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We all need a safe and affordable roof over our heads and the Alberta government is taking another step in the right direction to ensure we provide that for our seniors. With our recent investment in seniors' accommodations, we're continuing to support those who have contributed so much to our province. By making these capital investments and others in areas such as agriculture and bioenergy, our government is helping to propel Alberta's economic recovery while improving our quality of life. |
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Seniors benefit from more than 1,000 continuing care spaces
More than 1,000 new and upgraded spaces are being added to Alberta's continuing care system to address the needs of an aging population. New construction or renovations involving 13 facilities in 11 Alberta communities will be completed or well underway within the next two years.
These new and updated continuing care spaces will also create additional capacity in Alberta's hospitals and emergency departments by transitioning seniors currently occupying acute care hospital beds into more appropriate settings that will better meet their needs.
$55 million from Albertans' investment in Capital Bonds is being used to supplement the $50-million Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI), leveraging an even greater community investment to enhance seniors' continuing care accommodations. Remaining funds from the sale of Capital Bonds will be used for future investment in seniors' accommodations.
The 13 projects support government's Continuing Care Strategy: Aging in the Right Place and span the spectrum of continuing care facilities that include supportive living, designated assisted living and long-term care spaces.
The projects were identified through a consideration of demographics and community needs. Existing ASLI proposals were then reviewed to see which best addressed those of highest priority. With provincial funding through ASLI, community and private sector proponents build affordable accommodations for seniors. Specific details about the 13 projects will be released in the near future. |
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Increased access to capital contributes to agriculture industry
In 2009, the Alberta government's Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) marked a record year in serving Albertans, by providing increased access to capital and facilitating a total investment of $686 million in the province's agriculture, value-added and rural economies.
Recognizing the unique needs of the agriculture industry, and the importance of access to capital to capture business opportunities in a very competitive domestic and global marketplace, the Alberta government increased AFSC lending limits in 2009. AFSC can now lend up to $5 million to individuals and companies. Additional benefits include flexible repayment options, competitive fixed interest rates for a maximum period of 20 years, and the ability to repay loans in full, at anytime, without penalty.
Through loans, capital sourcing services and loan guarantees, AFSC continues to offer producers, agri-businesses and commercial enterprises a consistent, stable source of capital, which is helping the industry achieve long-term success.
More producers are taking advantage of the customized loan programs and flexible repayment options offered by AFSC. Last year, the corporation's lending division lent over $372 million to over 1,700 producers and businesses in Alberta. In addition to a range of lending products, AFSC delivers income stabilization programs and provides insurance products.
AFSC's lending products and services respond to the government's commitment to providing Alberta's agriculture industry with better access to capital, and support the Government of Alberta's plan for a strong economic recovery. Ensuring that our province's industries are competitive and continue to attract investment to provide jobs and prosperity is part of The Way Forward.
For more information on AFSC services call 1-877-899-AFSC (2372) or visit www.afsc.ca. |
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Alberta increases support for clean energy production
To promote more clean energy production the Alberta government is expanding and extending an incentive program for producers of bioenergy products.
Funding under the Bioenergy Producer Credit Program is extended for five years until 2016. The program will help Alberta meet its climate change targets by reducing emissions while also providing value-added opportunities and long-term stability to Alberta's agriculture and forestry industries. The program provides incentives to develop a wide variety of bioenergy products including fuels, power and heat, which will support the Renewable Fuels Standard to be implemented in April 2011.
The extended program focuses on the great potential for second generation ethanol, which uses feedstocks like forestry, agricultural and municipal waste. Specifically, the program will encourage development of new technologies and facilities that use non-food crops, waste biomass or wood.
The Renewable Fuels Standard establishes benchmarks for five per cent renewable alcohol in gasoline and two per cent renewable diesel in diesel fuel. As a result of this standard, production and consumption of renewable fuels in Alberta is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about one million tonnes annually. This is the equivalent of removing 200,000 cars from Alberta roads.
Supporting clean energy production is part of Alberta's plan for a strong economic recovery. The Way Forward will bring Alberta back into a surplus position in three years by trimming government spending; using cash reserves to protect key programs; continuing to invest in public infrastructure; and ensuring that our province's industries are competitive and continue to attract investment to provide jobs and prosperity. |
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