216 million from budget.
Related information
COP 29 leaders demand over a $1 trillion a year in climate reparations from ‘wealthy’ nations. They don’t deserve a nickel.
What Will Be the Future of the Keystone XL Pipeline Under President Trump?
Trump Energy Policies will be executed by New York Rep. Lee Zeldin and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum
Health Care Update: Province will deliver health services regionally in seven “health corridors”
-
Brownstone Institute2 days agoThe Most Devastating Report So Far
-
Business2 days agoCarbon tax bureaucracy costs taxpayers $800 million
-
ESG1 day agoCan’t afford Rent? Groceries for your kids? Trudeau says suck it up and pay the tax!
-
Daily Caller1 day agoLos Angeles Passes ‘Sanctuary City’ Ordinance In Wake Of Trump’s Deportation Plan
-
John Stossel1 day agoGreen Energy Needs Minerals, Yet America Blocks New Mines
-
Alberta1 day agoProvince considering new Red Deer River reservoir east of Red Deer
-
MAiD2 days agoOver 40% of people euthanized in Ontario lived in poorest parts of the province: government data
-
Addictions1 day agoBC Addictions Expert Questions Ties Between Safer Supply Advocates and For-Profit Companies