Another day in politics and another mandate letter issued by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith..On Wednesday, Smith issued a mandate letter to Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides and thanked him for his continued service as the minister.."Our cabinet faces an extraordinary task: to deliver on a clear and bold mandate in a limited period of time. Albertans are counting on us, and they rightfully expect their government to address the challenges they are facing with our full attention and action," Smith wrote in the letter..The commitments outlined to Nicolaides in the letter include:.Expand the Targeted Enrolment Expansion program to increase spaces in high demand programs in economic and medical fields of study.Work with other ministries and regulatory bodies as required to enable private career colleges to expand enrollment and practicum opportunities, especially in programs of study where Alberta is experiencing work force shortagesAs the lead, work with the minister of health to expand bridging programs at post secondary institutions, create new bridging programs, and support talent pathways for internationally educated nurses to apply their skills in Alberta by building on the memorandum of understanding signed with the Government of the Philippines.Work with Alberta’s established medical schools (the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine and the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry) to examine ways to increase the number of physicians trained in Alberta, particularly in rural areas, by partnering with regional post secondary institutions (e.g., University of Lethbridge and Northwestern Polytechnic).Ensure our post secondary institutions are adequately protecting the academic freedom and free speech of students and faculty.As the lead, work with the minister of Education to make recommendations on the best way to create an expedited teaching certificate to fast track instructors of skilled trades and professions into teaching positions in junior high and high school.."First, I ask you to keep the inflation and affordability crisis top of mind. Affordability is the primary challenge facing Albertans today, and as a government we will ensure that Alberta families are able to manage through this storm by taking decisive action in the coming weeks and months," said Smith..Smith then explained Alberta's government must continue to have a "laser focus" on job creation and strengthening the province's economy.."No matter what the industry, we must continue the good work of diversifying our economy through job creation to ensure all Albertans and their families can prosper," Smith said..She explained to Nicolaides in the letter the challenges facing Alberta's health care system mean Albertans are not getting the necessary care they need when and where they need it.."We will ensure all areas of the province receive prompt and efficient ambulance service. Our government will also act quickly to bring substantive improvements to emergency room services and clear surgical backlogs," Smith said..Smith then told Nicolaides she expects him and cabinet to remain united and determined in the face of a federal government that no longer treats its partners in Confederation as equals.."We must proactively protect Albertans from continued federal government overreach, including hostile economic policies that landlock our provincial resources, that chase billions in investment and thousands of jobs from our province, and that are detrimental to the short-term and long-term prosperity of Albertans," Smith said.."While we may face challenges, I nonetheless have full confidence our government can and will address these matters to secure a province that remains a safe haven for those seeking economic opportunity, prosperity, and freedom.".Smith outlined in the letter to Nicolaides under his leadership as minister of Advanced Education, she expects him to work closely with the cabinet and caucus colleagues and the public service through the committee, cabinet, and legislative processes to deliver on commitments to support Albertans.."Your deputy minister and other senior officials in your ministry will support these priorities with the highest standard of professionalism and integrity. Alberta’s public service will provide you with non-partisan advice and loyal implementation of your mandate," Smith said.."As I mentioned, our ability to support Albertans in the coming months will require you to work respectfully with your officials, and often with tight timelines. I expect all ministers and their staff to conduct themselves in all matters with the highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour. I expect you to be aware of, and to be fully compliant with, Alberta’s Conflicts of Interest Act, and that all ministers will protect the significant trust that Albertans have placed in our government."."There's a note there for us to expand the targeted enrollment program which we began in the spring," Nicolaides said.."As part of that program we provided $171 million in new funding over three years to create 10,000 new spaces at post secondary institutions in high demand for aviation healthcare. I'm happy to be able to do that with a particular focus on areas of economic importance in health care.".To begin completing the mandate letter, the first priority for Nicolaides will be to reach out to universities and colleges in the province.."To which we've already been having some preliminary conversations, but now we have a more official mandate letter will be able to reach out to our universities and colleges and get their proposals about how we can expand programming in health care, and physician training and in other areas," Nicolaides said.."So that'll probably be one of the one of the most immediate first steps."
