Weekly Update: April 23 – 29, 2021

New rent support for Albertans between jobs

Starting May 1st, Alberta’s government will launch a new Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit paid directly to tenants for up to 2 years for eligible Albertans who are below the local income thresholds and are currently employed or have been employed in the last 24 months and are not receiving social assistance. The Rent Assistance Benefit, formerly the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement, reopened on April 1. This long-term benefit provides stable support for Albertans with the lowest income across the province.

Relaxing restrictions on continuing care visits

Starting May 10, updated public health measures will come into effect for continuing care facilities in Alberta. These protocols will increase the number of designated family/support persons for each resident, expand the number of people who can attend outdoor social visits and allow limited indoor social gatherings. Read more.

Finishing Phase 2 of vaccine rollout

Albertans eligible in the rest of the Phase 2C and 2D vaccine rollout are able to book appointments starting April 30. Find out more.

Investing in young Canadians

Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada intends to invest $5.7 billion over five years in measures to support students and young Canadians. These include:

• Creating 215,000 new training and work opportunities for young Canadians, so they can gain valuable skills and experience in the workforce
• Waiving interest on student loans for an additional year, which would help about 1.5 million Canadians who are repaying student loans
• Providing more flexibility for the repayment of federal student loans, so no one has to make a payment they cannot afford
• Doubling the Canada Student Grants for two more years to help over 580,000 students cover the cost of their tuition, school supplies, and living expenses
• Expanding access to supports, grants, and repayment assistance for students with disabilities.

New mandatory measures will address growing COVID-19 cases in hot spot communities across Alberta

Targeted restrictions will apply to municipalities or regions where there are at least 350 cases per 100,000 people and 250 currently active cases. New measures will apply to junior and senior high schools, and sports and fitness activities in these communities. These targeted restrictions will remain in place for at least two weeks for any community or area that reaches this trigger. After 14 days, the enhanced measures will be lifted once the municipality falls back below the threshold. Read more.

Alberta 2030 strategy to transform higher education

The Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs strategy sets the road map for a re-envisioned post-secondary system focusing on high-quality education and the skills and training needed for Alberta’s future. The strategy establishes six goals:

• Improve access and student experience
• Develop skills for jobs
• Support innovation and commercialization
• Strengthen internationalization
• Improve sustainability and affordability
• Strengthen system governance

Implementation of initiatives under the Alberta 2030 strategy will begin in 2021, with additional engagement to occur as necessary. Read more.

The 2021 Census

Every five years, Canadians are invited to participate in the census to help paint a portrait of Canada's diverse population and the places where we live. The next Census of Population and Census of Agriculture will take place in May 2021.

CBP Continues Temporary Reduced Hours at Ports of Entry

CBP delayed the resumption of the summer hours schedule at the port of Wild Horse, Montana. Wild Horse will continue to operate on its’ winter hours schedule of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week with limitations on non-essential travel. The opening of the seasonal port of Chief Mountain, Montana has also been delayed due to the current travel restrictions. Read more.

Conserving the future of K-Country

Alberta’s government is planning $11.5 million in funding for new projects and more boots on the ground to enhance the visitor experience – made possible in part by a new Kananaskis Conservation Pass, a vehicle entry pass that will go into effect June 1.

Energy Minister halts exploration of category 2 lands

An initial review of the April 2021 survey, that more than 25,000 Albertans completed, illustrates that many Albertans have significant concerns about coal exploration. Based on this insight, the Coal Policy Committee – an independent group appointed to lead comprehensive public engagement to inform the development of a modern coal policy – has recommended to the government that coal exploration in Category 2 lands be suspended. The affected companies have indicated they will cooperate with the pause. The Coal Policy Committee is continuing to review the survey results to help inform the next steps in the public engagement process, with more information available in the near future.