The grand reopening of Alberta is underway, and I want to thank you for all you have done to protect yourselves and your neighbors through the COVID-19 pandemic 鈥� the greatest challenge our province has faced in modern history.
Session has wrapped up and the MLAs, including myself, are finally able to freely travel our constituencies, having face to face meetings, something we have sorely missed for over 17 months. July has been an exciting month, I have been able to get to Brule, Whitecourt, Cadomin, Edson, Hinton, Jasper, and all points in between! It is so nice to see Albertans enjoying West Yellowhead with their family and friends, festivals are opening up, farmer鈥檚 markets are popping up around the constituency, we are open for summer!
Expanding broadband internet in rural Alberta
Alberta鈥檚 United Conservative government includes MLAs who represent almost every rural community in our province and have a direct interest in furthering economic opportunities in regions that were neglected by the previous NDP government. This month, Premier Jason Kenney, Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish, and Associate Minister of Rural Economic Development Nate Horner announced up to $150 million to improve broadband services across the province and ensure that rural, remote, and Indigenous communities will be part of Alberta鈥檚 economic recovery.
At least 12 per cent of Alberta鈥檚 population (approximately 489,000 people living in 201,000 households) do not have access to broadband internet at target speeds of 50/10 Mbps. The majority of these homes are located in rural municipalities, First Nations communities, and Metis Settlements. This has made it difficult to work from home, study remotely, and attract and retain talent. Despite this ongoing concern, no money was allocated under previous governments to addressing the digital divide.
The $150 million investment from Alberta鈥檚 government will be used to begin construction on broadband expansion projects as soon as possible. This investment will create jobs, improve access to health care and education resources, and diversify the economy in rural communities from La Crete to Taber.
Details on how this new funding will roll out will be announced in the weeks to come. This major investment shows our government is committed to ensuring rural Alberta has fast, reliable internet and plays and important part in the economic recovery ahead.
Listening to Albertans鈥� concerns about rural crime
Since the beginning of July, Minister Madu has been meeting with municipal councils, Indigenous leaders, and other stakeholders throughout the province. Starting July 20, the first in a series of town hall meetings scheduled across Alberta will give the public an opportunity to voice their concerns about crime in their communities. The town hall sessions will also be an opportunity to discuss ongoing work to modernize the Police Act, as well as update the public on the progress of the government鈥檚 study on the feasibility of establishing a provincial police service to replace the RCMP in Alberta. The town hall schedule can be found at: .
Canada and Alberta reach renewed child care agreement
The Governments of Canada and Alberta have signed an agreement on an extension to the Canada鈥揂lberta Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
Through the agreement, the Government of Canada is providing over $290 million in funding over four years to Alberta to improve access to high quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care programs and services. High-quality early learning experiences are essential to the intellectual, emotional, and physical development of our children. Our government will continue to fight for families and children in Alberta, to ensure they have access to affordable, accessible, flexible, and inclusive child care. Because every child deserves the best possible start in life.
Martin Long, MLA
West Yellowhead
