Representatives from human service agencies announced on May 7 that they are deeply concerned that the provincial budget will not resolve the on-going staffing crisis that is limiting their capacity to provide services to children, youth and families in crisis and to persons with disabilities.

Agencies estimate that funds contained in this year's provincial budget will amount average funding increases of less than 5% across the sector, a rate that barely keeps pace with inflation. 

To read the May 7 media release, click here.

An increasing gap in resourcing between government-delivered and community-based services has been allowed to widen leaving our most vulnerable citizens without proper assistance. Find out how you can call attention to this growing crisis and demand action from the provincial government. Click here

Three advocates for seniors met for an hour on April 30 with Premier Stelmach and MAry Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports, to discuss aspects of the continuing care system for Alberta seniors.  

With growing public concerns about access to and quality of continuing care services and about accountability, there is a real need for better understanding of these concerns by public decision-makers.

PIA's Seniors Task Force has consistently advocated for five immediate steps to address the care crisis in Alberta. Click here to read more about the crisis in seniors care.

Click here to read the May 6, 2008 media release.

On April 4-6, Public Interest Alberta hosted Not for Sale, a conference about the many faces of privatization and how to promote public options in today's Alberta. Not for Sale featured local, national and international leaders in advocacy and research, including keynote speakers Avi Lewis and Maude Barlow.

Watch for the full conference report to be released this month.

PDF conference brochure

Printable conference poster

Childcare advocates are still calling on the government of Alberta to account for $25.9 million it received this summer as our share of the federal transfer to create more childcare spaces.

On March 7, Public Interest Alberta released the results of its request for information about the fate of the $25.9 million. The documents show that the government designated the funds for general revenue, rather than for the intended increase in childcare spaces. Childcare in Alberta remains in crisis.

Click here to read the March 7 media release. 

On February 1, Public Interest Alberta, the Alberta Association of Services for Children and Families (AASCF) and the Who Cares Alberta campaign released a new survey of community agencies that shows that the crisis is worsening.

To read the February 1 media release, click here. To view the full survey, click here.

An increasing gap in resourcing between government-delivered and community-based services has been allowed to widen leaving our most vulnerable citizens without proper assistance.

Organizations--such as women's shelters, crisis centers and counselling services-- provide caring, attentive and unique support. But, the gap in resourcing has been allowed to widen to a point where the community-based service provider sector can no longer provide quality supports.

Find out how you can call attention to this growing crisis and demand action from the provincial government. Click here

On December 20, Public Interest Alberta called on the provincial government to implement six proposals to promote democratic reform and renewal in Alberta. The proposals were developed through lengthy consultation in and following PIA's major conference on democratic reform and eight forums across the province, and they reflect realistic, informed and absolutely essential measures to remedy Alberta's democratic deficit.