Environment

Public Interest Alberta would like to offer our congratulations to the University of Alberta's Parkland Institute on receiving a substantial grant for $2.5 million from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Along with an additional $2 million in matching funding from supportive partners and universities, the money will fund a six-year research project titled "Mapping the Power of the Carbon-Extractive Corporate Resource Sector."

A diverse coalition of Alberta-based groups has come together to push the Alberta government to create tens of thousands of good, sustainable jobs by going green. The Alberta Green Economy Network, comprised of labour, NGOs, green businesses and First Nations supporters, is lobbying the provincial government to act now to reduce emissions and diversify its economy – for the sake of the climate as well as the economy.

In April 2015, Public Interest Alberta released a report entitled "A Just and Fair Alberta: Priorities for Change," which was designed to serve as a key resource for individuals and organizations in Alberta's 2015 provincial election.

EDMONTON—Public Interest Alberta is releasing A Fair and Just Alberta: Priorities for Change, designed to serve as a key resource for individuals and organizations in the coming provincial election.“The election presents a major opportunity for those who care about public services to make a difference in our province,” said Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “It is important that we all take advantage of this chance to advocate effectively for much-needed revenue reform that will provide the foundation for much stronger public services, and to state clearly what should be the priorities for change.”

EDMONTON—The Alberta Government’s 2015-16 budget was released today and brought in some modest changes to our revenue system that will increase the tax load on average Albertans without touching the huge tax benefits for wealthy individuals and corporations.

“Alberta could have fixed our unfair tax system, which still leaves us $10.6 billion lower in tax revenue than the second-lowest tax jurisdiction in Canada,” said Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “Instead, Alberta’s families will feel the impact of larger class sizes, fewer students enrolling in post-secondary education, seniors losing their drug benefits, and cities losing much-needed infrastructure funds.”

"Public Interest Alberta, for one, launched a campaign asking Albertans to consider what they could achieve together by moving to a progressive income tax and rolling back corporate tax cuts. Where is it most important to staunch the bleeding? Where would Albertans benefit most from public investment?How wonderful if a tax movement, imagining alternatives to austerity, were to get its start in Alberta."

"Bill Moore-Kilgannon, president of the Riverdale Community League and executive director of Public Interest Alberta, a non-profit public interest advocacy group, said he has received assurances from the city about the LRT tunnel under housing co-ops, environmental impacts of construction and impacts on roads and valley trails, but nothing in writing."

We recently had the below video commissioned to commemorate our 10th anniversary advocating for the public interest in Alberta. Please share it widely to bring greater awareness to what we do and the issues we advocate for. The video was made by Don Bouzek, and the music is by Maria Dunn. [VIDEO]

We have a new handout for our Alberta Could campaign! Check out the media section of our "Alberta Could" website, where you can download the handout and check out other materials from the campaign for fair taxation in Alberta.