Dear friends,
I’m happy to see that the “deep freeze” many of us experienced over the past week has finally ended and that things are starting to warm up.
I wanted to update you on some of the announcements we’ve made over the past week.
Locally, here in West Yellowhead, I am excited to announce that the province and the town of Hinton partnered to construct the new complex as part of a greater affordable housing development.
Our government contributed $1 million to the project, which will include nine affordable housing units, three of which are barrier-free.
This is part of the Seniors and Housing Capital Plan, which includes $619 million over four years to deliver 2,700 new and regenerated affordable housing units while maintaining 26,400 existing units.
I’d like to extend a big thank you and congratulations to Happy Creek Estates, the Evergreens foundation and the town of Hinton.
This week we announced a number of initiatives to help reduce red tape and administrative burdens.
We streamlined our regulatory process for electricity providers to carry out their winter construction plans.
We also updated food regulations, which will create new business opportunities for bed-and-breakfasts and will also help food banks serve Albertans more effectively.
I am also excited to announce that student loan borrowers will now be able to apply online instead of via paper applications, starting February 7.
This reduces regulatory barriers, and will also save taxpayers roughly $400,000 per year.
Our new red tape reduction strategy aims to improve consultation for industry and Indigenous people.
Our government takes the duty to consult very seriously.
This duty is triggered when a development project may adversely affect treaty or Aboriginal rights, or cultural or harvesting practices.
A revised version of the Government of Alberta’s Proponent Guide to First Nations and Metis Settlement Consultation Procedures will provide a clearer application process to improve overall consultation and give industry and Indigenous communities more certainty when moving development projects forward.
Lastly, I would like to invite you all to attend our Fair Deal Panel in conjunction with the residents in the Lac Ste. Anne – Parkland riding.
MLA Shane Getson and I will be hosting constituents at the Diamond Centre in Mayerthorpe on February 19 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to discuss issues of national unity and how Alberta can get a fair deal from the Federal Government.
Have a wonderful rest of your week.
Sincerely,
Martin Long, MLA
