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- The Alberta government is rolling out a new childcare funding formula aiming to establish $15-per-day as the standard rate for children of kindergarten age and younger. Starting April 1st, 85% of providers will receive a funding increase of at least 2% to offset rising costs. Additionally, Alberta child-care providers can now apply for grants through a new $53-million program to expand or upgrade child-care spaces. The province has already created 31,000 new spaces and is increasing its yearly contribution to child care from $250 million to $720 million.
- Premier Danielle Smith is advocating for the creation of a joint Canada-US NORAD military base in northern Canada to enhance Arctic security. She presented the proposal during a recent meeting with fellow premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Smith suggests the base could mirror the Canadian NORAD Region headquarters in Winnipeg. She is also advocating for Canada to appoint a "border czar" to enhance collaboration with the US on border security. She proposed that a retired military general, such as Alberta's interim top bureaucrat Paul Wynnyk, could be ideal for the role due to their expertise in military operations and deployment.
- The Government of Alberta is incorporating antisemitism teachings into the new Grades 7 to 9 social studies curriculum. The curriculum development involved extensive consultations with education partners and Jewish organizations throughout 2023-24. Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides emphasized the importance of educating students about antisemitism to combat hate and build stronger communities. This move builds on previous efforts, such as making Holocaust education mandatory and including antisemitism content in the Kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum.