Province Injects Funds into the Child Care Industry

Province Injects Funds into the Child Care Industry

Jackie-Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville.

Dear friends and neighbours:

As we head into October, I hope you’ve had the chance to walk our many trails around Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville and watch the leaves change colour.

During this time of great economic peril and adversity, Alberta’s government has made several commitments to create jobs and protect livelihoods. Alberta’s Recovery Plan is more than a blueprint for jobs – it’s an investment in our communities that puts Albertans on a path for prosperity. A more prosperous Alberta includes affordable, high-quality, and flexible child care while maintaining our commitment to safety— especially for our most vulnerable.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges in child care centres across our constituency and throughout the province and is why Alberta’s government continues to invest quality child care. In September, each licensed and approved space received $109 to help centres with the financial pressures they have been facing as a result of the pandemic. Now, Alberta’s government is proud to announce that, through an agreement with the federal government, in October and again in November, child care centres, daycares, out-of-school care centres, and preschools will receive $200 per licensed and approved space and $2,500 per centre. In addition to the nearly $400 million that the Government of Alberta already spends each year on child care, $87 million in funding from the provincial and federal governments will help centres re-open, stay open and keep children and staff safe and healthy.

A successful post-pandemic recovery requires a strong and diversified economy, I am excited to share that Alberta’s government has launched the Mineral Advisory Council to help government unlock Alberta’s untapped geological potential for various minerals that are in increasing global demand. Along with the work of the council – composed of experts in geology, resource development, Indigenous relations, regulatory and environmental affairs, and investor and industry perspectives – the government will engage key stakeholders to gather input on the elements of a successful mineral strategy.

Alberta’s government is also proud to invest up to $1.9-billion from TIER and other sectors. Funded by large industry, the latest investment will support a suite of programs that create 3,400 jobs on its own and up to 8,700 indirect jobs while reducing industry emissions by about 300,000 tonnes of carbon per year. The new mineral strategy will place Alberta at the cutting edge of critical mineral exploration and development. Doing so will encourage investment and create jobs for Albertans, supporting our long-term economic recovery for years to come.

MLA, Jackie-Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville.