Road Safety, the Opioid Crisis, and Supporting Women in Alberta

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Calgary Buffalo

We are still enjoying fall days here in Alberta, but it’s never too early to start checking on road conditions when planning to travel on the province’s highways. Fortunately, 511 Alberta—accessible by phone, app, and website—has been upgraded with better technology.

The new user experience allows one to choose specific highway routes and then display alerts of traffic closures, plus see traffic cameras and hear advance voice alerts.

Travelers will be safer and better informed with this improved service. For phone service, dial 511 on your phone free of charge; visit https://511.alberta.ca/ or download the app on iTunes or Google Play Store.

In Calgary, as well as Edmonton, Calgary, and Grande Prairie, a provincial grant of $400,000 to Native Friendship Centres is supporting the hiring of four navigators, as part of the government’s continued response to the opioid crisis.

This role connects people with life-saving treatment, harm reduction, and culturally-sensitive wraparound services. In addition, Friendship Centres in 21 communities across Alberta will have workshops, naloxone training sessions and educational material provided to staff.

These new supports will help Indigenous people in urban areas access life-saving resources.

Lastly, I’m pleased that Alberta’s Ministry of Status of Women is providing $850,000 in support of 32 projects that will help immigrant entrepreneurs, empower Indigenous communities, and emphasize women in leadership roles.

Grants to non-profit organizations will kick-start or expand existing projects, and include initiatives that focus on mentorship in business, technology and skills training, and overcoming gender-based violence. To view more details and the grant recipients, please visit http://bit.ly/swcgab2018

I am always happy to hear from constituents. If you have feedback to offer, please contact my constituency office: [email protected].