Alberta
Alberta Party announces ‘Children First’ childcare plan
Alberta Party Leader Stephen Mandel says an Alberta Party government would pursue an ambitious new plan for early learning and child care.
The ‘Children First’ plan includes expanded direct financial support to lower and middle income families to cover the costs of licensed day care and out-of-school care programs, a caregiver tax credit, and the creation of more affordable, high-quality child care spaces throughout the province.
Under the plan lower and middle-income families would receive financial support to cover the costs of licensed child care through a voucher program. Vouchers could be used for any licensed child care and will provide a subsidy of up to 100% of the costs of a child care cost (up to established regional maximums) and applies to all licensed child care spaces in the province.
The subsidy will be income-tested using a sliding scale calculation. For general reference, approximate out-of-pocket maximums (based on income) for child care under this plan are as follows:
| Approximate Combined Family Income | Estimated Maximum Cost Per Day to Families Per Child |
| $0 – $29,999 | $0 per day max |
| $30,000 – $49,999 | $5 per day max |
| $50,000 – $69,999 | $10 per day max |
| $70,000 – $89,999 | $20 per day max |
| $90,000 – $110,000 | $30 per day max |
It is expected parents attending post-secondary education and those earning minimum wage will receive a 100% subsidy of their child care costs.
Other details in the plan include:
- Caregiver tax credit- For families with children who do not use licensed child care or don’t use the voucher program, an income-tested caregiver tax credit would be created to help recognize the costs involved in raising children.
- Creating more licensed child care spaces- A review of Alberta’s child care legislation will be undertaken, with a view to making it easier to create more licensed, safe, affordable, high-quality child care spaces. Under the plan an investment credit would also be established to encourage employers to create licensed child care spaces for children of employees.
- Creation of a new Ministry of Early Childhood- A new ministry which would focus on early learning and early childhood in Alberta.
Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement following the implementation of U.S. tariffs:
“The tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are an unjustifiable economic attack on Canadians and Albertans. They also represent a clear breach of the trade agreement signed by this same U.S. President during his first term. These tariffs will hurt the American people, driving up costs for fuel, food, vehicles, housing and many other products. They will also cost hundreds of thousands of American and Canadian jobs. This policy is both foolish and a failure in every regard.
“This is not the way it should be between two of the world’s strongest trading allies and partners. We would much rather be working with the U.S. on mutually beneficial trade deals than be caught in the middle of a tariff war.
“Alberta fully supports the federal response announced today by the Prime Minister. I will be meeting with my cabinet today and tomorrow to discuss Alberta’s response to these illegal tariffs, which we will announce publicly tomorrow.
“Now is the time for us to unite as a province and a country. We must do everything in our collective power to immediately tear down provincial trade barriers and fast-track the construction of dozens of resource projects, from pipelines to LNG facilities to critical minerals projects. We must strengthen our trade ties throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas for all our energy, agricultural and manufactured products. We also need to drastically increase military spending to ensure we can protect our nation. There is no time to waste on any of these initiatives.
“I will have more to say tomorrow.”
Alberta
Former Chief Judge of Manitoba Proincial Court will lead investigation into AHS procurement process
Deputy Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Christopher McPherson has issued the following statement on an independent third-party investigation into procurement and contracting processes used by the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services (AHS):
Deputy Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Christopher McPherson has issued the following statement on an independent third-party investigation into procurement and contracting processes used by the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services (AHS):
“While serving as Acting Deputy Minister of Executive Council, Premier Danielle Smith asked me to establish a credible, independent, third-party investigation into the procurement processes used by the Government of Alberta and AHS and their outcomes.
“I have informed Premier Smith that the Honourable Raymond E. Wyant, former Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba, will lead this investigation. I asked Premier Smith to issue a ministerial order to facilitate his work and she has done so. Judge Wyant’s work on this matter begins immediately.
“Judge Wyant was appointed to the Manitoba bench in 1998 before becoming Chief Judge in 2002. Prior to his service on the bench, Judge Wyant worked as a criminal defence lawyer and Crown attorney and was acting deputy director of Manitoba prosecutions at the time of his appointment to the Bench. He has also taught law for many years at Robson Hall at the University of Manitoba.
“Judge Wyant will review the relevant legislation, regulations and policies related to procurement typically used by Government of Alberta departments and agencies, specifically AHS, and their application to the procurement of pharmaceuticals and to services offered by chartered surgical facilities. Questions that Judge Wyant will consider are outlined in the attached terms of reference, and include whether or not any elected official, Government of Alberta or AHS employee, or other individuals, acted improperly during the procurement processes. Judge Wyant will make recommendations to the government for improvement or further action as appropriate.
“Appointed under the Government Organization Act, Judge Wyant will operate independently of government. The Government of Alberta will provide Judge Wyant with access to all relevant documents held by its departments and AHS, as well as facilitate interviews with relevant individuals.
“Judge Wyant has been given a budget of $500,000 to undertake this important work, including to retain legal and audit assistance at his discretion. He is being paid $31,900 per month, which is the same remuneration rate as the Chief Justice of the Alberta Court of Justice.
“To ensure additional independence, Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction will hold the budget for this third-party investigation.
“Judge Wyant will deliver an interim written report by May 30, 2025. A final written report and recommendations will be delivered by June 30, 2025, and it will be posted on alberta.ca.”
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