April is here and Spring is in the air! Between random spring snowstorms, I’ve enjoyed walking Max in a t-shirt with the warm sun on my face. I also hope everyone celebrating Easter enjoyed some time with family, a little too much chocolate, and a fantastic long weekend.
The past month has been a big one in legislature! We have been busy debating the government’s 2024 budget, which essentially fails to increase funding proportional to population growth and inflation. In this way, Budget 2024 is essentially a cut to every Ministry and spending stream. It does not provide meaningful action on key issues such as housing or sky rocketing rent prices, but adds new fees for those buying homes. My colleague Janis Irwin has been leading the push against this with Bill 205, the Housing Security Act, which also came up for debate in March. This bill would impose an immediate cap on rent increases of two per cent per year for two years. It is not a permanent solution to the housing crisis, but it is a way to help struggling Albertans right now. Alberta has the fastest growing population in the county and the new budget creates a bonus to attract more people to live here. Along with housing, the budget isn’t keeping up with this growth, which will place compounding strains on our healthcare and education, ensuring our students continue to be the least funded in Canada.
I was pleased to see funding for drought action featured in the budget for environment and protected areas. However, I remain concerned that the government isn’t effectively planning for the multi-year nature of this drought. Climate change is making Alberta warmer and drier, and this is likely to continue over the long-term. I will continue to press this government to accept and act on the realities of climate change and enhance regional coordination in our drought response.
In other legislature news, I have been pushing the Minister of Energy for clarity and accountability regarding mining developments in the Eastern Slopes. Albertans are largely against coal mining and the pollution it can bring to our precious water supply. Still, the Minister directed the independent Alberta Energy Regulator to advance new exploratory drilling for the grassy mountain mine to a public hearing. This is particularly frustrating given that both the provincial and federal governments have rejected this mine already.
In mid-March, I had a great weekend reconnecting with my wildlife biology peers at the Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society’s 2024 Conference. As the newly appointed critic for Environment and Parks, keeping up with the latest wildlife and habitat science is important to ensure that my recommendations are evidence- based and applicable on the ground. It was an absolute honour to receive the Kristina Norstrom Dedicated Service Award. I have always advocated for science-based decision making on Alberta’s wildlife, as well as all aspects of environmental stewardship.
We had two amazing events this month. On March 23, I met some of you for a fun little hike up to Troll Falls in Kananaskis Country with my great dane Max, who may have had the most fun out of anyone! It was a lovely stroll filled with laughs and interesting conversation. Later that day we warmed up with some dancing and music at Sarah’s Spring Fling Fundraiser at the Canmore Opera House. Great times were had by all and all our silent auction proceeds were donated to the YWCA Banff, the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley, and Eagle’s Nest Shelter in Mini Thni.
Stayed tuned on Facebook, Instagram, and X for more upcoming events and MLA on Tour stops! We also take requests – please contact our office if you and your community would like to visit: Banff.kananaskis@assembly.ab.ca.
As always, our constituency office is always open to you, whether it’s to share concerns, get support, or just to say hi!
Sarah Elmeligi
