It has been a busy week!  The Alberta Party was first out the gate announcing a fantastic Children First Plan, ensuring Albertan’s have opportunity to access affordable childcare.  Working on a voucher system that follows the child, the Alberta Party policy provides subsidies to households with income under $110,000.00 per year.  Vouchers range from paying $0.00 if a household income is under $30,000.00 per year to $30.00 for a household income of $110,000.00.  This is helping Alberta families that need it.  More importantly, parents have a choice in their daycare provider – services can be provided by either a licensed day home or a daycare centre.  The subsidy follows the child, allowing parents to easily transfer their child if needed.  This plan also provides entrepreneurship to those who are considering starting their own day home business. 

The next policy that will benefit Banff–Kananaskis is the Film in Alberta program.  As noted in my previous post regarding signage, Alberta has breathtaking landscape and the Banff-Kananaskis riding is simply the most beautiful scenery there is.  I have previously had opportunity to showcase the Millarville, Priddis, Bragg Creek & Kananaskis area to travel writers from across North America.  They shared with me that they were blown away by the scenery and the hospitality.  The trip was showcasing where Brokeback Mountain was filmed.  When we can show Alberta’s landscape through film, it not only provides great economic benefit to the community where the filming occurs, but the benefit continues by having visitors wanting to see where filming took place. 

Please click on to the Alberta Party website to review the policies that have been announced to date.

In addition to lots of door-knocking, we are preparing for a number of forums:

Bragg Creek Chamber of Commerce                                     April 5

Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association                           April 8

Canmore Politics                                                                 April 9

Bow Valley Business Community                                          April 11

(BOWDA, Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce,

Downtown Canmore, Tourism Canmore Kananaskis )

Wednesday night, Banff-Kananaskis political candidates were judges for the Battle of the Bands.  School bands from Banff Elementary, Banff Community High School, Our Lady of the Snows, Lawrence Grassi Middle School and Canmore Collegiate competed.  We have incredibly talented young people in our communities and passionate teachers!

Stay tuned for more highlights as the campaign continues….