Alberta Premier Danielle Smith delivered a speech Thursday to the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) fall convention in Edmonton where she told them "We need to maintain a positive working relationship.".Smith told attendees, "Rural Alberta matters to me."."I want you to know that I am one of you. I’ve spent a good chunk of my life in rural and small-town Alberta and not just as a politician.".Smith mentioned an issue of a policy during the speech her members recently proposed that would require municipal leaders to register as lobbyists when dealing with the province.."I understand that was borne out of frustration at how our relationship with certain councils became strained in the last few years. We intend to listen to municipal leaders on this. No decision will happen until all sides have been consulted," Smith said.."Our goal is to maintain positive working relationships that allow every level of government to best serve Albertans.".Smith then went on to explain to RMA members a new task force will identify ways to support Ukrainian evacuees coming to Alberta with their financial, physical, and spiritual needs..READ MORE: Smith creates new task force to support Ukrainian newcomers.She also outlined the priorities of Alberta's government.."The global economy is currently facing a severe crisis of inflation and supply chain disruptions that hit all of us directly and indirectly, including right in our wallets," Smith said.."And while it would be great to have a federal partner who stands with us in fighting this affordability crisis, the truth is Alberta is on its own. When you combine skyrocketing inflation with federal policies that target the energy industry and damage the economy, the result is a crisis for regular working families.".Smith said rising costs of living are effecting fuel, electricity, groceries, and fertilizer for Albertan farmers.."The cost of everything we need to live and to raise families has soared," Smith said.."We can't solve this inflation crisis on our own, but we can certainly balance the province’s books and help Albertans cope with the worst of the financial pressures.".Smith claimed in the coming weeks Alberta's government will take decisive action to ensure families don’t have to choose between buying food and keeping warm in winter.."We will lower the cost of electricity to ease the financial burden for seniors, parents, and vulnerable Albertans. Our government will ensure they have more in their wallets right away to meet the rising cost of life's necessities at this critical time," Smith said.."Our government will look at removing the provincial fuel tax and ensure gas stations lower their prices appropriately when we do. Alberta is home to massive energy resources, which belong to you. It's time to ensure you benefit from that ownership," Smith said..Smith pledged affordability is the primary challenge facing Albertans.."Every decision we make from now on until this crisis is over will recognize this fact.".Smith then outlined Alberta's government's second priority, which is creating jobs and strengthening the economy.."We will index and lower your taxes so families will not have to choose between their rent or mortgage and food. We will also look at lowering taxes for egg producers, innovators, and entrepreneurs," Smith said.."Our goal is to attract businesses from all over the world into every sector from agriculture and forestry to tourism and energy. We need to diversify our economy and promote more jobs and prosperity for all Albertans.".The third priority Smith talked about with the RMA was health care. Smith claimed Alberta is home to highly skilled, compassionate, and amazing medical professionals.."Our nurses, doctors, and paramedics are the best in the country," Smith said.."But they're getting burnt out completely. And when we don't have staffing levels up, then we have to start canceling surgeries. This has to change and fast. Albertans in need of care can’t wait any longer.".She also outlined how the province currently has a crisis in emergency medical services.."People wait too long for emergency room treatment. The system is broken. Failure is no longer an option," Smith said.."There’s also a need a free up hospital beds by moving some patients to more appropriate care facilities, where they can be more comfortable. Without disrupting frontline services, we will start making major changes quickly.".Smith said Alberta's government would ensure all areas of the province have prompt, efficient ambulance service to address emergency room lineups.."We will improve triage while ensuring that those needing additional care, but not a hospital bed, are moved to appropriate facilities and supported there," Smith said.."There’s room for enhanced surgical initiatives, turning to underused operating rooms in rural hospitals to complete orthopedic work like knee and hip surgeries. We should be running all 106 AHS facilities at full volume to get through wait lists. And then as we start developing the contracting process and people see that it works, there will be potential to expand to independent chartered surgical facilities for specialized procedures.".Smith admitted there are plenty of opportunities for improvements in the province.."We’re adopting a 'Yes' attitude to bring better, more efficient health care to all Albertans," Smith said.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith delivered a speech Thursday to the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) fall convention in Edmonton where she told them "We need to maintain a positive working relationship.".Smith told attendees, "Rural Alberta matters to me."."I want you to know that I am one of you. I’ve spent a good chunk of my life in rural and small-town Alberta and not just as a politician.".Smith mentioned an issue of a policy during the speech her members recently proposed that would require municipal leaders to register as lobbyists when dealing with the province.."I understand that was borne out of frustration at how our relationship with certain councils became strained in the last few years. We intend to listen to municipal leaders on this. No decision will happen until all sides have been consulted," Smith said.."Our goal is to maintain positive working relationships that allow every level of government to best serve Albertans.".Smith then went on to explain to RMA members a new task force will identify ways to support Ukrainian evacuees coming to Alberta with their financial, physical, and spiritual needs..READ MORE: Smith creates new task force to support Ukrainian newcomers.She also outlined the priorities of Alberta's government.."The global economy is currently facing a severe crisis of inflation and supply chain disruptions that hit all of us directly and indirectly, including right in our wallets," Smith said.."And while it would be great to have a federal partner who stands with us in fighting this affordability crisis, the truth is Alberta is on its own. When you combine skyrocketing inflation with federal policies that target the energy industry and damage the economy, the result is a crisis for regular working families.".Smith said rising costs of living are effecting fuel, electricity, groceries, and fertilizer for Albertan farmers.."The cost of everything we need to live and to raise families has soared," Smith said.."We can't solve this inflation crisis on our own, but we can certainly balance the province’s books and help Albertans cope with the worst of the financial pressures.".Smith claimed in the coming weeks Alberta's government will take decisive action to ensure families don’t have to choose between buying food and keeping warm in winter.."We will lower the cost of electricity to ease the financial burden for seniors, parents, and vulnerable Albertans. Our government will ensure they have more in their wallets right away to meet the rising cost of life's necessities at this critical time," Smith said.."Our government will look at removing the provincial fuel tax and ensure gas stations lower their prices appropriately when we do. Alberta is home to massive energy resources, which belong to you. It's time to ensure you benefit from that ownership," Smith said..Smith pledged affordability is the primary challenge facing Albertans.."Every decision we make from now on until this crisis is over will recognize this fact.".Smith then outlined Alberta's government's second priority, which is creating jobs and strengthening the economy.."We will index and lower your taxes so families will not have to choose between their rent or mortgage and food. We will also look at lowering taxes for egg producers, innovators, and entrepreneurs," Smith said.."Our goal is to attract businesses from all over the world into every sector from agriculture and forestry to tourism and energy. We need to diversify our economy and promote more jobs and prosperity for all Albertans.".The third priority Smith talked about with the RMA was health care. Smith claimed Alberta is home to highly skilled, compassionate, and amazing medical professionals.."Our nurses, doctors, and paramedics are the best in the country," Smith said.."But they're getting burnt out completely. And when we don't have staffing levels up, then we have to start canceling surgeries. This has to change and fast. Albertans in need of care can’t wait any longer.".She also outlined how the province currently has a crisis in emergency medical services.."People wait too long for emergency room treatment. The system is broken. Failure is no longer an option," Smith said.."There’s also a need a free up hospital beds by moving some patients to more appropriate care facilities, where they can be more comfortable. Without disrupting frontline services, we will start making major changes quickly.".Smith said Alberta's government would ensure all areas of the province have prompt, efficient ambulance service to address emergency room lineups.."We will improve triage while ensuring that those needing additional care, but not a hospital bed, are moved to appropriate facilities and supported there," Smith said.."There’s room for enhanced surgical initiatives, turning to underused operating rooms in rural hospitals to complete orthopedic work like knee and hip surgeries. We should be running all 106 AHS facilities at full volume to get through wait lists. And then as we start developing the contracting process and people see that it works, there will be potential to expand to independent chartered surgical facilities for specialized procedures.".Smith admitted there are plenty of opportunities for improvements in the province.."We’re adopting a 'Yes' attitude to bring better, more efficient health care to all Albertans," Smith said.
