Media releases

EDMONTON - Public Interest Alberta has released its annual Low Wage Report with data from Statistics Canada which shows that nearly a quarter million of Alberta’s lowest wage workers can legally have their wages cut this year, as the minimum wage has been frozen for the first time since 2010. Inflation was 1.3% for the past year.

EDMONTON - The Blue Ribbon Panel on Alberta’s Finances, which was appointed to make recommendations to the Alberta government on how to cut spending largely related to public services and infrastructure, appears to have gone beyond its mandate by making recommendations related to the province’s tax system. The Panel’s report prominently states, “Raising taxes is not the answer,” while providing no rationale or evidence to support that statement.

EDMONTON - The Government of Alberta released their first quarter financial report with ideologically-driven talking points that they must curtail spending, while continuing to ignore the actual issue facing Alberta’s economy: revenue. 

Bill 8 “a direct threat to public education”

EDMONTON - The Government of Alberta is introducing a new differential minimum wage for workers under the age of 18, cutting youth wages from $15 to $13 per hour. This discriminatory decision will hurt youth who should be receiving equal work for equal pay, and also hurt other workers in low wage sectors.

EDMONTON - The Alberta government will introduce a bill in the upcoming session of the Legislature to cut the tax on the profits of large corporations. They plan to slash the rate from 12 percent to 8 percent over four years ($2.36 billion), which will worsen Alberta’s revenue shortfall to line the pockets of the wealthy.

EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has announced a blue ribbon panel to make recommendations on how to balance Alberta’s budget without increasing taxes.

EDMONTON - Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley has announced her party’s child care plan for the provincial election campaign. It pledges to cap costs for all existing child care spaces at a maximum of $25 per day, as well as add 13,000 new spaces, expanding on her government’s successful pilot project.

EDMONTON - United Conservative Party (UCP) Leader Jason Kenney announced his party’s K-12 education platform. Despite the platform containing several points, issues affecting classroom conditions were not presented as priorities.

Today, Premier Rachel Notley announced that if re-elected, the Alberta New Democratic Party is committed to building an additional 2,000 long term care (LTC) beds. The promised $170 million investment is welcome news to a system that is currently facing serious shortages.