Media releases

EDMONTON—Statistics released yesterday in a new national study on early childhood education in Canada by the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, show that Alberta still provides the lowest support to childcare of all the provinces.The report shows that Alberta spent $195/child under 12 years of age (national average = $663/child), and only provides $1429 per licensed childcare space (national average = $3560).

EDMONTON—Public Interest Alberta’s Task Force on Post-Secondary Education launched a province-wide advocacy campaign today to convince the government that investments in advanced education are vital in these difficult economic times. Cuts to post-secondary education are already having an impact on many institutions, and deeper cuts will significantly reduce the quality of education in Alberta.

EDMONTON—On the day before Canada Day, PIA is releasing a new report revealing that Alberta has the least democratic political financing laws in Canada, and calling for broad reforms based on effective practices in other parts of Canada.

EDMONTON—Minister Liepert’s latest approach to a pharmacare plan for seniors has shifted the whole model to a means tested insurance system that will not help the majority of seniors.

EDMONTON—The Alberta government has just completed a closed door consultation with invited stakeholders to discuss increasing the cost for long-term care residents to encourage private corporations to build more facilities. Representatives from private corporations who participated in the consultation said they would be unable to commit to building new long-term care centres unless the price was increased to at least $100 per day from the current maximum of $54.

EDMONTON—“As the recession continues Albertans will need to put pressure on the government to make wise choices that will address the priorities of the majority of our province’s people,” says Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “Our new Environics public opinion poll clearly shows that two-thirds of Albertans want the government to play an active role in dealing with the economic situation and not just sit back and support the old “leave-it-to-the-market” approach to the economy.”

EDMONTON—Public Interest Alberta (PIA) has released documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request into negotiations between a new Texas based company and the government to build 14,000 childcare spaces.