Alberta
Apply for Provincial Inflation Relief: Portal for families, seniors, vulnerable Albertans opens January 18
Inflation relief portal and payments coming soon
Monthly $100 affordability payments for families, seniors, and vulnerable Albertans will be released soon, and Albertans can act now to get ready.
Alberta’s economy has recovered strongly, but many people are struggling to heat their homes and feed their families. Alberta’s government has responded with the largest inflation relief package in Canada, with significant broad-based and targeted supports. Starting this month, six months of affordability payments will begin for Albertans through an application and distribution system that is fast, effective and safe.
Starting January 18, seniors 65 or older who are not receiving the Alberta Seniors Benefit and eligible parents with children under 18 can apply online through the government portal or in person at locations across the province for $600 in monthly affordability payments.
In order to use the portal, eligible parents and seniors will be required to have a Verified Account. To ensure that the application process is as smooth as possible, Albertans should sign-up for their Verified Account or confirm they have an existing Verified Account with accurate information as soon as possible.
Many Albertans receiving these targeted relief payments are automatically enrolled for the program and do not need to apply to receive the benefit.
Along with Foster and Kinship Caregivers, anyone currently receiving regular monthly benefits through Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), Income Support or Alberta Seniors Benefit, or receiving services through the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program will automatically receive their first payment starting January 31.
Affordability payments for AISH, Income Support and PDD clients
All clients accessing AISH, Income Support or PDD are automatically enrolled in the program and do not need to sign up to receive their benefits. They will receive their first $100 payments starting January 31.
- Payments will be delivered the same way as a client’s regular monthly benefits, whether by automatic deposit or a physical cheque.
- Payments will be delivered by physical cheque for existing PDD clients who are not receiving AISH or Income Support benefits.
- Beneficiaries will also be notified directly about their enrollment in the payment program and related information.
- These payments will be treated as exempt income by the AISH and Income Support programs and will not impact eligibility or financial benefits.
- Parents in these programs with children under 18 can also receive $600 in additional payments per child. They will need to apply online or in person for these payments starting January 18.
Affordability payments for seniors
All Albertans 65 or older with household incomes below $180,000 will soon be eligible for $600 over six months in monthly affordability payments.
Albertans receiving the Alberta Seniors Benefit are automatically enrolled in the program and do not need to sign up to receive their benefits. The distribution of additional monthly payments will begin January 31.
Eligible seniors who are not receiving the Alberta Seniors Benefit will need to apply for affordability payments by creating or confirming their Verified Account and applying for benefits via the online portal or in person at a registry office or through Alberta Supports when the portal opens on January 18.
Affordability payments for parents or guardians caring for children under 18
Families with household incomes below $180,000 per year will soon receive a total of $600 for each dependent child under 18 over six months. Eligible parents can apply for affordability payments by creating or confirming their Verified Account and applying for benefits via the online portal or in person at a registry office or through Alberta Supports when the portal opens on January 18.
Affordability payments for foster and kinship caregivers caring for children under 18
Eligible kinship or foster caregivers caring for a child under the age of 18 are automatically enrolled in the program and do not need to sign up to receive their affordability payments. They will receive their first payments at the end of January.
- Payments will be delivered the same way as regular monthly benefits, whether by automatic deposit or physical cheque.
- Monthly payments will be rolled out starting January 31.
Alberta’s government is delivering immediate cost of living and inflation relief while also working to support long-term affordability. Albertans can learn more about all the broad-based and targeted affordability relief programs online.
Quick facts:
- Alberta’s government will use CRA 2021 tax data to verify eligibility based on income.
- Applications can be submitted until June 30, with payments being retroactive to include previous months when a person was eligible.
- Once the application process is successfully completed, most Albertans will receive payments at the end of that month. Exact timing will vary for each individual.
- Alberta has had verified accounts since 2015 as a way for Albertans to safely and securely access a growing number of government services.
- As with all online accounts, Albertans should use strong passwords and not share their password with anyone else. Tips on how to create a strong password are available on the Government of Alberta site.
- The Alberta government will not send texts or emails asking Albertans to submit personal or banking information to receive payments.
Additional information, including a video and answers to questions, is available at alberta.ca/affordable.
“Our government is committed to keeping Alberta affordable. By the end of January, most Alberta seniors and families will be able to apply for and receive monthly affordability payments that will provide real relief and help to offset inflationary pressures.”
Alberta
Former senior financial advisor charged with embezzling millions from Red Deer area residents
News release from Alberta RCMP
Former senior financial advisor charged for misappropriating nearly $5 million from clients
On April 4, 2024, the RCMP’s Provincial Financial Crime Team charged a Calgary resident for fraud-related offences after embezzling millions of dollars from his clients while serving as a senior financial advisor.
Following a thorough investigation, the accused is alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn funds from client accounts and deposited them into bank accounts he personally controlled. A total of sixteen victims were identified in the Red Deer area and suffered a combined loss of nearly $5 million.
Marc St. Pierre, 52, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:
- Fraud over $5,000 contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code; and,
- Theft over $5,000 contrary to section 344(a) of the Criminal Code.
St. Pierre is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on May 14, 2024.
“The ability for financial advisors to leverage their position to conduct frauds and investment scams represents a significant risk to the integrity of Alberta’s financial institutions. The investigation serves as an important reminder for all banking clients to regularly check their accounts for any suspicious activity and to report it to their bank’s fraud prevention team.”
- Sgt. John Lamming, Provincial Financial Crime Team
The Provincial Financial Crime Team is a specialized unit that conducts investigations relating to multi-jurisdictional serious fraud, investments scams and corruption.
Alberta
Political parties will be part of municipal elections in Edmonton and Calgary pilot projects
Strengthening Alberta’s local elections
Alberta’s government is introducing legislation to ensure Albertans can rely on transparent, free and fair elections, and municipally-elected officials have clearer accountability measures.
In a democratic society, Albertans expect their local elections to be free and fair, and their elected officials to be held to account by clear rules that govern their local councils. The Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act proposes amendments to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to add greater transparency to local election processes and ensure local councils and elected officials continue to remain accountable to the citizens who elected them.
“Our government is committed to strengthening Albertans’ trust in their local governments and the democratic process that elects local leaders. The changes we are making increase transparency for Alberta voters and provide surety their votes will be counted accurately. We know how important local democracy is to Albertans, and we will work with local authorities to protect and enhance the integrity of local elections.”
Local Authorities Election Act
Albertans expect free and fair elections and that’s why it’s important we strengthen the rules that govern local elections. To strengthen public trust in local elections, Alberta’s government will eliminate the use of electronic tabulators and other automated voting machines. All Albertans should be able to trust the methods and results of local elections; requiring all ballots to be counted by hand, clarifying rules and streamlining processes for scrutineers will provide voters greater assurance in the integrity of the results.
All eligible Albertans should be able to vote in local elections without impediment. Alberta’s government will limit the barriers for eligible voters to cast a ballot by expanding the use of special ballots. Currently, special ballots can only be requested for very specific reasons, including physical disability, absence from the municipality, or for municipal election workers. By expanding the use of special ballots, the government is encouraging more voter participation.
Amendments in the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act would increase transparency in local elections by enabling political parties at the local level. Political parties would be enabled in a pilot project for Edmonton and Calgary. The act will not require candidates to join a political party in order to run for a local or municipal office, but will create the opportunity to do so.
In addition, proposed changes to the Local Authorities Election Act would allow municipalities the option to require criminal record checks for local candidates, thus increasing transparency and trust in candidates who may go on to become elected officials.
Municipal Government Act
The role of an elected official is one with tremendous responsibility and expectations. Changes proposed to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) will strengthen the accountability of locally elected officials and councils. These include requiring mandatory orientation training for councillors, allowing elected officials to recuse themselves for real or perceived conflicts of interest without third-party review and requiring a councillor’s seat to become vacant upon disqualification.
If passed, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act will also unlock new tools to build affordable and attainable housing across Alberta. Proposed amendments under the MGA would also create more options for municipalities to accelerate housing developments in their communities. Options include:
- Exempting non-profit, subsidized affordable housing from both municipal and education property taxes;
- Requiring municipalities to offer digital participation for public hearings about planning and development, and restricting municipalities from holding extra public hearings that are not already required by legislation; and
- Enabling municipalities to offer multi-year residential property tax exemptions.
Municipal Affairs will engage municipalities and other partners over the coming months to hear perspectives and gather feedback to help develop regulations.
Quick facts
- The LAEA establishes the framework for the conduct of elections in Alberta municipalities, school divisions, irrigation districts and Metis Settlements.
- The MGA establishes the rules governing the conduct of local elected officials once on council, as well as the overall administration and operation of municipal authorities in Alberta, including any policy those authorities may wish to implement.
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