New Safety Rules Keep Alberta Workplaces Safer

The Government of Alberta has adopted a new Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code to ensure that workplace safety rules keep pace with with changes on Alberta worksites. The Minister of Human Resources and Employment believes that the government has a responsibility to support our partners in industry and to assist them in keeping workplaces safe. Some constituents have expressed concern that these changes may add costs to employers. For more information, please visit http://www3.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/law/index.asp and/or call the Workplace Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-866-415-8690 to provide your comments to these changes.

$51 Million Allocated For More Affordable Housing

Through Budget 2004, $51.24 million was allocated to foster the development of more affordable housing in the province through the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Program. This funding brings the affordable housing funding commitment to over $109 million since the federal/provincial program agreement was signed in June 2002. The $51.24 million is composed of $25.6 million in new provincial funding to be matched by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). To date, approximately 1,000 new affordable housing units have been generated through the Canada Alberta Affordable Housing Program. Funding for projects is allocated project-by-project based upon greatest demonstrated need, financial viability and sustainability without ongoing subsidies, project design and location. Approved housing projects must remain affordable for at least 20 years. For more information on the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Program, please visit the Alberta Seniors website at www.seniors.gov.ab.ca.

Roundtable Results In New Provincial Coordinator For Family Violence, Bullying Initiatives

After hearing from thousands of Albertans, and at the conclusion of the roundtable, Alberta Children's Services announced a new position dedicated solely to implementing an action plan to prevent family violence and bullying in Alberta. The roundtable highlighted some key areas for government and communities to focus on in the future. The action plan will be drafted over the Summer and presented to government in the Fall of 2004. Recommendations in the plan will be made public.

What Every Summer Worker Should Know About Employment Standards

Summer is here and with it comes summer jobs for many young people and students. It is important that these workers know about employment standards in the workplace. Alberta's Employment Standards Code sets out the minimum standards that apply to employees and employers under provincial jurisdiction. For more information,, please visit www.gov.ab.ca/hre/employmentstandards/about/index.asp or call the Employment Standards Contact Centre at (780) 427-3731, toll free by first dialing 310-0000 or alternatively call my constituency office.

Summertime, And The Living Is Easy - So Is Being Fire Safe - Summer Fire Safety Campaign, 2004

Warmer temperatures and dry conditions, combined with an increase in fire-related activities, make the summer months a time of increased fire risk. The Alberta Fire Commissioner, Pat Graham, stresses that summer fun should include fire safety. Alberta's fire statistics show that from May 1 to September 1, during the five-year period between 1998 and 2002, there were 11,900 fires; 55 deaths; 615 injuries; and $348 million in property losses. Thirty per cent of fire deaths (17) and 52 per cent of fire injuries (295) during this period occurred outdoors. Tips on fire safety are available from the Alberta Fire Commissioner's Office. The kit contains everything you need to know about fire safety during the summer months, and is available online at www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/fco/doc/2004SummerSafetyKit.doc

Utilities Consumer Advocate Launches Interactive Website

Roger Jackson, Alberta's Utilities Consumer Advocate, has launched an informative and interactive website at www.UtilitiesConsumerAdvocate.gov.ab.ca that provides information to many different questions. It also allows consumers to exchange information directly with the Advocate and his staff. Visitors to the site can find out who the Advocate is and what he is doing to assist Alberta's 1.2 million residential, farm and small business consumers of electricity and natural gas.

Public Consultations

Please visit http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/Index.cfm?Page=625 and provide your input to matters that affect Albertans.

Wishing you a very happy and safe Summer