Category: Uncategorized

There is currently one eligible candidate for the nomination:

Jason Heistad

Jason Heistad has lived in Innisfail for the past 38 years, with deep roots in our constituency and family members in Innisfail and Sylvan Lake.

He is a political veteran, currently serving a 4th term as a member of Innisfail Town Council with 12 years of municipal experience. Jason works for the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) as their Executive Secretary-Treasurer, second only to the President of that organization.

Jason cares deeply about the issues that matter to all of us in Alberta:  strong public systems of healthcare and education, affordable living, good jobs in a resilient economy, clean air and water, and so much more.  As our MLA, he is prepared to fight for these issues and everything else that matters to residents of our riding.

Buy your membership today and share with your friends.

If you can’t make it, consider donating as generously as you can to Jason’s campaign so that we can put on a strong campaign against the UCP:  https://act.albertandp.ca/donate/INSL 

• Monday February 6th
  6:30pm – 8:30pm (Mountain time)
  Doors open at 6:30pm, and the meeting will begin at 7pm.
• Innisfail Public Library
  5300A 55 St Cl, Innisfail, AB (map)

RSVP

The News met with Notley at the Italian Centre in Emerald Hills (the location was chosen by the NDP) earlier this month for a sit-down year-end interview.

“From what we’re and our candidates are hearing at the doorsteps is that people are not all that interested in the drama around the Sovereignty Act, but what they’re really concerned about is having someone that will provide long-lasting, predictable relief on the affordability crisis, they want a government that is going to be dedicated to restoring and improving our public healthcare system, and they want a government that is going to be focused on a collaborative and strategic effort to recover the economy in a sustainable, resilient, job-creating way,” she said.

On the Sovereignty Act, in particular, Notley called it “worse than advertised” when it was being debated in the Legislature. She said the NDP heard from concerned investors, business owners, various Chamber of Commerce, oil and gas representatives, who have said it will create “huge investment uncertainty because no one knows what the laws are.”

“A perfect example is here in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland… many of those investments depend on partnerships with multiple layers of government. Perfect example of that is the Air Products announcement that just came out, which was really good news, but the vast majority of government funding to get that project over the finish line was federal money. Now you have a provincial government that is having a legislative tantrum… that makes investors skittish.”

That same day, Friday, Dec. 2, Rachel Notley visited Sherwood Park to meet with the local fire chief and Strathcona County Emergency Services members to discuss the progress of the Community Response Unit pilot and how the department was handling ongoing EMS pressures, which has been a topic of concern across the Edmonton region and the wider province for more than two years.

If elected, she vowed that she would focus on hiring more emergency services positions and turn current jobs into permanent full-time placement with benefits. In addition, more healthcare workers added to the front line, especially doctors, would help with the backlogs currently being experienced in ERs.

“It’s complex, but we need to be more responsive to individual community ideas and provide the resources that are necessary,” she said. “We need to restore predictability and stability. We need to properly provide the right resources to the system and recruit more healthcare professionals… The bottom line is this, whether you live in Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Calgary, or Cardston, they should have an ambulance come within minutes after they call for a medical emergency, and that’s not what we’re experiencing right now in Alberta.”

Looking more broadly at the overall healthcare system, Notley pointed to the importance of providing more homecare support, investing in more mental health care, taking a holistic approach to the opioid crisis, focusing on recruiting more family doctors, and looking at ways to reorganize primary health. In addition, she said the province could look into making more municipalities lean on an integrated emergency service, much like that of Strathcona County’s, as it’s been proven to be more efficient.

On the municipality front, which has been impacted by lower MSI funding, higher provincial lending rates, and higher policing costs, Notley pointed to the possible solution of the NDP’s Partners in Prosperity Act, which would look at the long-term revenue sharing benefits from oil and gas, and providing funding predictability to municipalities. In addition, the party plans to invest in affordable housing, which would take further pressure off of municipalities.

To address inflationary pressures, Notley applauded Premier Danielle Smith’s recent supports that will help some Albertan families, but those won’t help everyone, especially those who live alone. The NDP Leader would like to see more meaningful legislation for electricity and utility prices, car insurance, and student tuition.

Alberta NDP Opposition Leader Rachel Notley sat down with Postmedia to recap 2022 and look to the battles ahead

Alberta NDP Opposition Leader Rachel Notley will be aiming to paint hers as the provincial party of predictability and stability leading up to next spring’s election.

After a politically tumultuous year during which the ruling UCP was thrown into a hotly contested leadership race that brought Premier Danielle Smith to power, Notley sat down with Postmedia to recap 2022 and look to the battles ahead.

“We need a government that will provide the stable, predictable leadership that will drive long-term economic recovery and job creation,” said Notley.

She said she hopes the ballot box question will be on who can handle the basic responsibilities of a provincial government, characterizing the UCP as unfocused and distracted with infighting over the past year.

“I think Albertans are going to look at the UCP and, on one hand, they’re going to see chaos, and on the other hand, they’re going to see an NDP that cares and that is competent, and that is focused on delivering on the issues that matter,” she said.

She would later drive home a similar message to a crowd of business leaders at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, emphasizing that Smith’s Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, which asserts the province’s ability to not enforce federal laws, will scare away investment.

Recent surveys have put the NDP ahead or in a statistical tie with the UCP, but New Democrats will have their work cut out for them in convincing some voters of their economic acumen.

A recent Abacus Data survey put the NDP ahead of the ruling party among decided voters by eight points, but when respondents were asked which political party they trust most to deal with the economy, the UCP held the advantage on the economy — 39 per cent to the NDP’s 33 per cent.

Flipping the UCP’s habit of dubbing the NDP’s carbon tax “job-killing,” New Democrats now rarely mention Smith’s controversial sovereignty act without in turn calling it “job-killing.”

“Those new opportunities that so many regular Albertans are hoping will be there for them will be at best delayed because a lot of (investors) are just going to hold back to see where the chips fall because things have gotten so ridiculous,” Notley said, adding the more important concerns she hears are around health care and affordability.

“That’s what people talk to me about. They don’t talk to me about the sovereignty act,” said Notley.

Her party has spent some of the year pitching planks in its Alberta’s Future plan, which will fill out its election platform, and getting a head start on the UCP in nominating candidates around the province.

Its recently-released jobs and investment plan calls for the expansion of tax credits to emerging sectors, a sped-up regulatory process for businesses with good records, and boosts for the Alberta Petrochemical Incentive Program and Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation.

Corporate tax rate ‘not getting any value for money’

When it comes to the corporate tax rate — bumped to eight per cent from 12 per cent by the UCP — Notley didn’t rule out an increase if she’s elected. However, she did commit to keeping the most competitive tax jurisdiction in the country, saying before any changes are made, she would consult with business leaders on how to best attract investment.

“I do think there’s value to being the lowest, but we’re not getting any value for money right now.”

When asked what her biggest regret in 2022 was, Notley deflected to the UCP’s record on health care, highlighting her attempt to pass a health-care bill that would have established public health care delivery standards.

“I regret that we’ve not been as successful as we could have been in driving the government to take that matter more seriously,” she said.

Earlier this month, pediatricians from the Alberta Medical Association called for temporary mask requirements in schools and, later, the United Nurses of Alberta called for an indoor mask mandate to blunt the transmission of respiratory viruses, or “even a strong statement” urging people to wear face coverings indoors. Instead of backing up calls for mask mandates, Notley pointed to a lack of leadership from the government in simply encouraging the public to mask and get vaccinated.

Nearly a quarter of Alberta small businesses at risk of closure: CFIB

New data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shows many Alberta small businesses have worsening optimism ahead of the new year, while nearly a quarter are risking closure.

According to the CFIB’s small business recovery dashboard, 24 per cent of small Alberta businesses are at risk of shutting their doors — the highest in the country.

Manitoba followed Alberta with 20 per cent of its small businesses risking closure, followed by B.C., Ontario and PEI at 19 per cent.

CFIB Alberta director Annie Dormuth told Global News the retail, agriculture and construction sectors have felt the biggest impacts.

“All of these compounding challenges and a slow economic recovery,” Dormuth said. “Every business owner thought the end of 2022 was going to be a big economic boom… that simply was not the case.”

New data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shows many Alberta small businesses have worsening optimism ahead of the new year, while nearly a quarter are risking closure.

According to the CFIB’s small business recovery dashboard, 24 per cent of small Alberta businesses are at risk of shutting their doors — the highest in the country.

Manitoba followed Alberta with 20 per cent of its small businesses risking closure, followed by B.C., Ontario and PEI at 19 per cent.

CFIB Alberta director Annie Dormuth told Global News the retail, agriculture and construction sectors have felt the biggest impacts.

“All of these compounding challenges and a slow economic recovery,” Dormuth said. “Every business owner thought the end of 2022 was going to be a big economic boom… that simply was not the case.”

Nationally, small business owners have a more optimistic outlook on 2023 than they did last month, but short term confidence is dwindling.

CFIB’s small business confidence indicator showed short-term confidence in the economy amongst Alberta small businesses sits at 44 index points, which is relatively unchanged from last month. The long-term confidence index increased nearly three points to 52.9 index points.

Dormuth said the lack of short-term confidence amongst the province’s small business owners is due to uncertainty of what the first few months of the year will bring.

“All of this is compounded by challenges, in the form of rising interest rates and inflation,” Dormuth said. “All of that is putting a lot of uncertainty on business owners.”

In Edmonton, that uncertainty has created new challenges for Paul Shufelt, who is the chef and proprietor of Robert Spencer Hospitality.

The group offers catering and owns four restaurants, and has weathered a tough 2022.

“The pandemic seems to be subsiding a little bit, we’re going to get back to normal. Oh wait, now we have major supply chain issues, staffing shortages. If that’s not enough, we’ve got inflation and the cost of everything doubling or tripling — if you can find it in the first place,” Shufelt told Global News. “It’s sort of been death by 1,000 cuts.”

The business, Shufelt said, is working daily on a delicate balance of charging enough to keep the doors open, while also keeping prices fair for their customers.

While there’s hope January 2023 will be better for business than the year prior, with the now-eased pandemic health measures, Shufelt said there is still concern over a “looming recession” and interest rate hikes.

“It’s apprehension,” he said. “It’s still looking for that light at the end of the tunnel.”

However, there is “moderate” optimism at Madame Premier, a retail store in Calgary’s Inglewood neighbourhood.

Its founder, Sarah Elder-Chamanara, said the year was more challenging than expected, but sales improved with a return to normal, especially on Black Friday and during the holidays.

“December is such a critical month for retailers,” she told Global News. “How well we do in December is a barometer of how much strength and confidence we can have going into the new year.”

The business didn’t take on pandemic debt like many others across the province.

CFIB data showed two thirds of Alberta small businesses are still working to pay off debt incurred over the COVID-19 pandemic.

The @albertaNDP just set three fundraising records: 2022 was our record year, the fourth quarter was our record quarter, and December 31st was our record day.

Change is coming, Alberta.

We’re focused on the road ahead

Support for Alberta’s NDP from Albertans out-paced results from the last quarter with over $1.4 million raised including more than 3,200 additional unique contributions compared to Q1.

“It’s so encouraging to see such a rise in support time and time again from Albertans. I am so thankful to those standing with Alberta’s NDP so we can work towards critical change for the province,” said Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley. “We’re once again seeing a government distracted by trying to save their own jobs, instead of dealing with the issues that Albertans are facing everyday like the rising cost of living and lack of access to public healthcare.

“Alberta is ready for a change, and my team and I won’t stop working for Alberta families and businesses.”

Elections Alberta released second quarter results today, seeing Alberta’s NDP raising $1,430,164.06 from over 31,000 unique contributions. That is an increase of more than 3,200 unique contributions from the first quarter of this year.

“Continuing to see a rise in unique contributions, and steady support from Albertans every quarter, is incredibly inspiring to see the unified appetite for change across the province,” said Alberta NDP Provincial Secretary Brandon Stevens. “This shows us that Albertans in every corner of the province want change, and are tired of the actions of the current and distracted government.”

Alberta’s NDP raised more than double the UCP, which Elections Alberta reports at $521,175 for Q2. This total does not include unverifiable numbers from UCP constituency associations. In 2021, the UCP passed the Election Statutes Amendment Act ahead of their leadership review to allow them to hide their constituency fundraising from Elections Alberta.

“I’m very proud that Alberta’s NDP continues to report our full fundraising numbers and continue to be transparent and truthful with Albertans,” said Stevens. “The UCP have a reputation of being dishonest about what happens behind closed doors, and while they are engrossed in the drama and attacks of their own leadership race, Albertan’s clearly can’t trust the UCP to be accountable.”

After the rules to enter the leadership race were announced by the UCP, it was revealed that candidates would have to submit a $175,000 fee for a chance to run. There are seven confirmed candidates for the UCP leadership race.

“During a time where we’re seeing the highest rate of inflation we have in over 40 years and our emergency healthcare systems continue to close for days and weeks at a time, the UCP are focused on gaining power and have been attacking Albertans along the way,” said Notley. “We haven’t seen them address any of the issues facing families now, or make commitments to build a better future.

“Alberta’s NDP continues to be focused on the road ahead, and how to create a better province for every Albertan through concrete policies and change that Albertans are so clearly desperate for.”

We’re focused on the road ahead

Support for Alberta’s NDP from Albertans out-paced results from the last quarter with over $1.4 million raised including more than 3,200 additional unique contributions compared to Q1.

“It’s so encouraging to see such a rise in support time and time again from Albertans. I am so thankful to those standing with Alberta’s NDP so we can work towards critical change for the province,” said Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley. “We’re once again seeing a government distracted by trying to save their own jobs, instead of dealing with the issues that Albertans are facing everyday like the rising cost of living and lack of access to public healthcare.

“Alberta is ready for a change, and my team and I won’t stop working for Alberta families and businesses.”

Elections Alberta released second quarter results today, seeing Alberta’s NDP raising $1,430,164.06 from over 31,000 unique contributions. That is an increase of more than 3,200 unique contributions from the first quarter of this year.

“Continuing to see a rise in unique contributions, and steady support from Albertans every quarter, is incredibly inspiring to see the unified appetite for change across the province,” said Alberta NDP Provincial Secretary Brandon Stevens. “This shows us that Albertans in every corner of the province want change, and are tired of the actions of the current and distracted government.”

Alberta’s NDP raised more than double the UCP, which Elections Alberta reports at $521,175 for Q2. This total does not include unverifiable numbers from UCP constituency associations. In 2021, the UCP passed the Election Statutes Amendment Act ahead of their leadership review to allow them to hide their constituency fundraising from Elections Alberta.

“I’m very proud that Alberta’s NDP continues to report our full fundraising numbers and continue to be transparent and truthful with Albertans,” said Stevens. “The UCP have a reputation of being dishonest about what happens behind closed doors, and while they are engrossed in the drama and attacks of their own leadership race, Albertan’s clearly can’t trust the UCP to be accountable.”

After the rules to enter the leadership race were announced by the UCP, it was revealed that candidates would have to submit a $175,000 fee for a chance to run. There are seven confirmed candidates for the UCP leadership race.

“During a time where we’re seeing the highest rate of inflation we have in over 40 years and our emergency healthcare systems continue to close for days and weeks at a time, the UCP are focused on gaining power and have been attacking Albertans along the way,” said Notley. “We haven’t seen them address any of the issues facing families now, or make commitments to build a better future.

A nomination meeting to select the Calgary-North NDP candidate in the next provincial election will be held on Saturday, December 17th.

Voting will take place at the Beddington Theatre Arts Centre, 375 Bermuda Dr. NW, on December 17th from 2:30 pm until 5:30 pm.

There will be an advanced poll at the Panorama Hills Community Centre, 88 Panamount Hill NW, on Wednesday, December 14th, with voting from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.

Mail-in-ballots are also available to members eligble to vote who are unable to vote in person. Mail-in-ballots may be requested from Will O’Connor at woconnor@albertandp.ca. All mail-in-ballot requests must be made prior to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, December 7th.

There are currently three eligible candidate for the nomination:

Rajesh Angral

Hassan Bokhari

Moses Mariam

Albertans deserve better leadership from their government. Rachel Notley is building a strong team of local candidates. Together, we can bring positive change to Alberta by working for a diversified economy that lifts everyone up, we can have the backs of frontline healthcare workers, and stop the race to the bottom.

To be eligible to vote in this nomination you must be a member in good standing with Alberta’s NDP. Further, you must have joined Alberta’s NDP or renewed your membership before 11:59 PM on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022, the 14th day prior to the nomination meeting date, and live in the constituency. Memberships can be purchased or renewed at albertandp.ca/join.

Buy your membership today and share this with your friends!

• Saturday December 17th
  2:30pm – 5:30pm (Mountain time)
  There will be an advanced poll at the Panorama Hills Community Centre, 88 Panamount Hill NW, on Wednesday, December 14th, with voting from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
• Will O’Connor
  woconnor@albertandp.ca

Michelle Baer, city solicitor for the city of Red Deer, will be the NDP candidate for Red Deer-South in the next Alberta provincial election.

“Red Deer is a very unique and special place, and I am so grateful that this community has put their faith in me to be their representative in the next election,” said Baer. “Red Deer is the third largest city in the province, yet is often stuck between being considered a ‘big city’ or a rural area.

“Red Deer deserves a strong voice in government to represent the distinctive issues this area faces. I’m excited for the chance to do the hard work Red Deer needs and deserves.”

As the City Solicitor for 11 years, Baer manages the City’s legal and legislative departments and provides legal and procedural advice to the city departments and City Council. A lawyer by trade, Baer is the City Solicitor for Red Deer providing legal and procedural advice to City Council and support for city operations. Prior to this role, Baer was a lawyer in private practice at Chapman Reibeek LLP.

Since 2015, Baer has been volunteering her time to sponsor refugees and support newcomers to Canada. So far, Baer has organized the sponsorship of two families and continues to support these families as they integrate into the Red Deer community.

“Being a city stuck in the middle, Red Deer has been facing a lot of delays in key decisions under this current government and we need support,” said Baer. “The Red Deer Regional Hospital, as an example, is on the verge of critical failure. We need to repair the relationship between the government and healthcare professionals, and I believe Rachel Notely will do that.”

Baer has three grown children, and lives in Sunnybrook. After completing her law degree, Baer stayed home to raise her three children and went on to work as a program manager for Lacombe and District Family and Community Support services before returning to law.

“Parents and teachers in my community are not happy with the proposed curriculum from the UCP. I’m proud to be joining Alberta’s NDP who have committed to reversing the curriculum in its entirety,” said Baer.

“Others in my community are talking about the struggles they have with the skyrocketing monthly costs. I’m proud to be joining Alberta’s NDP who have a plan to keep more of their money in their pocket.”

Support for Alberta’s NDP from Albertans out-paced results from the last quarter with over $1.4 million raised including more than 3,200 additional unique contributions compared to Q1.

“It’s so encouraging to see such a rise in support time and time again from Albertans. I am so thankful to those standing with Alberta’s NDP so we can work towards critical change for the province,” said Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley. “We’re once again seeing a government distracted by trying to save their own jobs, instead of dealing with the issues that Albertans are facing everyday like the rising cost of living and lack of access to public healthcare.

“Alberta is ready for a change, and my team and I won’t stop working for Alberta families and businesses.”

Elections Alberta released second quarter results today, seeing Alberta’s NDP raising $1,430,164.06 from over 31,000 unique contributions. That is an increase of more than 3,200 unique contributions from the first quarter of this year.

“Continuing to see a rise in unique contributions, and steady support from Albertans every quarter, is incredibly inspiring to see the unified appetite for change across the province,” said Alberta NDP Provincial Secretary Brandon Stevens. “This shows us that Albertans in every corner of the province want change, and are tired of the actions of the current and distracted government.”

Alberta’s NDP raised more than double the UCP, which Elections Alberta reports at $521,175 for Q2. This total does not include unverifiable numbers from UCP constituency associations. In 2021, the UCP passed the Election Statutes Amendment Act ahead of their leadership review to allow them to hide their constituency fundraising from Elections Alberta.

“I’m very proud that Alberta’s NDP continues to report our full fundraising numbers and continue to be transparent and truthful with Albertans,” said Stevens. “The UCP have a reputation of being dishonest about what happens behind closed doors, and while they are engrossed in the drama and attacks of their own leadership race, Albertan’s clearly can’t trust the UCP to be accountable.”

After the rules to enter the leadership race were announced by the UCP, it was revealed that candidates would have to submit a $175,000 fee for a chance to run. There are seven confirmed candidates for the UCP leadership race.

“During a time where we’re seeing the highest rate of inflation we have in over 40 years and our emergency healthcare systems continue to close for days and weeks at a time, the UCP are focused on gaining power and have been attacking Albertans along the way,” said Notley. “We haven’t seen them address any of the issues facing families now, or make commitments to build a better future.

“Alberta’s NDP continues to be focused on the road ahead, and how to create a better province for every Albertan through concrete policies and change that Albertans are so clearly desperate for.”