Alberta
Red Deer City Council needs these three things in next week’s provincial budget
From The City of Red Deer
Justice, health and social infrastructure are priorities for Red Deer in the 2020 Provincial Budget
The City of Red Deer is specifically looking for commitment and investment in crown prosecutors for Red Deer, a 24/7 permanent shelter and hospital expansion, as well as a commitment to maintain Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding, which was reduced in 2019 impacting The City’s overall capital plan going forward.
“This provincial budget is unlike any other as we continue working to respond to critical social and economic challenges that we hope will be provincially prioritized,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “Investment in a 24/7 permanent shelter and funding for Red Deer Regional Hospital expansion are critical needs that must be addressed for the health and wellbeing of our city as a whole. An investment in justice, especially additional crown prosecutors for Red Deer, is also a top priority to strengthen the court’s ability to uphold charges and obtain justice for victims of crime.”
In addition, The City of Red Deer continues to be concerned about potential downloading of provincial responsibilities to municipalities resulting in potential local tax impacts.
“The impacts of provincial downloading can be significant, especially at a time when many citizens are already feeling the pressures of difficult economic times. While we support the provincial government’s efforts in furthering financial sustainability and efficiency, we are working locally to maintain service and program delivery that responds to the economic and social challenges we face today as a city, and as a province,” said Veer.
As part of the priorities highlighted at the City Council meeting today, The City of Red Deer noted its commitment to community safety and crime reduction with continued focused on advocacy for additional crown prosecutors, as well as a need for a province-wide needle distribution protocol and debris strategy, residential treatment and increased affordable housing in Red Deer.
“It is our responsibility, as local government, to build a safe community while providing stability to businesses and residents in our city, especially in times of economic volatility,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “Earlier this year, Red Deer City Council approved the 2020 budget based on the best information we have right now, and it is our hope that this provincial budget reflects and acknowledges the needs of our citizens and our community at a time when we are working to maintain services and infrastructure for 2020 and beyond.”
The speech from the throne will take place on Tuesday, February 25 with the provincial budget on Thursday, February 27. Upon release of the 2020 provincial budget, administration will conduct an in-depth review to fully understand its impact on Red Deer and its citizens.
Show your Alberta side. Buy Local. |
When the going gets tough, Albertans stick together. That’s why Alberta’s government is launching a new campaign to benefit hard-working Albertans.
Global uncertainty is threatening the livelihoods of hard-working Alberta farmers, ranchers, processors and their families. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.
The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.
“It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”
Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.
Quick facts
- This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food.
- In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
- Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.
- Made in Alberta product catalogue website
Related information
Alberta
Province to expand services provided by Alberta Sheriffs: New policing option for municipalities
Expanding municipal police service options |
Proposed amendments would help ensure Alberta’s evolving public safety needs are met while also giving municipalities more options for local policing.
As first announced with the introduction of the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, Alberta’s government is considering creating a new independent agency police service to assume the police-like duties currently performed by Alberta Sheriffs. If passed, Bill 49 would lay additional groundwork for the new police service.
Proposed amendments to the Police Act recognize the unique challenges faced by different communities and seek to empower local governments to adopt strategies that effectively respond to their specific safety concerns, enhancing overall public safety across the province.
If passed, Bill 49 would specify that the new agency would be a Crown corporation with an independent board of directors to oversee its day-to-day operations. The new agency would be operationally independent from the government, consistent with all police services in Alberta. Unlike the Alberta Sheriffs, officers in the new police service would be directly employed by the police service rather than by the government.
“With this bill, we are taking the necessary steps to address the unique public safety concerns in communities across Alberta. As we work towards creating an independent agency police service, we are providing an essential component of Alberta’s police framework for years to come. Our aim is for the new agency is to ensure that Albertans are safe in their communities and receive the best possible service when they need it most.”
Additional amendments would allow municipalities to select the new agency as their local police service once it becomes fully operational and the necessary standards, capacity and frameworks are in place. Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring the new agency works collaboratively with all police services to meet the province’s evolving public safety needs and improve law enforcement response times, particularly in rural communities. While the RCMP would remain the official provincial police service, municipalities would have a new option for their local policing needs.
Once established, the agency would strengthen Alberta’s existing policing model and complement the province’s current police services, which include the RCMP, Indigenous police services and municipal police. It would help fill gaps and ensure law enforcement resources are deployed efficiently across the province.
Related information
Province to expand services provided by Alberta Sheriffs: New policing option for municipalities
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Made in Alberta! Province makes it easier to support local products with Buy Local program
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