Media releases

EDMONTON - Public Interest Alberta, a progressive advocacy organization, today announced the Just Future Essay Contest, a province-wide essay contest to encourage young Albertans aged 14 - 30 to share the biggest and boldest ideas for an Alberta where nobody is left behind.

Under the UCP government, Albertans have been struggling with an affordability crisis even as large corporations post record profits and the provincial government is projecting a large in-year surplus. Food prices are up 8.8% since 2021 and food bank usage is up 26% in Calgary this past year. This government has consistently invested in an asymmetrical “recovery” that puts shareholder profits ahead of Albertans’ bottom line, and Albertans are falling further and further behind and demanding real leadership.

EDMONTON - The Edmonton Journal has released further revelations of disturbing (and potentially illegal) “bad tenant” lists. In response, Public Interest Alberta sent a letter to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta, requesting the launch of an investigation into these “bad tenant” lists and their potential breach of personal privacy protections.

EDMONTON -  Yesterday, a committee of Edmonton’s City Council met and discussed several reports related to the housing and homelessness crisis facing the city. Advocacy group Public Interest Alberta is urging all levels of government to step up to fulfill their obligations to ensure housing is a human right for every human being in Alberta and across the country.

Secret Landlord Facebook group blacklisting Albertans in Edmonton points shows need for overhaul of renters rights in the Province.

EDMONTON - Yesterday, the Edmonton Journal exposed a deeply troubling ‘do not rent’ Facebook group with more than 440 individuals accused of being ‘bad tenants’. In response, Public Interest Alberta is asking the Provincial government and City of Edmonton to strengthen regulations and bylaws to protect renting Albertans, beginning with an urgent investigation into whether personal privacy or human rights protections have been breached in this circumstance.  

EDMONTON - Today, Edmonton City Council reviewed the city auditor’s report on homelessness which finds the city has no corporate wide plan, no central co-ordinator or body, and no evaluation system. In response, Public Interest Alberta’s Executive Director Bradley Lafortune issued the following statement:

Public Interest Alberta and Friends of Medicare are recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by calling again on the UCP Government to bring back a Seniors Advocate.

EDMONTON - “The UCP government continues to sputter in chaos, as elder abuse remains a real crisis facing Alberta seniors. They deserve better than empty rhetoric from this government,” said Bradley Lafortune, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “The UCP government needs to recognize Elder Abuse Awareness Day by taking action starting with creating an independent seniors advocate.”

Today, Public Interest Alberta and Friends of Medicare are recognizing Alberta Seniors’ Week by calling on the UCP Government to bring back a Seniors’ Advocate.

“Alberta seniors deserve better than empty rhetoric from this government,” said Bradley Lafortune, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “Seniors in this province are calling for real action on health care, affordable prescriptions, and income security.”

“That’s why we are calling on this government to bring back an independent seniors advocate as a first step to supporting seniors to live in dignity,” said Chris Gallaway, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare. “Instead, this government has ignored the calls of seniors across Alberta and continued their reckless agenda of cuts and privatization.”

EDMONTON - As more families struggle with an escalating affordability crisis, MNP LTD. released a survey which shows one in three Albertans do not know how to get out of debt or where to turn to for help.

EDMONTON - Public Interest Alberta stands alongside the Health Sciences Association of Alberta and all who are taking a stand for health care and workers’ rights to demand paid sick days for all workers.