Government’s discriminatory differential minimum wage will hurt both youth and other low wage workers
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.
Read moreAlready severe government revenue shortage will worsen with handouts to corporations: Public Interest Alberta
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.
Read moreBlue ribbon panel to balance budget looks to be justification for cuts to public services
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has announced a blue ribbon panel to make recommendations on how to balance Alberta’s budget without increasing taxes.
Read moreNDP child care plan would build on success of pilot project
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.
Read moreUCP education platform misses most critical issue facing K-12 students – classroom conditions
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.
Read moreAdvocacy groups: Good direction for long term care, but beds must be public
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.
Read morePublic Interest Alberta urges support for Trustee Stirling’s pro-public motion
EDMONTON - Public Interest Alberta, a non-partisan progressive advocacy organization, encouraged support for Edmonton Public Trustee Bridget Stirling’s motion, to ensure the public nature of school ownership and operation:
Read moreNew campaign says “Alberta Seniors Deserve Better” in 2019 provincial election
EDMONTON - Friends of Medicare and Public Interest Alberta premiered a series of four videos to kick off their new campaign Alberta Seniors Deserve Better, which highlights the issues facing seniors in the continuing care system, and encourages Albertans to sign a petition to call on all of Alberta’s political parties to make strengthening seniors’ care a top priority in the 2019 provincial election.
Read moreResults of child care survey show vital importance of government's $25-a-day program
Budget 2019 should focus on strong public services and fair taxation
Public Interest Alberta’s Executive Director Joel French attended a Government of Alberta consultation on the 2019 provincial budget hosted by Health Minister Sarah Hoffman. He presented five major points of input on the budget:
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