It has been a productive few months since we introduced this year’s budget, and new local projects are shaping up to help make our communities even better and more welcoming.
Over the past three years, our government has doubled down on investment attraction, economic growth, and job creation. From tax cuts to local construction projects, every investment in our communities is an investment in Alberta’s future. The 2022 Provincial Construction Program invests in projects that will help make our highways safer and our water systems cleaner. The plan, which is scheduled to be completed over the next three years, includes major capital projects, bridge and highway maintenance, water infrastructure, and slide repair projects which will improve the lives of people who live and work in these areas.
Some of these projects are happening right on our doorstep. Just outside Camrose, we are investing in improvements to the roundabout at Highway 13 and Highway 56, which will improve connections between our communities. We are also funding construction improvements at the Pioneer Legacy Junction on Highway 834. On Highway 855, next to Big Knife Provincial Park, funding will help support rehabilitation of the Battle River Bridge. These projects are currently in the design phase. Once complete, these improvements will allow drivers to have confidence in their safety and the safety of their families.
Improving our roads is important, but we are also directing our efforts to expand support for vulnerable Albertans, right at home. Often, seniors have unique needs that can’t always be addressed by a one-size-fits-all approach. Because of this, our team is partnering with community groups to expand access to mental health supports for seniors. We are committing more than $6.3 million to organizations who provide mental health and addiction supports to seniors. This funding will help these folks and their volunteers assist seniors and their caregivers with supports ranging from home care to training staff to respond to unique situations.
My advocacy for seniors and their families has given me the opportunity to meet people of all ages, all across our province. They have often expressed the need for unique supports, and sometimes people feel those needs can be overlooked. It is our job to make sure that no one falls through the gaps, and that seniors can feel that their needs are being met, so they can continue to experience fulfillment in their daily lives. This investment is another step forward in building a comprehensive, recovery-oriented system of care that helps everyone get the support they need, when they need it.