Alberta Party puts focuson health care

EDMONTON The Alberta Party will present its first ever private member’s bill during the upcoming fall session, and house leader Greg Clark says his party is ready to “carry the load” of legislature business.

Speaking with media Thursday, he said his caucus will push for better dementia care, more long-term care beds, and fiscal prudence.

He also accused the New Democrats and United Conservatives of entering full-blown election mode.

Private member’s Bill 209 will come from Karen McPherson, Alberta Party member for CalgaryMackay-Nose Hill. Clark said it will focus on getting help for Alberta’s under-employed and unemployed.

METHANE REDUCTION

Small- and medium-sized energy firms will be the beneficiaries of a new methane reduction program unveiled Thursday.

The new program is designed to help oil and gas facilities that don’t exceed 40,000 barrels of oil per day identify, reduce, improve or eliminate methane waste through equipment upgrades. Companies will be eligible for $250,000 per facility, per fiscal year.

ALBERTA PROCLAIMS FIRST ISLAMIC HERITAGE MONTH

October has been proclaimed Islamic Heritage Month to celebrate the Muslim communities helping to build Alberta, the government said Thursday.

Community and Social Services Minister Irfan Sabir said in a statement he hopes Albertans take the opportunity to learn more about Islam and how Muslims have shaped the province’s heritage.

Early Muslim settlers helped to connect the country by laying the tracks of the CPR, built grain elevators and bartered for furs with First Nations. Canada’s first mosque — the Al-Rashid Mosque — was built in Edmonton in 1938.