Friends,
With the start of February, we are firmly in the New Year. I hope everyone had a restful January and a chance to put their new year’s resolutions into practice. The year 2017 ended very well for the Alberta economy, with 26,000 jobs, mostly full time, added in December. This economic growth looks to continue through 2018 as the economy strengthens and diversifies.
Alberta’s new employment standards came into effect Jan. 1, protecting the rights of hard-working Albertans, aligning with the rest of Canada and meeting the needs of today’s workplaces. Key changes include: job-protected sick leave, long-term illness and injury leave, care for critical adult or child leave, bereavement leave, domestic violence leave, death or disappearance of a child leave and citizenship leave; expanded compassionate care, maternity and parental leave to align with federal Employment Insurance benefits; and a new penalty system for employers found to be contravening the code or regulation.
In January we met constituents at the Euphoria Café to listen to feedback and concerns. Thank you to everyone who attended, it was a very productive dialog.
This February 16 marks the Chinese New Year and the start of the Year of the Dog. I’d like to send best wishes to everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year, and I look forward to attending some of the celebrations.
Our office serves all the people of Varsity, Dalhousie, Brentwood, Banff Trail, University Heights, Montgomery, and Charleswood. Our team is available to talk to constituents about provincial government departments, programs, scrolls, and services. To find out more drop in, call, email, or check out stephaniemclean.albertandpcaucus.ca
