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It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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Report from the Legislature – Alberta to assess the impact of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Alberta is extending funding of $850,000 to immigrant-serving agencies to provide services to temporary foreign workers as they adjust to life and work in Alberta. At the same time, the province will look at the impact of the arrival of thousands of temporary foreign workers on Alberta’s workforce, its communities, and its people to identify future programming options.

Funding has been provided to immigrant-serving agencies in Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, Banff, Brooks and Lethbridge.

Employment and Immigration Minister Thomas Lukaszuk has asked his Parliamentary Assistant, Teresa Woo-Paw, to lead a review of the impact of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on Alberta and bring forward her findings and recommendations by spring 2011.

More than 60,000 temporary foreign workers live and work in Alberta. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is a federal program designed to help employers fill temporary jobs. The entry and exit of temporary foreign workers to and from Alberta also falls under federal responsibility.

Provincial legislation governs the working conditions and health and safety requirements for temporary and permanent Alberta workers alike.

An important part of The Way Forward, our government’s clear plan for a strong economic recovery, is maintaining support for programs and services Albertans need most, such as health care and education. For more information on the plan visit Alberta.ca.

Evans to update U.S. state leaders on Alberta energy

International and Intergovernmental Relations Minister Iris Evans will update key U.S. legislators on how Alberta is moving forward in developing a secure, safe and reliable energy supply.

Evans will attend the 63rd annual meeting of the Council of State Governments-WEST (CSG WEST) from Sept. 11 – 14 in Sun Valley, Idaho, along with MLA Ty Lund, Alberta’s representative to CSG WEST.

CSG WEST provides a platform for regional cooperation among the 13 western U.S. states. This year’s annual meeting, called ‘Pioneering New Frontiers’, focuses on finding new ways to work together on a variety of important topics, including energy, the environment, transportation and trade. Alberta became an associate member of CSG WEST in 2001 and has established strong relations with state lawmakers. The province will host the 2012 CSG WEST meeting, which will be only the second time the conference has been held outside the U.S.

After Sun Valley, Minister Evans will continue to promote Alberta by delivering a keynote address and meeting with decision makers at the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Sept. 15 – 17. The SSEB is comprised of governors and state legislators from 16 southern states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as a presidential appointee. The Board’s mission is to enhance economic development and the quality of life in the U.S. through innovations in energy and environmental policies, programs and technologies.

The U.S. is by far the largest customer for Alberta’s exports. Approximately 85 per cent of total provincial exports are shipped to points in the U.S. and 17 of Alberta’s top 20 international export destinations are U.S. states. Additionally, the U.S. is the source of 66 per cent of all foreign investment in the province.

For more information about CSG WEST visit www.csgwest.org. For more information about the SSEB visit www.sseb.org.

Our government’s plan to move Alberta forward rests on four key priorities: securing Alberta’s strong fiscal position; advancing our infrastructure; creating the best-performing, publicly-funded health care system and ensuring that Alberta has the most innovative and competitive economy in Canada. For more information on the plan visit Alberta.ca.

Government seeks input from youth

The Alberta government invites youth with strong leadership skills and a passion for community service to apply to become members of the 2010-11 Youth Advisory Panel.

The panel provides government with insight into challenges facing young people and offers valuable input to help shape provincial programs and services that make a positive difference for children, youth, families and communities. Up to 18 Alberta youth between the ages of 15 and 22 will be selected to serve on the panel for the 2010-11 term.

Since its inception in 2000, the panel has contributed recommendations and feedback for a number of provincial initiatives, programs and public awareness campaigns. Last year, the panel offered input to the government about youth homelessness, mentoring opportunities for high-risk youth and Children and Youth Services’ environmental scan, which focuses on issues and trends likely to impact the Ministry over the next five years.

The panel holds approximately five weekend meetings each year. It is the only youth group in Alberta that reports to and is chaired by a Member of the Legislative Assembly – Kyle Fawcett, MLA, Calgary-North Hill.

The deadline for applications is Oct. 15. To find out more and to apply, call 780-415-0085 (toll-free by first dialing 310-0000) or visit www.yap.gov.ab.ca.

As the MLA for Edmonton Mill Woods, I am always available to assist constituents. If you have any questions or concerns about supports for foreign workers, Alberta’s energy strategy, the Youth Advisory Panel, or any other matter, I can be reached in my constituency office at #218; 4128 A – 97 Street, or in my Legislature office at 780-422-9299 or through email at [email protected].

Report from the Legislature – Alberta to assess the impact of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

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