Budget Update
I would like to recognize those who live in Calgary-Varsity and work in the fields of health care, education and in our post-secondary institutions and thank you for your ongoing contribution to our public services. I have had the opportunity to meet with and listen to many of you and discuss our current fiscal challenges.
The work done by the MacKinnon panel confirmed that Alberta has a long-standing overspending problem. The Report made several recommendations, not just short-term solutions, but to explore different models of delivering public services to manage costs without cutting on quality. You can find the full MacKinnon Report at www.alberta.ca/mackinnon-report-on-finances.aspx
We are on a transitional journey in Alberta, one that requires us to think differently about our funding models, ensuring we have the fiscal capacity to fund public services, such as education and health care for the long-term. Challenging decisions will need to be made, but I am confident that in working together and exploring new opportunities we can bring spending in line and enhance services for all Albertans.
If you have feedback on the budget, please as always feel free to reach out at [email protected]. Your views are important to me and I appreciate you taking the time to share your comments.
Lest We Forget
November is the month that we stop and recognize the sacrifices of those who gave up their lives so we can enjoy freedom. I am reminded of how lucky we are to live in a province that is democratic and free and with a high standard of living.
This Remembrance Day, I will be participating in a service with the residents of the Colonel Belcher Retirement Residence. This residence has a long history of supporting our veterans. Named after Lieutenant Colonel Robert Belcher of the Northwest Mounted Police, the facility opened its doors as a hospital in 1919 for those wounded and returning home from WWI.
In 1991, Colonel Belcher became designated as a long-term care facility for those exclusively who served in WWI, WWII and the Korean War. Today the residence is home to 175 residents in which 75% are veterans of WWII, the Korean War and others as members of the army, the air force and the United Nations.
I encourage you to all take a moment on November 11 to remember the sacrifices made by those who served and those who continue to serve our nation abroad so we can live a life of peace and freedom.
