A special thanks to those constituents who take the time to share with me their views and concerns on the Government of Alberta’s programs and services. It is important to hear your views, as I endeavor to be your voice and carry out my responsibilities to the citizens of this province. My sincere best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Alternate Payment Plans Help Recruit And Retain Pediatricians And Improve Service Delivery:

The University of Calgary and the Calgary Health Region have recruited 17 pediatric specialists with the help of $4.5 million in funding from Alberta Health and Wellness, to boost Alberta’s corps of academic, research and clinical physicians. The funding is part of an alternate funding plan (AFP) that ensures a more transparent and streamlined compensation arrangement for academic physicians, recognizing their multiple roles in teaching, research, administration, and clinical services. This plan will increase physician flexibility by helping them develop innovative service delivery models tailored to their own needs, and those of their patients. This also provides consistency and predictability in physician remuneration, aiding the government, health regions, universities and physicians in balancing budgets. The funding will help us to retain our best and brightest, to ensure that their research ultimately benefits Albertans and the health system they cherish. After all, the more worthwhile medical research that goes on, the better off we all are.

Drop In Alberta Smoking Rate Equals 44,000 Fewer Smokers:

Alberta currently has 44,000 fewer smokers in the province, according to Statistics Canada’s 2002 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS). The largest reduction in smoking is among young Albertans.

New Auto Insurance Web Site Addresses Proposed Reforms:

A new consumer focused website will keep Albertans informed about auto insurance and the steps the government is taking to address rising premiums. The web site will update Albertans on proposed government reforms to auto insurance, and will provide consumers with general automobile insurance information. Please visit www.autoinsurance.gov.ab.ca to learn more about the Auto Insurance Reform Implementation Team; how insurance is currently regulated in the province; what coverage is currently mandatory and what coverage is optional; and who to talk to if you have a complaint about your insurance.

A Great Place To Learn: Education In Alberta Shines As Students Head Back To Class:

As students spent this past month turning their attention back to school our thoughts are also on education. Alberta Learning has developed a back-to-school kit of helpful tips for students, as well as information about our learning system to help Albertans navigate the waters and become informed about education in Alberta. This kit is full of facts and figures about Alberta’s education system along with helpful information for students, teachers and parents and can be found online at www.learning.gov.ab.ca.

Annual Survey Provides Picture Of Class Sizes In Alberta:

It’s natural for parents to want their child to receive the best education in the world. So it’s no surprise that when they hear talk of overcrowding in Alberta classrooms, parents can’t help but be concerned. We know parents want answers about class sizes. What is really going on in Alberta’s classrooms? What does this mean for my child? There are many questions, and I would like to hopefully allay some concerns parents may have. Each year, Alberta Learning conducts an annual survey of class sizes. The last survey, conducted during the 2002-03 school year, shows that class sizes, on average, are much lower than most expect and that they actually went down last year from the year before. By no means are we making a judgment on whether classes are too big, too small or just right. We are only presenting statistical facts based on feedback from 98% of Alberta schools. The survey shows that Kindergarten classes last year had an average of 19.5 students, while Grade 1 to 6 classes had an average of 23.2 students; and Grade 7 to 9 math, language arts, social studies and science classes averaged 25.5 students. Since the survey was released, there have been questions about the methodology that was used. One misconception is that Alberta Learning used pupil teacher ratio to come up with its results, which factors in all the counsellors, special education staff and central office staff that are not actually in schools. I would like to clarify that this is not the case at all. The class size survey is based strictly on data provided to the department from schools about the actual number of students in the classroom. We will continue to monitor class sizes to ensure classes continue to provide a learning environment that ensures the success of your children. For more details on the class size survey, I encourage you to visit Alberta Learning’s website at www.learning.gov.ab.ca

Seeking Public Input: