At a Glance: September 26 - October 7
Ontarians Moving to Alberta
While the data is taken from a period preceding the launch of the Alberta is Calling campaign, it seems that many from Canada’s largest province are making the move to the wild rose province. In the second quarter of this year, 6,281 people left Ontario for Alberta. This marks a 6,000 person increase from the same quarter in 2021.
The province also experienced an overall net-migration increase of about 10,000 people moving to Alberta in the last quarter. For comparison sake, Ontario experienced a net loss of 21,000. Other provinces that experienced an increase include Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Province Won’t Participate in Firearms Program
Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro announced that Alberta will be opposing efforts from the federal government to confiscate firearms in our province. In addition to intervening in six judicial review applications, the province will be invoking parts of the Provincial Police Service Agreement to advise that the “confiscation program is not an objective, priority or goal of the province or the provincial police service” and that it is not “appropriate to the effective and efficient delivery of police services”.
The province has also indicated that it will dispute any attempt to direct RCMP to serve as confiscation agents by invoking Article 23.0 of the PPSA. In response, federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino has said that “to simply issue a letter saying we’re going to resist, we’re not going to co-operate with the federal government is wrong. It’s an abdication of responsibility to opt out of a federal law when it relates to firearms.”
WestJet Partners with Provincial Government
The Alberta-based airline has announced it plans to double its capacity in Calgary before 2030. According to the press release, WestJet is expected to invest more than $7 billion to improve aircraft capacity in Calgary, including the 787-9 Dreamliner which can handle intercontinental routes. The agreement also includes $7.1 million in capital and $1.06 million in operational funding for Mount Royal University’s pilot program.
On the partnership, Premier Jason Kenney said “this is a blockbuster day for Alberta and a game-changer for our economy. Diversification and economic development are happening right here in Alberta.” In addition to the education funding, the province is committing to the purchase of a 737 simulator and $5 million per year for three years for training cost offsets.
Edmonton Named UNESCO Learning City
Alberta’s capital city has become the first Canadian municipality to be named to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. According to the release, “the Network connects education, training and cultural institutions and engaging a wide range of partners such as public-sector representatives, civil society organizations and employers is a key feature of UNESCO learning cities. They effectively mobilize resources in every sector to promote inclusive and quality learning, from basic to higher education.”
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi shared his thoughts on the announcement, saying "as a community of learners, we celebrate this opportunity to connect with like-minded cities around the world. Our openness, cultural diversity and curiosity make Edmonton an excellent addition to the Global Network of Learning Cities. Our ambition is to attract a million more people over the coming few decades to our city of eager learners, energetically looking to embrace new ideas, emerging technologies, and ways of working and learning."
Psychedelic Treatment to Become Regulated
A Canadian first, Alberta has announced that it will begin to regulate the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs. Medical directors will be required to apply for a license in order to treat mental health disorders with psychedelics and will not be permitted to charge fees to patients for the drugs. It is expected that the regulations will go into effect in January. Associate Minister Mike Ellis said that “in order to fully realize the potential of this emerging field, we must have high standards of care in place to protect Albertans accessing care and ensure the legitimacy of the therapy.”
Those qualified to administer psychedelics will only be permitted to do so in medical facilities (unless the patient is in palliative care) and patients must be supervised while under the influence of the drugs. Among the drugs included in the regulations are psilocybin, psilocin, MDMA, LSD, mescaline (peyote), DMT, 5 methoxy DMT, and ketamine.