Bill 206 Designation of Child Access Exchange Centres Act:
On Thursday, March 16, I introduced Bill 206 for First Reading. The bill, Designation of Child Access Exchange Centres Act, is a comprehensive piece of legislation which is designed to help facilitate access exchange of children in a positive environment. Currently, following the divorce of their parents, about 30% of children lose the involvement of one of those parents in their lives. The purpose of Bill 206 is to create a provincial certification for facilities, such as day cares, to become child-centric environments that can be assigned by courts and lawyers in cases of separation or divorce for the neutral drop-off and pick-up of children. Secondly, the certification would require the facility to document whether access orders are being followed so that if the matter returns to court there is evidence of the access exchange or lack thereof. Certification would be based upon child appropriate facilities and staff training. I expect that the Bill will begin debate in Second Reading on April 24th.

Alberta Information and Communications Technology Institute: In addition to the Government of Alberta ICT committee, I have now been named co-chair of the newly formed Alberta Information and Communications Technology Institute, to provide leadership and guidance in expanding Alberta's information and communications technology sector (ICT). Establishing an ICT institute is the next step in implementing the Alberta Science and Research Authority's ICT strategy "Information and Communications Technology: A Strategy for Alberta". This strategy has led to many successful projects and the creation of substantial infrastructure. The Institute's board will provide strategic advice and policy recommendations and set priorities for research. It will expand and update the province's existing ICT research and innovation strategy and provide direction for public investment in research and development activities throughout the province.

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