After leaving early from a meeting of Canada’s premiers in Vancouver Premier Ed Stelmach returned to Alberta to unleash a host of pre-election funding announcements.
On January 29 — the day the other premiers were discussing climate change — Stelmach’s government announced $1.2 million in lottery funding would go towards “community service” non-profits in Alberta. Hours later the premier announced $300 million for long-term care beds and facilities in the province. And on the same day his government released a 20-year capital plan for the province’s infrastructure.
The following day the Conservatives announced $22.5 million for stroke prevention and treatment as well as 14 new schools in and around Calgary and Edmonton that should be built by September 2011. (The schools eight of which will be in the Calgary area are part of the capital plan.) As of press time more announcements were expected later in the day.
Many expect the provincial election to be called on Monday February 4 after the throne speech. (JK)
