Alberta
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange announces nearly 25,000 new and upgraded spaces for Alberta students
Investing in new schools, modernized spaces
Alberta’s government is investing $2.3 billion over the next three years, for new and modernized classrooms.
Budget 2023 supports 58 projects, which includes 13 full construction projects, 20 design, 14 planning and 11 pre-planning projects. In total, there will be nearly 25,000 new and additional spaces for students across Alberta – 9,400 new spaces and more than 15,500 student upgraded spaces. This includes approximately 4,500 new and upgraded spaces in Calgary, 4,100 in Edmonton and 16,300 for the rest of the province.
“Alberta’s young learners are the community and business leaders of tomorrow. They need the right spaces to gain the tools and skills needed to prepare for their bright futures. By investing in our schools, we’re investing in our students while at the same time creating more jobs and supporting the local economy.”
This investment in education infrastructure includes:
- $372 million for construction and design projects:
- 10 new schools
- 16 replacement schools
- seven modernizations
- $4 million to support planning activities such as site analysis and scope development for 14 projects
- $1 million to pre-plan 11 conceptual projects that are anticipated to become high-priority needs for school jurisdictions
- $1 billion to continue work on previously announced projects
- $300 million over three years in school authority self-directed capital projects
- $279 million to support the maintenance and renewal of existing school buildings through the Capital Maintenance and Renewal Program
- $171 million to support public charter school infrastructure, including investment for a charter hub in Calgary
- $43 million to fund facility upgrades for successful collegiate school applicants
- $93 million for the modular classroom program to address urgent space needs across the province
“The Alberta government is investing in critical infrastructure projects that include upgrading and building high-quality schools to ensure Albertans can send their children to schools in their local communities. Our focus is on ensuring these projects are delivered on time, on budget and where they’re needed.”
The availability of suitable sites has been one of the biggest roadblocks causing delays to school projects. That’s why, through Budget 2023, Alberta’s government is creating a new School Planning Program that will serve as a transparent “pipeline” for upcoming school projects to begin as soon as formal construction funding is approved. Fourteen school projects will begin planning and site development through this new program while a further 11 projects will receive pre-planning funding to assist with developing scope options.
The planning program will allow for the further development of project scope and site investigation work. It will also help to clarify potential risks and identify mitigating strategies and costs. The goal is to provide school boards with the resources they need to remove barriers and better position the project for design consideration and construction approval in future budget cycles, which is expected to reduce costs and minimize schedule disruptions and delays.
“The Calgary Catholic Board of Trustees is grateful for the capital projects announced for the Calgary Catholic School District, which includes full funding for the K-9 school in Nolan Hill to serve this rapidly growing community. We anticipate receiving the full construction funding for the Rangeview high school and Chestermere K-9 school as soon as possible, after the design process is completed. These projects need urgent attention given the critical need for school infrastructure and CCSD’s high utilization rate in these communities. CCSD appreciates the pre-planning commitment towards the construction of the K-9 school in Redstone, the addition/enhancement of Bishop McNally High School and the construction of a new west-end high school.”
“On behalf of CBE students and their families, we thank the Government of Alberta for the capital plan announcement. These extraordinary and timely investments in infrastructure are vital to support student learning opportunities within our system.”
“This is an exciting day for Elk Island Public Schools, for the community and especially for students of both École Campbelltown and Sherwood Heights Junior High. A modern, well-equipped and efficient building will allow us to continue to offer the quality education students need to succeed in the classroom and will help ease the growth pressures we are facing in Sherwood Park.”
Quick facts:
- Full construction funding activities include construction and post-occupancy review.
- Design funding activities include the preparation of construction tender documents such as drawings and specifications.
- Planning funding activities include site analysis and scope development activities.
- Pre-planning funding allows a conceptual project to define scope elements, programming priorities and includes activities such as community engagement.
- To support the decision-making process for delivering infrastructure projects, the Ministry of Infrastructure passed the Infrastructure Accountability Act in December 2021. This act outlines how the province prioritizes projects for the annual capital plan.
- As legislated by the act, the government also published Building Forward: Alberta’s 20-Year Strategic Capital Plan in December 2021, providing a blueprint for long-term infrastructure investment and development in Alberta.
- The government’s budget decisions are made in accordance with the act and are guided by the strategic capital plan to ensure future capital investments benefit Albertans.
- Government partners, such as municipalities and school boards, will also be able to plan for capital funding knowing the long-term direction of government.
Budget 2023 school projects – full construction funding (13):
| Community | School division | Project type/Name |
| Airdrie | Conseil scolaire FrancoSud | new secondary school |
| Calgary | Calgary Board of Education | modernization of John G. Diefenbaker High School |
| Calgary | Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division | new K-9 school in Nolan Hill |
| Edmonton | Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord | solution for École Michaëlle-Jean and École Gabrielle-Roy |
| Edmonton | Edmonton Public School Board | new K-9 school in Edgemont |
| Lethbridge | Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate School Division | new K-6 school in west Lethbridge |
| Lethbridge | Conseil scolaire FrancoSud | École La Vérendrye gym project |
| Okotoks | Christ the Redeemer Catholic Separate School Division | replacement of École Good Shepherd School |
| Penhold | Chinook’s Edge School Division | replacement of Penhold Elementary School |
| Raymond | Westwind School Division | new high school |
| Sherwood Park | Elk Island School Division | solution for Sherwood Park |
| Valleyview | Northern Gateway School Division | solution for Valleyview |
| Waskatenau | Lakeland Roman Catholic Separate School Division | replacement of Holy Family Catholic School |
Budget 2023 school projects – design funding (20):
| Community | School division | Project type/Name |
| Airdrie | Rocky View School Division | new K-8 school in southwest Airdrie |
| Barrhead | Pembina Hills School Division | modernization and rightsizing of Barrhead Composite High School |
| Blackfalds | Red Deer Catholic Separate School Division | new K-5 school |
| Bow Island / Burdett | Prairie Rose School Division | solution for Bow Island and Burdett |
| Breton | Wild Rose School Division | modernization and rightsizing of Breton High School and demolition of Breton Elementary School |
| Brooks | Grasslands School Division | replacement of Brooks Junior High School |
| Chestermere | Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division | new K-9 school |
| Calgary | Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division | new high school in Rangeview |
| Edmonton | Edmonton Catholic Separate School Division | solution for Rundle Heights |
| Edmonton | Edmonton Public School Board | new junior/senior high school in Glenridding Heights |
| Fort McMurray | Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord | replacement of K-12 École Boréale |
| Lac La Biche | Northern Lights School Division | replacement of Vera M. Welsh School |
| Leduc | Black Gold School Division | modernization of École Corinthia Park School |
| Mallaig | St. Paul School Division | replacement of École Mallaig School |
| Medicine Hat | Medicine Hat Roman Catholic Separate School Division | replacement of St. Francis Xavier School |
| Nanton | Livingstone Range School Division | solution for Nanton |
| Red Earth Creek | Peace River School Division | replacement of Red Earth Creek School |
| Spruce Grove | Parkland School Division | replacement of Spruce Grove Composite High School |
| Taber | Horizon School Division | modernization of the W.R. Myers and D.A. Ferguson schools |
| Wainwright | Buffalo Trail School Division | replacement of Wainwright School |
Budget 2023 – School Planning Program projects (14):
| Community | School division | Project type/Name |
| Airdrie | Rocky View School Division | new grades 9-12 school |
| Calgary | Calgary Board of Education | modernization of Annie Gale School |
| Calgary | Calgary Board of Education | new high school in Cornerstone |
| Coalhurst | Palliser School Division | modernization of Coalhurst High School |
| Donnelly | High Prairie School Division | G. P. Vanier School |
| Edmonton | Edmonton Catholic Separate School Division | new K-9 school in Heritage Valley Cavanagh |
| Edmonton | Edmonton Public School Board | new K-6 school in Rosenthal |
| Edmonton | Edmonton Public School Board | new elementary school in Glenridding Heights |
| Fort McMurray | Fort McMurray School Division | modernization of Westwood Community High School |
| Grande Prairie | Peace Wapiti School Division | new high school north of Grande Prairie |
| Lethbridge | Lethbridge School Division | modernization of Galbraith Elementary School |
| Okotoks | Foothills School Division | new high school |
| Stettler | Clearview School Division | modernization and addition at Stettler Middle School |
| Strathmore | Golden Hills School Division | replacement of Westmount School |
Budget 2023 – Pre-Planning Program projects (11):
| Community | School division | Project type/Name |
| Calgary | Calgary Board of Education | modernization of A.E. Cross School |
| Calgary | Calgary Board of Education | modernization of Sir John A. Macdonald School |
| Calgary | Calgary Board of Education | new Saddle Ridge middle school |
| Calgary | Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division | new elementary school in Redstone |
| Calgary | Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division | addition at Bishop McNally High School |
| Calgary | Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division | new west Calgary high school |
| Chestermere | Rocky View School Division | new K-9 school |
| Cochrane | Rocky View School Division | new K-5/K-8 |
| Edmonton | Edmonton Catholic Separate School Division | new north K-9 school |
| Edmonton | Edmonton Public School Division | new junior high school in Pilot Sound/McConachie |
| Red Deer | Red Deer Public Schools | new northeast middle school |
Canada’s agricultural land is under increasing pressure to produce more food as demand grows domestically and internationally, while the industry grapples with limited resources and environmental constraints, a new report found.
“We need to grow more food on less land and in a volatile climate,” said Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.
The report by the institute released Thursday looks at the pressures on Canada’s agricultural land to produce more food while also mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, said McCann.
Despite Canada being a big country, it doesn’t have as much agricultural land as people might think, said McCann, with the report noting that agricultural land makes up only around seven per cent of the country.
Because of that, we can’t take what we do have for granted, he said. “We need to be really thoughtful about how we are using our agricultural land.”
In 2020, Canada was the eighth largest country in terms of cropland area, the report said, with that cropland decreasing by seven per cent over the previous two decades.
Canada is a major producer and net exporter of agriculture and agri-food products, the report said, exporting $91 billion in products in 2022, and one of the top 10 exporters of wheat, canola, pulses, pork and beef.
In the coming years, Canada will face increased demand from countries whose populations are growing, the report said.
“With population growth on one side and climate change on the other, Canada will be amongst an increasingly smaller number of countries that is a net exporter,” said McCann, noting that Canada’s own population is growing, and farmland also needs to be protected against urban sprawl.
The wildfires clouding Canadian skies this week are a “vivid reminder” of the pressure that extreme weather and the changing climate are putting on the agricultural sector, said McCann.
“We need to clearly mitigate … agriculture’s impact on climate change. But we also need to make sure agriculture is adapting to climate change’s impacts,” he said.
One of the ways the world has responded to demand for increased agricultural production over time is to create more agricultural land, in some cases by cutting down forests, said McCann. But that’s not a viable option for Canada, which doesn’t have a lot of land that can be sustainably converted into farmland — and even if it could, doing so could have a variety of adverse environmental effects, he said.
Some of the practices used to reduce emissions and sequester carbon in agriculture can also improve production output on existing farmland, the report found, such as precision agriculture and no-till practices.
However, intensifying the production of current agricultural land also comes with potential environmental downsides, the report said.
For example, McCann said fertilizer is an important part of sustainable agriculture, but there’s a balance to be struck because excessive use of fertilizer can quickly turn food production unsustainable.
“We need to be a lot more thoughtful about the inputs that we’re using,” he said, adding the same can be said about the use of technology in agriculture and the policies and programs put in place to encourage sustainable intensification of Canadian agriculture.
The report recommends that Canada adopt policies that provide financial incentives and technical assistance to farmers and develop regulatory frameworks promoting sustainable land use, as well as promoting education and awareness campaigns, so that the country can “ensure the long-term sustainability of its agricultural sector while protecting the environment.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2023.
Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press
A family member of five slain students holds a heart sign with their names on it following a court decision in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Alberta’s highest court is being asked to overturn a review board decision on the stabbing deaths of five young people at a Calgary house party that confined a man to a supervised Edmonton group home. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
By Ritika Dubey in Edmonton
Alberta’s highest court is being asked to overturn a review board decision that confined a man to a supervised Edmonton group home after the stabbing deaths of five young people at a Calgary house party.
The lawyer representing Matthew de Grood argued Wednesday the review board’s decision was biased, citing what she described as political interference from Alberta’s former justice minister.
“The appellant says, ‘I think the conclusion about me is wrong. The board’s conclusion is incorrect and not supported by evidence,”’ Jacqueline Petrie said before the Alberta Court of Appeal. “He says there’s no significant evidence that he’s a risk.”
De Grood, 31, was found not criminally responsible in 2016 for the killings two years earlier of Zackariah Rathwell, Jordan Segura, Kaitlin Perras, Josh Hunter and Lawrence Hong because he was suffering from schizophrenia at the time. Petrie said de Grood has been stable on medication, is at low risk to reoffend and should be allowed to live with his parents while being monitored under a full warrant.
She argued the review board misunderstood medical evidence during the September 2022 review, which deemed de Grood a significant risk despite the assessment showing improvements. She said the board is supposed to recommend the least onerous disposition compatible with public safety and did not do that for de Grood.
The defence lawyer has said the review had been influenced by former justice minister Doug Schweitzer, who weighed in on de Grood’s case in October 2019 after the panel allowed de Grood to transition from institutional care to a supervised group home.
He has been under supervision at a group home. His case is reviewed by the Alberta Review Board yearly to see whether he can transition back into the community while maintaining public safety.
Petrie pointed at de Grood’s “exemplary record,” and that he has been “compliant to the (medical) treatment team.”
“Nobody knew he had schizophrenia (at the time of the stabbings) and needed medication.”
Crown prosecutor Matthew Griener said the board considered a conditional discharge but dismissed it, citing a relapse in schizophrenia symptoms in 2021.
Griener said de Grood’s relapses were brief and happened at the hospital, providing an early window for medical professionals to intervene.
Justice Kevin Feehan said de Grood may be low-risk, but the consequences of even one relapse could be significant.
Reading from an expert’s report, Feehan said: “A low risk to offend doesn’t mean the reoffence would not be severe.”
Some family members of the victims drove from Calgary for the hearing.
Segura’s mother, Patty, said the last nine years have been about de Grood and his rights.
“He should be thankful that he ended up NCR (not criminally responsible) rather than end(ing) with five life sentences for murdering five people,” she said. “He should not be appealing.”
Hunter’s father, Barclay, opposed a potential full release.
“The idea that he wouldn’t be monitored for the rest of his life seems to defy logic, it doesn’t make any sense,” said the father.
Hunter’s mother, Kelly, said the family has had “no healing.”
“We do this every year, at least once. Now, this is the second appeal,” she said. Barclay
Hunter said although there are attempts to reintegrate de Grood into society, he hopes the man is not left on his own with an absolute discharge.
“Regardless of what they say, he killed five people. If that doesn’t stand on its own as a risk factor, then I don’t know what does.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2023.
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