MLA's Report

NEW LEGISLATION AIMS TO PROTECT CHILDREN

Children exposed to serious drug activity, such as manufacturing and
trafficking, will soon benefit from additional protection under a
proposed new law introduced in the Alberta Legislature by Children's
Services Minister Heather Forsyth.

Bill 2, the Drug Endangered Children Act (DECA) will be the first
legislation of its kind in Canada.

The proposed legislation deals with specific drug activity such as
manufacturing, particularly crystal methamphetamine labs and indoor
marijuana grow operations and trafficking.

It identifies who may be a drug-endangered child and makes clear that
a child exposed to serious drug activity will be considered a victim
of abuse and require intervention.

If passed, this legislation will be another tool to help caseworkers
and police rescue children endangered by an adult's involvement in
serious drug activity.

It will raise awareness of the plight of drug endangered children and
let Albertans know the province is committed to taking action. The
government expects this will result in an increase in the number of
people who report this type of abuse.

Alberta developing strategy to build highly-skilled, educated workforce

The Alberta government sought input on a proposed strategy to address
skill and labour shortages and enhance the province's capacity to
respond to new challenges and opportunities in a knowledge-based economy.

Building and Educating Alberta's Workforce builds on the government's
current work to address labour force issues and propose actions to
improve the supply of appropriately skilled workers, develop
highly-skilled, educated and innovative people and foster work
environments that can take advantage of innovation and technology.

With Alberta's booming economy and worker shortages looming over the
next decade, a strategy was needed which ensures economic prosperity
will be sustained.

Consultation is a critical step because important feedback comes to
the government from people and organizations feeling the effects of
labour shortages.

Building and Educating Tomorrow's Workforce has been developed to
guide Alberta's labour market development and investments over the
next 10 years (2006-2016) to ensure individuals and businesses are
able to compete within an increasingly global and knowledge-based economy.

Albertans who were interested in contributing to the development of
Building and Educating Tomorrow's Workforce were able to provide
input through the government website.

Completed questionnaires and written submissions were accepted until March 10.

The consultation will also include meetings with more than 60 key
stakeholder groups representing business, labour, First Nations and educators.

The final strategy is expected to be released later this year.

As the MLA for West Yellowhead, I am always available to assist constituents.

If you have any questions or concerns on any issue, I can be reached
in my constituency office at 780-723-3601 or 1-800-661-6517, or in
Edmonton at 780-415-0986.