| May 15, 2003 | ||
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News from the Legislature Alana DeLong, MLA Seniors Week: This year we celebrate Seniors Week with the theme Vital-Active-Involved from June 1-7, 2003. There are several seniors clubs, lodges and residences in my constituency. Seniors bring knowledge, strength, wisdom and vitality to our communities. They contribute to our economy, heritage, volunteerism and have a lifetime of experiences to support our communities. I would encourage everyone to come together and celebrate the impact seniors have made on the quality of life in Alberta. Seniors May Be Eligible for Help With Rising Utility Costs: Honourable Stan Woloshyn, Minister of Seniors, announced that low-income seniors on the Alberta Seniors Benefit could have utility costs considered in their applications for financial assistance through the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program. The special needs program has been temporarily changed to now include "rising utility costs" as an allowance expense. This income-tested program provides lump-sum cash payments to help low-income seniors receiving the Alberta Seniors Benefit who do not have the financial resources to fund one-time, or extraordinary expenses. The temporary change will consider applications to the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program received prior to May 31, 2003 and take into consideration utility costs for the months of January to April. To obtain an application, seniors can pick one up at a Seniors Information Service Office, by calling Alberta Seniors at 1-800-642-3853 or from the Alberta Seniors website at: www.seniors.gov.ab.ca. Applications that are currently being reviewed will be assessed based on the revised criteria. These seniors will not have to reapply. $5.5 Billion Committed to Modernize Alberta's Infrastructure: During the next three years, the Alberta government will commit $5.5 billion to build and modernize schools, roads, health facilities, and other vital public infrastructure in the province. Bill 32, Income and Employment Supports Act, Will Help Low-Income Albertans: Bill 32, the Income and Employment Supports Act, will establish a new program and benefit structure that will help people meet their basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter, and provide additional building blocks of support to respond to people's unique circumstances. That might mean academic upgrading, help to get child support, or longer-term financial assistance for people who are unable to work. Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) will continue as a separate program. Bill 32 is the next step in following through on the recommendations of the MLA Committee to Review Low-Income Programs. Government will continue to consult with key stakeholders as the regulations, which will include details such as rates and eligibility requirements, are developed. For more information on this initiative, please visit www.gov.ab.ca/hre or call my constituency office. The Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund - Listening to Albertans: A huge thank you to those constituents who took the time to complete the Heritage Fund survey - “Looking Forward - Planning for the Future with the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund”. You were one of over 77,000 Albertans who responded to the survey, an increase of 50% over the last Heritage Fund survey in 1995. And if you responded on the Internet, you can be proud in knowing that you took part in the most successful Internet campaign in the history of Alberta government surveys. Clearly, the Heritage Fund is important to Albertans! First - and coming as no surprise - Albertans value the Fund. Over 60% feel the Heritage Fund should remain primarily an endowment fund, while 24 % would like to see it used for other purposes. The rest did not have an opinion either way. Thank you for your input. If you would like a detailed copy of the survey statistics and analysis, you can find it on-line at www.albertaheritagefund.com, or call my constituency office. Remicade and Enbrel: I am very pleased to inform you that on March 29th Honourable Gary Mar, Minister of Health and Wellness, announced that the drugs named remicade and enbrel will be covered by government sponsored drug plans.
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