At a Glance - Week of February 25. 2025
Expedited Funding for Eleven New Alberta Schools
Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides has announced that eleven planned schools were given full construction funding to match Alberta’s high population growth. “Alberta is growing and growing fast, so we need to build schools now. That’s why we are making a generational investment of $8.6 billion, and fast-tracking school construction process. Our commitment to building schools will help us build and open 200,000 spaces for students in communities that need them the most all within the next seven years,” stated Nicolaides.
Airdrie, Chestermere, and Okotoks are each receiving one new school. Three schools will be built in Calgary’s far northeast, and the remaining five will be constructed in Edmonton. It is planned for the schools to be “delivered through two public-private partnership bundles, with next steps being contractor selection and project design.”
Deputy Minister of Health Shuffled
Deputy Minister of Health Andre Tremblay is being removed from his position in the ministry.He will continue to serve as the official administrator of Alberta Health Services as well as its interim-CEO.
Darren Hedley, who was formerly an associate deputy minister, will serve as the Acting Deputy Minister of Health. Commenting on the allegations of improper political pressure on former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos “She had nothing to do with the procurement process… This was all an internal AHS matter,” said Premier Danielle Smith.
Former Energy Minister to Testify on Alberta Coal Mines
Sonya Savage, who previously served as Minister of Energy in Jason Kenny’s government, is being called to testify in a lawsuit against the province by a series of coal mining companies. The lawsuit, worth $14 billion, is based on alleged damages caused by the government’s alternating allowance of mining leases in the Rocky Mountains.
The appeal judges on the case state that “It is clear from the record that former Minister Savage has relevant knowledge others do not have, particularly as it relates to the objectives of reinstating the 1976 Coal Policy, prohibiting ‘mountain top removal,’ and indefinitely suspending coal exploration.” Then-environment minister Jason Nixon, however, is not being required to testify.
Alberta Energy Regulator Receives New CEO
Rob Morgan has been selected by the Board of Directors of the Alberta Energy Regulator (“AER”) to serve as its next CEO. Morgan replaces former CEO Laurie Pushor, who did not seek to renew his contract. “Rob brings a broad base of expertise, most recently as the
President and CEO of Strathcona Resources Ltd. (Strathcona). He is known for his strategic leadership and fostering operational excellence with leading energy companies,” stated AER Board Chair Duncan Au.
Morgan, upon the announcement of his appointment, stated “I’m steadfast in my belief that a modern, efficient, and effective regulator can provide the necessary safeguards for the environment while ensuring industry can deliver on the safe and innovative development of Alberta’s resources.”