Alberta
Alberta’s Energy Road Ahead Has Never Been More Important: Brian Jean – Minister of Energy and Minerals
From EnergyNow.ca
By Brian Jean – Minister of Energy and Minerals of Alberta
Recently I had the opportunity to speak at The Road Ahead, Alberta Energy 2024, presented by EnergyNow at the Calgary Petroleum Club.
The road ahead for Alberta in 2024 is an important one. Alberta is at the crossroads on many key energy issues which I wanted to expand upon.
Let me start with some quotes from the last Throne Speech that will give you a sense of where Premier Smith wants Alberta’s world leading energy industry to go.
This is a key one: “Alberta’s government will ensure the entire world understands that the words “Alberta” and “energy” are inextricably linked for generations.”
All credible energy forecasters see the oil and gas industry as being the globally dominant energy player for decades to come. This means that Alberta, which produces energy in a better way than any other jurisdiction, will have opportunities and jobs in the energy industry for the children and grandchildren of those who are its current employees. Not only is Alberta’s resource one that will last, but it is also one that will lead the world.
Again, from the Throne Speech: “Our province is the fourth-largest producer of oil and gas in the entire world – and is, far and away, its most environmentally responsible one. Alberta will not be content with fourth place – not when our province’s energy reserves and environmental technologies are second to none.”
Our Premier recognizes that not only do we have globally significant oil and gas resources in the ground, but we also possess the significant knowledge and skills of Alberta’s energy workers and energy companies. That said, as we continue to develop energy projects of all types, more skilled trades will be needed and Alberta is committed to developing these skilled trades “in province” where possible. This will allow Alberta to continue to develop oil and gas in the most responsible way possible which will continue to evolve as new technology is developed.
All that heads us towards success. As a government we need to be bold enough to create the mechanisms of success for our energy industry and we are committed to do this.
Also from the Throne Speech: “Not only will Alberta be the greenest energy producer in the world, our government will ensure we create one of the most efficient, timely and red-tape free jurisdictions on the planet to invest in energy – whether that be conventional, non-conventional, renewable or otherwise.”
Premier Smith has tasked our government with improving our regulatory capacity. She wants us to create the flexibility and nimbleness to have world class results in all our energy spaces. We will take bold steps in the oil sands as we work with Pathways Alliance to create the world’s first carbon abated major oil field.
We will take bold steps with non-conventional producers to make the most of our gas and liquids industries in the Montney and Duvernay. And we will continue to take bold steps to use our energy industry to drive economic opportunities and reconciliation for our indigenous communities.
We will take bold steps to make sure that Alberta continues to be one of the top global places to build wind and solar, while protecting farmland and viewscapes.
We will use the skills and Alberta know-how that spring from our oil and gas expertise to make breakthroughs in lithium development and helium exploration.
Alberta is the ideal place for energy investments in established energy sectors and emerging energy-related sectors like petrochemicals, hydrogen, ammonia, lithium, and helium.
We will continue to lead the world in carbon capture, utilization and sequestration. A technology that we have deployed at scale faster than almost any other jurisdiction.
Finally, Alberta will take advantage of our tremendous natural gas resources to make Alberta a global centre for petrochemical production in general. But more than that, we will specifically be the global leader in green petrochemicals made from our energy resources and greened by sequestering the carbon used in their production.
These are the bold ambitions that Premier Smith and our government have for Alberta’s energy sector. Alberta has the expertise, and the duty, to remain a major global energy supplier.
And allow me to end with one last quote from the Throne Speech: “The world needs more Alberta energy – not less – and Alberta’s government intends to empower Albertans to deliver it!”
Our government isn’t afraid to declare that Alberta is energy and energy is Alberta!
Setting the foundation for a refocused health system
Proposed legislation would support the refocusing of Alberta’s health care system to ensure Albertans get the care they need when and where they need it.
On Nov. 8, 2023, Alberta’s government announced plans for a refocused health care system to ensure patients are receiving the care they need, when and where they need it. To achieve this, Alberta’s government will be creating four new organizations, one for each priority health services sector: acute care, primary care, continuing care and mental health and addiction.
If passed, the Health Statutes Amendment Act would enable the government to take the necessary next steps to refocus the province’s health care system. The legislation would ensure Albertans have a system that works for them by prioritizing their need to find a primary care provider, receive urgent care without long waits, have access to the best continuing care options and obtain excellent mental health and addiction treatment.
“We are taking another step toward improving health care by updating legislation and enabling the governance and oversight required to refocus the health system. The critical improvements to transparency and accountability will help support the successful refocusing of the health care system to one that is responsive, effective and reflects the needs and priorities of Albertans today and for future generations.”
The Health Statutes Amendment Act will enable the transition from one regional health authority, Alberta Health Services, to an integrated system of four sector-based provincial health agencies including primary care, acute care, continuing care and mental health and addiction. The agencies will be responsible for delivering integrated health services, ensuring Albertans receive timely access to care, regardless of where they live.
The Health Statutes Amendment Act establishes roles for an oversight minister and sector minister. The Minister of Health will take on the role of oversight minister, responsible for setting the strategic direction of the overall health system. A sector minister will be responsible for a specific health services sector. For example, the sector minister for Recovery Alberta is the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction. On the recommendation of the oversight minister, additional health service sectors may be established and designate a minister responsible for that newly created sector.
Enhanced government oversight will help Alberta’s government to better direct resources to the front lines where they are needed the most, improve patient care overall and support health care professionals.
“Mental health and addiction have been growing issues within our society and need to be prioritized within our health care system. Amid an addiction crisis, a refocused health system will allow for mental health and addiction services to get the attention, oversight and focus they need. Recovery Alberta would allow for improved mental health and addiction care across the province as an important part of an integrated health system.”
“Refocusing Alberta’s healthcare system is a crucial step towards ensuring that we can deliver a framework that prioritizes accessibility, accountability, and patient-centered care. By streamlining operations, improving oversight and fostering collaboration, we are setting a strong foundation for a healthcare system that is better equipped to address the diverse needs of each of our communities.”
The legislation will enable the minister of health to transfer employees or classes of employees from AHS to the new sector-based organizations, once established. During the transition period, AHS will be enabled to continue operating as a regional health authority. Employee transfers will be seamless, maintaining existing bargaining relationships and collective agreements. This will ensure stability for the workforce, unions and government as the health system refocus is implemented. There will be no job losses for staff who transition into the new organizations.
Amendments to be made to existing legislation
The Health Statutes Amendment Act includes amendments to the Regional Health Authorities Act and the Health Information Act, which have not been updated since the 1990s.
As part of these amendments, the name of the Regional Health Authorities Act will change to the Provincial Health Agencies Act. The amended Provincial Health Agencies Act will remove outdated references to allow the transition from a single regional health authority to a unified, sector-specific provincial health system. This will clarify the scope and accountabilities of provincial health agencies and health service providers going forward.
The amendments will also place responsibility on the provincial health agencies for operational planning and oversight of clinical service delivery across the province. This will enable provincial health agencies to set priorities in the provision of health service delivery. The agencies will also be tasked with sharing information and collaborating closely to support seamless patient care as the transition to the refocused health care system takes place.
Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring that patient information continues to remain safe and secure through this transition. Amendments to the Health Information Act will be introduced to support the new health system refocus and to support the establishment of the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence. These amendments will allow the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction, the four new provincial health agencies, the Health Quality Council of Alberta and Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence to have the authority to use health information for health system purposes.
If passed, the Health Statutes Amendment Act will enable Recovery Alberta, the mental health and addiction provincial health agency, to begin operating in the summer of 2024. The primary care, acute care and continuing care provincial health agencies are expected to be established in the fall.
Quick facts
- Consequential amendments are changes made to existing legislation due to new legislation being passed. These amendments are necessary to ensure legislative alignment with the proposed amendments to the Regional Health Authorities Act.
- To support the Regional Health Authorities Act amendments and ensure alignment, 43 other acts are being consequentially amended – for example, to replace references to “regional health authority” with “provincial health agency” where necessary.
- AHS will remain a key provider of health services, and in fall 2024 will transition to focusing on the provision of acute care services.
- Alberta’s government introduced the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence Act which, if passed, will establish the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE) as a public agency that would support the Government of Alberta, including Mental Health and Addiction, and Recovery Alberta in advancing the Alberta Recovery Model.
Related information
- Establishing the future of Alberta health care
- Refocusing health care in Alberta
- Recovery Alberta
- Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence
- Bill 22: Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024
Related news
- Refocusing on patient-centred care (Nov. 8, 2023)
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