Premier Danielle Smith plans to amend the Province's Bill of Rights to expand and assert the rights of Albertans. The changes would protect Albertans' ability to make medical decisions (including whether or not to get vaccinations), reinforce the right to legally acquire and use firearms, and ensure that property rights are respected.
Starting next year, two new mobile units will provide lung screening services to rural and remote communities in Alberta, supported by a $1.5 million investment from the provincial government and a matching contribution from the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Early detection of lung cancer and other lung diseases is critical for successful treatment, as many cases are typically diagnosed at later, less treatable stages. The mobile units will conduct pulmonary function tests and CT scans, with results available instantly to medical professionals via integrated technology. More than 4,000 pulmonary function tests and up to 6,000 CT scans are expected to be completed annually once operational.
Premier Danielle Smith is floating the idea of the provincial government collecting taxes on behalf of municipalities to see if there would be interest from municipalities. She brought the idea up while she was on stage at the recent Alberta Municipalities Convention, and highlighted the inefficiency of having 320 separate tax departments across municipalities. Smith suggested this idea could reduce the financial burden on local governments, allowing them to focus on more meaningful programs for residents.
