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Alberta

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange announces nearly 25,000 new and upgraded spaces for students

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Investing in new schools, modernized spaces

Alberta’s government is investing $2.3 billion over the next three years, for new and modernized classrooms.

Budget 2023 supports 58 projects, which includes 13 full construction projects, 20 design, 14 planning and 11 pre-planning projects. In total, there will be nearly 25,000 new and additional spaces for students across Alberta – 9,400 new spaces and more than 15,500 student upgraded spaces. This includes approximately 4,500 new and upgraded spaces in Calgary, 4,100 in Edmonton and 16,300 for the rest of the province.

“Alberta’s young learners are the community and business leaders of tomorrow. They need the right spaces to gain the tools and skills needed to prepare for their bright futures. By investing in our schools, we’re investing in our students while at the same time creating more jobs and supporting the local economy.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education

This investment in education infrastructure includes:

  • $372 million for construction and design projects:
    • 10 new schools
    • 16 replacement schools
    • seven modernizations
  • $4 million to support planning activities such as site analysis and scope development for 14 projects
  • $1 million to pre-plan 11 conceptual projects that are anticipated to become high-priority needs for school jurisdictions
  • $1 billion to continue work on previously announced projects
  • $300 million over three years in school authority self-directed capital projects
  • $279 million to support the maintenance and renewal of existing school buildings through the Capital Maintenance and Renewal Program
  • $171 million to support public charter school infrastructure, including investment for a charter hub in Calgary
  • $43 million to fund facility upgrades for successful collegiate school applicants
  • $93 million for the modular classroom program to address urgent space needs across the province

“The Alberta government is investing in critical infrastructure projects that include upgrading and building high-quality schools to ensure Albertans can send their children to schools in their local communities. Our focus is on ensuring these projects are delivered on time, on budget and where they’re needed.”

Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Infrastructure

The availability of suitable sites has been one of the biggest roadblocks causing delays to school projects. That’s why, through Budget 2023, Alberta’s government is creating a new School Planning Program that will serve as a transparent “pipeline” for upcoming school projects to begin as soon as formal construction funding is approved. Fourteen school projects will begin planning and site development through this new program while a further 11 projects will receive pre-planning funding to assist with developing scope options.

The planning program will allow for the further development of project scope and site investigation work. It will also help to clarify potential risks and identify mitigating strategies and costs. The goal is to provide school boards with the resources they need to remove barriers and better position the project for design consideration and construction approval in future budget cycles, which is expected to reduce costs and minimize schedule disruptions and delays.

“The Calgary Catholic Board of Trustees is grateful for the capital projects announced for the Calgary Catholic School District, which includes full funding for the K-9 school in Nolan Hill to serve this rapidly growing community. We anticipate receiving the full construction funding for the Rangeview high school and Chestermere K-9 school as soon as possible, after the design process is completed. These projects need urgent attention given the critical need for school infrastructure and CCSD’s high utilization rate in these communities. CCSD appreciates the pre-planning commitment towards the construction of the K-9 school in Redstone, the addition/enhancement of Bishop McNally High School and the construction of a new west-end high school.”

Cathie Williams, board chair, Calgary Catholic School District

“On behalf of CBE students and their families, we thank the Government of Alberta for the capital plan announcement. These extraordinary and timely investments in infrastructure are vital to support student learning opportunities within our system.”

Laura Hack, board chair, Calgary Board of Education

“This is an exciting day for Elk Island Public Schools, for the community and especially for students of both École Campbelltown and Sherwood Heights Junior High. A modern, well-equipped and efficient building will allow us to continue to offer the quality education students need to succeed in the classroom and will help ease the growth pressures we are facing in Sherwood Park.”

Trina Boymook, board chair, Elk Island Public Schools

Quick facts:

  • Full construction funding activities include construction and post-occupancy review.
  • Design funding activities include the preparation of construction tender documents such as drawings and specifications.
  • Planning funding activities include site analysis and scope development activities.
  • Pre-planning funding allows a conceptual project to define scope elements, programming priorities and includes activities such as community engagement.
  • To support the decision-making process for delivering infrastructure projects, the Ministry of Infrastructure passed the Infrastructure Accountability Act in December 2021. This act outlines how the province prioritizes projects for the annual capital plan.
  • As legislated by the act, the government also published Building Forward: Alberta’s 20-Year Strategic Capital Plan in December 2021, providing a blueprint for long-term infrastructure investment and development in Alberta.
  • The government’s budget decisions are made in accordance with the act and are guided by the strategic capital plan to ensure future capital investments benefit Albertans.
  • Government partners, such as municipalities and school boards, will also be able to plan for capital funding knowing the long-term direction of government.

Budget 2023 school projects – full construction funding (13):

Community School division Project type/Name
Airdrie Conseil scolaire FrancoSud new secondary school
Calgary Calgary Board of Education modernization of John G. Diefenbaker High School
Calgary Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division new K-9 school in Nolan Hill
Edmonton Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord solution for École Michaëlle-Jean and École Gabrielle-Roy
Edmonton Edmonton Public School Board new K-9 school in Edgemont
Lethbridge Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate School Division new K-6 school in west Lethbridge
Lethbridge Conseil scolaire FrancoSud École La Vérendrye gym project
Okotoks Christ the Redeemer Catholic Separate School Division replacement of École Good Shepherd School
Penhold Chinook’s Edge School Division replacement of Penhold Elementary School
Raymond Westwind School Division new high school
Sherwood Park Elk Island School Division solution for Sherwood Park
Valleyview Northern Gateway School Division solution for Valleyview
Waskatenau Lakeland Roman Catholic Separate School Division replacement of Holy Family
Catholic School

Budget 2023 school projects – design funding (20):

Community School division Project type/Name
Airdrie Rocky View School Division new K-8 school in southwest Airdrie
Barrhead Pembina Hills School Division modernization and rightsizing of Barrhead Composite High School
Blackfalds Red Deer Catholic Separate School Division new K-5 school
Bow Island / Burdett Prairie Rose School Division solution for Bow Island and Burdett
Breton Wild Rose School Division modernization and rightsizing of Breton High School and demolition of Breton Elementary School
Brooks Grasslands School Division replacement of Brooks Junior High School
Chestermere Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division new K-9 school
Calgary Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division new high school in Rangeview
Edmonton Edmonton Catholic Separate School Division solution for Rundle Heights
Edmonton Edmonton Public School Board new junior/senior high school in Glenridding Heights
Fort McMurray Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord replacement of K-12 École Boréale
Lac La Biche Northern Lights School Division replacement of Vera M. Welsh School
Leduc Black Gold School Division modernization of École Corinthia Park School
Mallaig St. Paul School Division replacement of École Mallaig School
Medicine Hat Medicine Hat Roman Catholic Separate School Division replacement of St. Francis Xavier School
Nanton Livingstone Range School Division solution for Nanton
Red Earth Creek Peace River School Division replacement of Red Earth Creek School
Spruce Grove Parkland School Division replacement of Spruce Grove Composite High School
Taber Horizon School Division modernization of the W.R. Myers and D.A. Ferguson schools
Wainwright Buffalo Trail School Division replacement of Wainwright School

Budget 2023 – School Planning Program projects (14):

Community School division Project type/Name
Airdrie Rocky View School Division new grades 9-12 school
Calgary Calgary Board of Education modernization of Annie Gale School
Calgary Calgary Board of Education new high school in Cornerstone
Coalhurst Palliser School Division modernization of Coalhurst High School
Donnelly High Prairie School Division G. P. Vanier School
Edmonton Edmonton Catholic Separate School Division new K-9 school in Heritage Valley Cavanagh
Edmonton Edmonton Public School Board new K-6 school in Rosenthal
Edmonton Edmonton Public School Board new elementary school in Glenridding Heights
Fort McMurray Fort McMurray School Division modernization of Westwood Community High School
Grande Prairie Peace Wapiti School Division new high school north of Grande Prairie
Lethbridge Lethbridge School Division modernization of Galbraith Elementary School
Okotoks Foothills School Division new high school
Stettler Clearview School Division modernization and addition at Stettler Middle School
Strathmore Golden Hills School Division replacement of Westmount School

Budget 2023 – Pre-Planning Program projects (11):

Community School division Project type/Name
Calgary Calgary Board of Education modernization of A.E. Cross School
Calgary Calgary Board of Education modernization of Sir John A. Macdonald School
Calgary Calgary Board of Education new Saddle Ridge middle school
Calgary Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division new elementary school in Redstone
Calgary Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division addition at Bishop McNally High School
Calgary Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division new west Calgary high school
Chestermere Rocky View School Division new K-9 school
Cochrane Rocky View School Division new K-5/K-8
Edmonton Edmonton Catholic Separate School Division new north K-9 school
Edmonton Edmonton Public School Division new junior high school in Pilot Sound/McConachie
Red Deer Red Deer Public Schools new northeast middle school

Alberta

Free Alberta Strategy trying to force Trudeau to release the pension calculation

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Just over a year ago, Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner unveiled a report exploring the potential risks and benefits of an Alberta Pension Plan.

The report, prepared by pension analytics firm LifeWorks – formerly known as Morneau Shepell, the same firm once headed by former federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau – used the exit formula outlined in the Canada Pension Plan Act to determine that if the province exits, it would be entitled to a large share of CPP assets.

According to LifeWorks, Alberta’s younger, predominantly working-class population, combined with higher-than-average income levels, has resulted in the province contributing disproportionately to the CPP.

The analysis pegged Alberta’s share of the CPP account at $334 billion – 53% of the CPP’s total asset pool.

We’ve explained a few times how, while that number might initially sound farfetched, once you understand that Alberta has contributed more than it’s taken out, almost every single year CPP has existed, while other provinces have consistently taken out more than they put in and technically *owe* money, it starts to make more sense.

But, predictably, the usual suspects were outraged.

Media commentators and policy analysts across the country were quick to dismiss the possibility that Alberta could claim such a significant portion. To them, the idea that Alberta workers had been subsidizing the CPP for decades seemed unthinkable.

The uproar prompted an emergency meeting of Canada’s Finance Ministers, led by now-former federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Alberta pressed for clarity, with Horner requesting a definitive number from the federal government.

Freeland agreed to have the federal Chief Actuary provide an official calculation.

If you think Trudeau should release the pension calculation, click here.

Four months later, the Chief Actuary announced the formation of a panel to “interpret” the CPP’s asset transfer formula – a formula that remains contentious and could drastically impact Alberta’s entitlement.

(Readers will remember that how this formula is interpreted has been the matter of much debate, and could have a significant impact on the amount Alberta is entitled to.)

Once the panel completed its work, the Chief Actuary promised to deliver Alberta’s calculated share by the fall. With December 20th marking the last day of fall, Alberta has finally received a response – but not the one it was waiting for:

“We received their interpretation of the legislation, but it did not contain a number or even a formula for calculating a number,” said Justin Brattinga, Horner’s press secretary.

In other words, the Chief Actuary did the complete opposite of what they were supposed to do.

The Chief Actuary’s job is to calculate each province’s entitlement, based on the formula outlined in the CPP Act.

It is not the Chief Actuary’s job to start making up new interpretations of the formula to suit the federal government’s agenda.

In fact, the idea that the Chief Actuary spent all this time working on the issue, and didn’t even calculate a number is preposterous.

There’s just no way that that’s what happened.

Far more likely is that the Chief Actuary did run the numbers, using the formula in the CPP Act, only for them – and the federal government – to realize that Alberta’s LifeWorks calculation is actually about right.

Cue panic, a rushed attempt to “reinterpret” the formula, and a refusal to provide the number they committed to providing.

In short, we simply don’t believe that the Chief Actuary didn’t, you know, “actuarialize” anything.

For decades, Alberta has contributed disproportionately to the CPP, given its higher incomes and younger population.

Despite all the bluster in the media, this is actually common sense.

A calculation reflecting this reality would not sit well with other provinces, which have benefited from these contributions.

By withholding the actual number, Ottawa confirms the validity of Alberta’s position.

The refusal to release the calculation only adds fuel to the financial firestorm already underway in Ottawa.

Albertans deserve to know the truth about their contributions and entitlements.

We want to see that number.

If you agree, and want to see the federal government’s calculation on what Alberta is owed, sign our petition – Tell Trudeau To Release The Pension Calculation:

Once you’ve signed, send this petition to your friends, family, and all Albertans.

Thank you for your support!

Regards,

The Free Alberta Strategy Team

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Alberta

Ford and Trudeau are playing checkers. Trump and Smith are playing chess

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By Dan McTeague

 

Ford’s calls for national unity – “We need to stand united as Canadians!” – in context feels like an endorsement of fellow Electric Vehicle fanatic Trudeau. And you do wonder if that issue has something to do with it. After all, the two have worked together to pump billions in taxpayer dollars into the EV industry.

There’s no doubt about it: Donald Trump’s threat of a blanket 25% tariff on Canadian goods (to be established if the Canadian government fails to take sufficient action to combat drug trafficking and illegal crossings over our southern border) would be catastrophic for our nation’s economy. More than $3 billion in goods move between the U.S. and Canada on a daily basis. If enacted, the Trump tariff would likely result in a full-blown recession.

It falls upon Canada’s leaders to prevent that from happening. That’s why Justin Trudeau flew to Florida two weeks ago to point out to the president-elect that the trade relationship between our countries is mutually beneficial.

This is true, but Trudeau isn’t the best person to make that case to Trump, since he has been trashing the once and future president, and his supporters, both in public and private, for years. He did so again at an appearance just the other day, in which he implied that American voters were sexist for once again failing to elect the nation’s first female president, and said that Trump’s election amounted to an assault on women’s rights.

Consequently, the meeting with Trump didn’t go well.

But Trudeau isn’t Canada’s only politician, and in recent days we’ve seen some contrasting approaches to this serious matter from our provincial leaders.

First up was Doug Ford, who followed up a phone call with Trudeau earlier this week by saying that Canadians have to prepare for a trade war. “Folks, this is coming, it’s not ‘if,’ it is — it’s coming… and we need to be prepared.”

Ford said that he’s working with Liberal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to put together a retaliatory tariff list. Spokesmen for his government floated the idea of banning the LCBO from buying American alcohol, and restricting the export of critical minerals needed for electric vehicle batteries (I’m sure Trump is terrified about that last one).

But Ford’s most dramatic threat was his announcement that Ontario is prepared to shut down energy exports to the U.S., specifically to Michigan, New York, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, if Trump follows through with his plan. “We’re sending a message to the U.S. You come and attack Ontario, you attack the livelihoods of Ontario and Canadians, we’re going to use every tool in our toolbox to defend Ontarians and Canadians across the border,” Ford said.

Now, unfortunately, all of this chest-thumping rings hollow. Ontario does almost $500 billion per year in trade with the U.S., and the province’s supply chains are highly integrated with America’s. The idea of just cutting off the power, as if you could just flip a switch, is actually impossible. It’s a bluff, and Trump has already called him on it. When told about Ford’s threat by a reporter this week, Trump replied “That’s okay if he does that. That’s fine.”

And Ford’s calls for national unity – “We need to stand united as Canadians!” – in context feels like an endorsement of fellow Electric Vehicle fanatic Trudeau. And you do wonder if that issue has something to do with it. After all, the two have worked together to pump billions in taxpayer dollars into the EV industry. Just over the past year Ford and Trudeau have been seen side by side announcing their $5 billion commitment to Honda, or their $28.2 billion in subsidies for new Stellantis and Volkswagen electric vehicle battery plants.

Their assumption was that the U.S. would be a major market for Canadian EVs. Remember that “vehicles are the second largest Canadian export by value, at $51 billion in 2023 of which 93% was exported to the U.S.,”according to the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, and “Auto is Ontario’s top export at 28.9% of all exports (2023).”

But Trump ran on abolishing the Biden administration’s de facto EV mandate. Now that he’s back in the White House, the market for those EVs that Trudeau and Ford invested in so heavily is going to be much softer. Perhaps they’d like to be able to blame Trump’s tariffs for the coming downturn rather than their own misjudgment.

In any event, Ford’s tactic stands in stark contrast to the response from Alberta, Canada’s true energy superpower. Premier Danielle Smith made it clear that her province “will not support cutting off our Alberta energy exports to the U.S., nor will we support a tariff war with our largest trading partner and closest ally.”

Smith spoke about this topic at length at an event announcing a new $29-million border patrol team charged with combatting drug trafficking, at which said that Trudeau’s criticisms of the president-elect were, “not helpful.” Her deputy premier Mike Ellis was quoted as saying, “The concerns that president-elect Trump has expressed regarding fentanyl are, quite frankly, the same concerns that I and the premier have had.” Smith and Ellis also criticized Ottawa’s progressively lenient approach to drug crimes.

(For what it’s worth, a recent Léger poll found that “Just 29 per cent of [Canadians] believe Trump’s concerns about illegal immigration and drug trafficking from Canada to the U.S. are unwarranted.” Perhaps that’s why some recent polls have found that Trudeau is currently less popular in Canada than Trump at the moment.)

Smith said that Trudeau’s criticisms of the president-elect were, “not helpful.” And on X/Twitter she said, “Now is the time to… reach out to our friends and allies in the U.S. to remind them just how much Americans and Canadians mutually benefit from our trade relationship – and what we can do to grow that partnership further,” adding, “Tariffs just hurt Americans and Canadians on both sides of the border. Let’s make sure they don’t happen.”

This is exactly the right approach. Smith knows there is a lot at stake in this fight, and is not willing to step into the ring in a fight that Canada simply can’t win, and will cause a great deal of hardship for all involved along the way.

While Trudeau indulges in virtue signaling and Ford in sabre rattling, Danielle Smith is engaging in true statesmanship. That’s something that is in short supply in our country these days.

As I’ve written before, Trump is playing chess while Justin Trudeau and Doug Ford are playing checkers. They should take note of Smith’s strategy. Honey will attract more than vinegar, and if the long history of our two countries tell us anything, it’s that diplomacy is more effective than idle threats.

Dan McTeague is President of Canadians for Affordable Energy.

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