Alberta's tourism industry is seeing positive effects from a weaker Canadian dollar, with ski resorts like Banff Sunshine Village experiencing an increase in US visitors. The low exchange rate, making travel to Canada more affordable, is particularly appealing to American tourists who find activities like skiing in Banff and Lake Louise to be a great value compared to options in the US. Additionally, the tourism industry is hopeful that the trend will continue, with bookings for places like Waterton Lakes National Park showing promising signs of growth.
The Alberta government is introducing a new guide to support workers facing addiction, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage recovery-focused practices in the workplace. With around 10% of employees in Alberta having struggled with substance use, the guide offers suggestions to help employers foster recovery-friendly environments. The guide also highlights the economic benefits for employers, estimating savings of $8,500 per employee annually through recovery-friendly policies.
Alberta's College of Physicians and Surgeons is introducing new guidelines for doctors who need to reduce their patient load, aiming to ensure “safe care” for doctors. The previous lottery system for discharging patients has been replaced with a triage approach, prioritizing patients with urgent health needs. This change comes as Alberta faces a shortage of family physicians, with around 600,000 residents lacking a family doctor. Health experts express concerns about the impact of patient discharge on access to preventive care, particularly for healthier patients who may end up relying on emergency services. The Alberta Medical Association is hopeful that a new physician pay model will help alleviate pressure and stabilize the primary care system.
