Advance polls open in pair of provincial byelections; housing program launches

Voters electing new MLAs in two Alberta ridings started casting their ballots Tuesday in advance polls.

Election day for the InnisfailSylvan Lake and Fort McMurrayConklin byelections is slated for Thursday, July 12. But advance polls are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday this week.

Voters in Fort McMurray-Conklin are replacing former United Conservative Party MLA Brian Jean. He was elected to his seat in 2015 as leader of the Wildrose Party, which merged with the Progressive Conservatives to form the UCP. Jean lost the UCP leadership bid to Jason Kenney and stepped down from his seat in March.

Innisfail-Sylvan Lake UCP MLA Don McIntyre, who resigned in February, was also elected under the Wildrose banner. He stepped down after he was charged with sexual assault and sexual interference of a girl under age 16.

INCREASING AFFORDABLE HOUSING

A new provincial program aims to boost the supply of affordable homes for Indigenous people across Alberta, said a government news release Thursday.

The Indigenous Housing Capital Program — operating with a $120-million fund — will provide cash to Indigenous governments and organizations to increase the number of homes designed and owned by Indigenous groups. Applications have to include an Indigenous partner to be eligible. There is a shortage of affordable units with three or more bedrooms for Indigenous families in Alberta.