New projects to improve access to health care and reduce wait times:
A $54-million provincial investment will support projects designed to improve province-wide access to health services and enhance the quality of patient care. The bulk of the funds, $42 million, will support the development of innovative models of care for health services such as cardiac care, breast and prostate cancer care, as well as the provincial rollout of the learnings from the new hip and knee model of care.

New AISH Act to provide more flexibility to respond to client needs: The renewed Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Act, introduced March 9th in the Legislature, will help government better respond to client needs by improving the current income reporting process and ensuring clients can access an appeal process in situations involving overpayments. This legislation has been rewritten and updated to continue the government’s commitment to renew the AISH program. These changes will make the program more responsive to AISH clients and give the government more flexibility in administering benefits that support the unique needs of Albertans with disabilities. Under this proposed legislation and forthcoming regulations, clients who work or whose income changes regularly can continue to report monthly. This will ensure that these AISH clients receive the appropriate level of financial assistance each month to meet their basic needs. However, clients whose income is fairly static will be able to report their income less frequently, as little as once per year, based on their individual circumstances. This will make reporting easier for about 85 percent of AISH clients who have no other source of income than their AISH living allowance, or have a very stable income. This increased flexibility in reporting income will result in fewer incidents of overpayments and underpayments. When overpayments do occur, the proposed Act ensures clients will first have the opportunity to access a Citizens' Appeal Panel for a review of the overpayment before a debt is assessed and collection action is taken. In addition to the Citizens' Appeal Panel process, the changes will allow for the government to consider special circumstances, and if appropriate, excuse the client from repaying the amount they were overpaid.

Post-secondary system to grow by over 7,000 spaces: By doubling the increase in funding to $61 million for new student spaces in Budget 2006, there will be an additional 2,400 spaces in universities, colleges, and technical institutes across the province this coming September. In addition, funding for 880 spaces will be provided to Grant MacEwan College for new bachelor's degree programs. The total number of new spaces will reach over 7,000 once there are students enrolled in each year of the new post-secondary programs.

A special thanks to the constituents who have taken the time to write to me on various Alberta issues. Your thoughtful and well expressed ideas keep Alberta moving towards an even brighter future

Public Consultations

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

See Alana's past Newsletters

As the MLA for Calgary Bow, I am always available to assist constituents. Should you have any questions or comments, I can be reached at:

Consituency Office (Calgary):   Edmonton: Toll-Free:

(403) 216-5400 (780) 415-9459 310-0000