What to Expect
Premier Smith is set to address the province today in a televised address at 6:30 PM. Most speculate that she will announce new measures to help Albertans cope with affordability. The issue was given top billing in all mandate letters to ministers, and in all public remarks the Premier has made since being sworn in.
The Week That Was
Premier Smith and Health Minister Jason Copping announced the anticipated changes to Alberta Health Services. The AHS board is being dissolved and replaced with Dr. John Cowell as a full-time administrator. Dr. Cowell has been in the role before, in 2013. He has been given four objectives:
- Improve EMS response times
- Decrease ER wait times
- Reduce wait times for surgeries
- Develop long-term reforms through consultations with front-line workers
Premier Smith also announced that the AHS Board would be re-instated at an “appropriate time.”
Yesterday, Health Minister Jason Copping announced the government’s plan to implement a new agreement with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) to change the daily cap policy. Additionally, the agreement includes a one per cent rate increase for a three-year period and a one per cent recognition lump sum payment in 2022-23.
Earlier in the week Premier Smith also wrote an open letter to Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, calling for an expansion of the City’s LRT system to the Calgary International Airport, indicating the province would be willing to help, and also advocating for a Calgary to Banff train.
Speaking on Your Province, Your Premier, Premier Smith said that any Alberta Pension Plan would be first put to a referendum before being implemented.
Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally was in Texas last week, promoting Alberta business at the Texas Blockchain Summit.
The last mandate letters were released, for the Ministers of:
Orders in Council
The Designated Regulations were issued. These can be found here.
