We are once again in the midst of another Legislative session fighting for all Albertans. So far, we have introduced new legislation to make post-secondary education in our province more affordable, protect patients from sexual abuse by health professionals, and expand court access for First Nations and ensure private guardianships do not happen without mandatory home studies and cultural plans.
Another change you may have heard me speak about are the new rules for vehicle sales and repairs that took effect on October 31, 2018. These improvements to the Automotive Business Regulation created consistent standards to help consumers make more informed decisions and ensure businesses can compete fairly in a trusted automotive marketplace. These new rules also support the government’s work to build stronger public oversight of the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC), ensuring Alberta has a strong and trusted regulator that is well-positioned to protect consumers and build integrity in the industry.
After spending much time last year hearing from and working with Albertans with disabilities about AISH, two recent actions by Rachel Notley’s government I consider especially significant: forthcoming changes to how AISH will be indexed and the appointment of Tony Flores as Alberta’s first ever dedicated advocate to help Albertans with disabilities resolve issues, find supports and promote inclusion. Alberta’s new Advocate for Persons with Disabilities will support children, youth and adults with varying abilities by raising awareness of their rights and the services available to them and their families.
Finally, there has been much good news about the state of our province’s economy: job numbers are up, manufacturing and exports are up, and new energy diversification initiatives are being put in place. While we know there is still more work to do, our decision to preserve the services Albertans relied on during the worst of the recession has enabled this recovery. And the deficit is coming down faster than forecast.
I want to end by wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays. And as we enter the New Year, you can rest assured that Rachel and I will be fighting for you.
Brian.
