At a Glance - January 31, 2024

Alberta Asks Munis for List of Agreements with Ottawa

Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver asked Alberta municipalities in mid-December to report back to the province by January 31 with details of all agreements they have with the federal government. This move comes as a new law requiring the federal government to work with the province instead of cities is being considered.

Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) President Paul McLaughlin expressed concern over the tricky situation the province’s request places members in, saying, “we have a fruitful relationship with the federal government and the provincial government and will continue to do so. We never want to be caught between the two.” The President of Alberta Municipalities, Tyler Gandam, expressed similar concern, adding that some of the group’s 260 members “have questions about the provincial government’s goal, the scope and timing of this request, [and] the amount of effort needed to provide a thorough response by January 31.”

In a written statement, Minister McIver said, “Alberta’s government will continue to stand up for our constitutional jurisdiction while ensuring we are working with municipalities to receive equitable funding from the federal government.”

Concerns About $10/Day Childcare from Sector

The Association of Alberta Childcare Entrepreneurs (AACE), which represents childcare centres across Alberta, is calling on the federal and provincial governments to provide emergency funding ahead of the January 31 deadline to sign the Affordability Grant Agreement. The Affordability Grant agreement aims to cover administrative, overhead, and educator costs, while recipients must commit to working with the government as part of the federal-provincial childcare agreement, which promises parents that they will pay an average of $10 per day for childcare by the end of 2026.

The AACE says the plan will produce significant financial shortfalls for childcare facilities across the province. According to the letter sent to Finance Minister Nate Horner, operators who opt-in will be required to reduce fees by 50 percent while the province covers the remainder. However, according to the AACE, grant reimbursement is often delayed by 40 to 45 days, which may force operators to take out loans and lines of credit to finance their operations while they await repayment.

In a statement made by the Children and Family Services Ministry, press secretary Ashli Barret said the AACE represents only around 10% of all childcare operators, and of the province’s 2,250 operators, the vast majority have already signed on to the agreement. Barret added that the feedback they have thus far received from the majority is an appreciation for the reliable funding the government provides through the agreement and the increased enrolment they have seen as childcare has become more affordable. The statement also says that claims are processed 5-10 days from submission, and work is currently underway to create a new system to streamline and improve payment processes to address operators’ concerns around disbursement times.

AMA Speaks Out on Primary Care

Dr. Paul Parks, president of the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), has warned that new data from the AMA shows 91 per cent of family doctors in Alberta are concerned about the continued financial viability of their practices, including one in five who feel they won’t last more than six months.

According to Dr. Parks, inflation and soaring overheads have brought family doctors and rural physicians to the brink of disaster. A survey published by ThinkHQ supports Dr. Park’s concerns. Results from the survey suggest that more than 60 percent of Alberta’s family physicians are considering leaving the Alberta healthcare system. Furthermore, the survey revealed that almost half of newer physicians are considering a move out of Alberta.

Health Minister LaGrange said in response to Dr. Parks’ concerns that the “government is committed to addressing challenges facing the health system, including in primary and acute care.” LaGrange pointed to the $200-million announcement over two years for “stabilization measures” made alongside Parks and Premier Smith. “Once the funding flows from the federal government to the province in April 2024, Alberta’s government remains committed to providing this funding as soon as possible,” she said.

Oilsands Pollutants Greater than Reports Show

A new study published in the academic journal Science suggests that Alberta oilsands operations produce far more potentially harmful air pollutants than are officially reported.

The study measured concentrations of organic carbon emissions in the air by flying overhead and taking samples. Those numbers were then compared to estimated amounts, prepared using ground-based data, and reported by oilsands operations. Researchers from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Yale University found levels were between 20 and 64 times higher than those reported by industry.

The study's results, which highlight the gap between industry estimates and actual concentrations found by the researchers, have caught the attention of Pathways Alliance, which represents major oilsands producers. Pathways spokesperson Mark Cameron said in a statement that the study has "identified a difference between ground measurements and those collected in an aircraft that warrant further review."