Province	Législature	Session	Type de discours	Date du discours	Locuteur	Fonction du locuteur	Parti politique
Alberta	19e	2e	Discours du trône	20 mars 1980	Frank C. Lynch-Staunton	Lieutenant-gouverneur	Alberta Progressive Conservative Party

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly:

I have the honour to welcome you to the Second Session of the 19th Legislature of the province of Alberta.

Albertans enter the 1980s against the background of steady growth in population and economic strength which has marked the 1970s. Our citizens, whose efforts have achieved significant changes and provided unprecedented opportunities within our province, look forward to this new decade with a full awareness of the unique role in Confederation now being fulfilled by this province.

Although Alberta is the most dynamic area in Canada, vibrant and forward looking, my government realizes that there are numbers of our citizens who still do not fully enjoy the opportunities available. Albertans wish my government to remain sensitive to this fact, and efforts will therefore continue and many initiatives will be taken to provide practical programs and fresh opportunities for those who may be in need.

It is of interest in this special anniversary year to note that the Speech from the Throne delivered 75 years ago to the first representative Assembly in this province, paid appropriate tributes to the enterprise of our forefathers hard working citizens of their day- and extended a welcome to the settlers then coming into our province. Some of the youngest of these pioneer settlers, alive today, will be among those honoured as the province marks its 75th birthday throughout this year.

My government will emphasis four priorities during this Second Session:  

(1) Hospital Construction. Support to local and provincial hospital boards will be further expanded, and capital projects throughout Alberta will be built to ensure that, over time, Albertans in all parts of the province will have upgraded health and hospital facilities.

(2) Housing. Further initiatives will expand my government's housing programs. These initiatives are made necessary by federal government policies which constrain private-sector investment in rental accommodation required to meet the needs of continued growth within our province.

(3) Manpower Training. Programs designed to increase the participation of disadvantaged and unskilled Albertans in job opportunities will be given special emphasis.

(4) Highways and Roads. Substantial additional funds for highways and roads will be a feature of this session's recommendations to the Legislature in order to meet the needs arising from a dramatic increase in vehicle registration, as well as from resource and recreation demands.


Hospitals and Medical Care

The past year has seen encouraging progress in the construction of major health care specialty facilities for the use of Albertans over the years to come. The Walter MacKenzie Health Sciences Centre at Edmonton, the Southern Alberta Cancer Centre at Calgary, and the Alberta Children's Provincial General Hospital will, when completed, provide the most modern and complete specialty health care facilities in Canada.

The government has now completed its reorganization of hospital administration and established the necessary procedure for project approvals. Eight new hospital projects were announced last fall, and a second stage of announcements will be made shortly.

Consultation will continue with groups involved in the provision of ground ambulance service, prior to a program being introduced by the government.

The government also expects to receive the report of the hospital utilization committee during 1980. Its findings will be used to further improve the quality and availability of health care services.

Preventive medicine programs will be emphasized.

In consultation with the Alberta Hospital Association, an incentive program will be developed to further improve the financial efficiency of Alberta hospitals. A pilot project will proceed in Calgary, in order to gauge the potential benefits of one such program.

Alberta doctors now have the highest fee schedule in Canada, under the Alberta health care insurance program. The practice of extra billing beyond that schedule is being closely monitored by the government, while consideration is being given to introducing opting-out legislation for doctors who wish to make charges beyond the insured schedule of fees.

In November 1979, this Assembly passed legislation creating the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. The foundation trustees have now been appointed and are formulating approaches, procedures, and priorities. The foundation will be making, in the long term, a major contribution to medical research in Canada to the benefit of all Canadians.


Housing
Despite a buoyant economy, which is encouraging a large migration to our province, the number of housing starts in Alberta this year could decline significantly, unless positive action is taken by the provincial government. This unusual situation arises out of the withdrawal by local private-sector investors from the apartment and rental areas, due to the combined effects of both high national interest rates and the federal government's elimination of capital cost allowance incentives. As a result, my government will be required to expand even further its extensive involvement in this crucial housing field.

Home ownership is available to Alberta families through the Alberta family home purchase program and the self-help co-operative housing action program. In the first eight months of the 1979-80 fiscal year, 2,700 families benefited from these programs. Terms and conditions of the Alberta family home purchase program are being modified to enable more Alberta families to participate in the subsidies.

It is estimated that more than 5,000 housing units will be funded under the Alberta family home purchase program in 1980-81. This will be a major contribution to facilitating affordable housing for Albertans and will represent an investment of upwards of $300 million in 1980-81 from the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund.

In the northern areas of the province, housing is provided through the rural and native housing program and the rural mobile home program. As well, continuing funding is being provided through the rural home assistance program, to assist families in isolated communities and on Métis settlements to construct their own homes.

My government also helps to provide rental accommodation in the form of community housing for low-income families. By providing for self-contained units and lodges, affordable housing is also available to our senior citizens. In addition, through loans to the private sector under the core housing incentive program, by which the rents on 50 per cent of the units are controlled by agreement with the developer, we anticipate funding up to 4,500 apartment units in 1980-81, over double the number to be funded during 1979-80. These steps will greatly increase the effectiveness of this program and will be a major stimulus to the rental housing industry. An investment of over $200 million from the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund will be required.

Under the revolving trunk servicing program, assistance is now being provided to municipalities and developers for funding new water and sewer trunk systems, thereby increasing the amount of serviced land available for residential and industrial development.

A number of new initiatives in housing will be announced by my government during the course of the session.
 
The Alberta pioneer repair program provided 26,000 senior citizen households with home repair grants between July and December 1979. It is anticipated that by the end of March 1981, 45,000 seniors will have been helped in this way. This will further encourage our senior citizens to remain in their own homes.


Advanced Education and Manpower

My government will continue to offer educational programs to an increasing number of Albertans, to allow them to take advantage of the opportunities available in this expanding and diversifying economy. The population of Alberta is projected to increase at a rate of about 3.5 per cent per year for the next few years, more than triple the national growth rate. Postsecondary institutions can anticipate continuing enrolment growth, particularly in the technical institutions and public colleges.

With the current economic outlook and the potential development of several large-scale oil sands and heavy oil projects, the high demand for qualified tradesmen, technologists, and technicians will continue.

The highly successful apprenticeship and trade certification program continues to develop an increasing number of skilled tradesmen. Over 3,600 received journeyman status in 38 trades in 1979, while a further 9,000 were enrolled as new apprentices, an increase of 25 per cent over 1978. Government is committed to increasing apprenticeship accommodation in the public college system, to provide for the larger numbers of apprentices and bring about further decentralization of training opportunities.

The universities are being encouraged to allocate their resources to cope with pressures for high enrolments in some professional faculties. The universities represent a valuable asset which must be capable of making a significant contribution to increasing research activities. My government recognizes and supports the vital role of the universities, which leads to improvements in cultural, ethical, and social aspects of the lives of our citizens.

In keeping with my government's well-recognized policy of decentralization, an announcement was made recently regarding the choice of a permanent location for Athabasca University. The choice of the town of Athabasca, located in north-central Alberta, will give permanence and visibility to this young, open university, and will provide the community with a strong economic and cultural base from which to grow.

Through additional academic upgrading, job readiness training, and counselling services, my government intends to increase the opportunities for the physically socially and culturally disadvantaged to become self-sufficient and productive members of society.

Services to handicapped citizens will be further improved with the implementation of a five-year project to increase the number of programs for teachers with specialized training in the provision of education services to handicapped children, and for the training of rehabilitation workers. There will also be an increase in the number of programs of vocational training for handicapped adults.

The policy governing future legislation for the professions and occupations has been reviewed. Profession legislation, which will take into consideration discussion resulting from the professional bills introduced last session, will be introduced by the appropriate ministers.

Legislation will be introduced to enable postsecondary students to pursue baccalaureate degree programs at any private college which has an appropriate affiliation agreement with an Alberta university.

Changes with respect to tuition fees and students’ financial aid, which is available through provincial programs, will be introduced. A federal/interprovincial task force was established recently to review the student finance plans in place throughout Canada.

Our fine institutions will continue to be encouraged to anticipate and respond to the changing needs of the people of Alberta and the economy. Through a spirit of co-operation, there will be an increase in the joint provision of postsecondary educational services to regions with rapid population growth.


Education

Education for the '80s will differ in many respects from our experience of the past 35 years, and it is important that our province be able to respond to such change imaginatively and wisely. This year will be devoted to laying the necessary groundwork.

A major review of the educational finance plan of the province has just begun. Ultimately, this review will incorporate recommendations on funding, recognizing the effects of tax changes on real property, as well as deal with expenditure programs for elements as diverse as school transportation, special education, and declining enrolment.
 
A similar review of the The Teaching Profession Act is under way, and the necessary process of consultation will take place with interested Albertans this year.

My government will shortly announce details of a program designed to encourage, at the community level, the development of the community school concept.

Special education will continue to be a priority of my government, and it is expected that by September of this year an entirely new delivery system will be operating for program serving the sensory multihandicapped.

 This year will see the commencement of teacher exchanges with the province of Quebec, as well as the extension of the very successful student exchange.


Social Services and Community Health

My government recognizes that the challenging opportunities available in so many aspects of the lives of the majority of Albertans are not equally available to those who are physically or mentally handicapped or whose lives are otherwise temporarily or permanently marked by disadvantage. My government therefore reaffirms its strong commitment to provide support and assistance in all cases where the circumstances of the individual call for the help of his or her fellow citizens.

The Alberta Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Commission will undertake a new thrust in educational programming. We will introduce a comprehensive plan to ensure that Albertans are made aware of the dangers of alcoholism and drug abuse. Emphasis will be placed on the alternative life styles which would prevent the development of abuse habits. In addition, the David Lander Centre will be housed in permanent quarters constructed during 1980.

A youth development centre to serve southern Alberta will be established in the town of Strathmore. This facility will provide care for 48 youngsters requiring confinement compulsory care.

Two major activities will result from the conclusion of the experimental project administered by the Com-Serv Association of Southern Alberta. A citizens’ resource centre for handicapped will be established. The centre will be administered by an appointed community board and will assist handicapped persons to receive appropriate services. A provincial advisory committee for research for the handicapped will be established. Funds will be provided to enable research and demonstration in this field.

Additional funding will be provided for existing residences for the mentally retarded. These funds will assist agencies to more adequately meet the needs of the clients in their facilities.

A second phase in the development of facilities for the mentally retarded with serious behaviour problems will be proposed by my government. The development of special housing units in Calgary and Edmonton, and accompanying outreach programs in rural and urban areas of the province, will complement the special unit constructed at Michener Centre last year.

My government proposes to assist foster parents, providing skill development services for these dedicated individuals, in order to meet the specific needs of children in their care.

Additional resources will be requested to continue to expand private group homes in rural southern Alberta, provided through contracts with individuals and organizations.
 
Dental health services will be expanded by assisting rural municipalities to attract qualified dental personnel and facilities. This program is being developed to attract and encourage dentists to establish themselves in underserviced areas of the province.


Agriculture

Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy and continues to engage, as it has since the earliest years of settlement, the initiative, energy, and resourcefulness of our people. Albertans can be confident in the knowledge that we possess the human, technical, and physical requirements for continued long-term strength in the agricultural industry. Despite certain areas of concern, the future is promising.
Alberta's initiatives in improving grain handling and transportation will be vigorously pursued. These initiatives include completion of financing arrangements for a modern, high-efficiency grain terminal in Prince Rupert; increased utilization of recently acquired inland terminals' in Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge, and the purchase of 1,000 hopper cars to assist Alberta farmers in transporting their grain to export markets. As a result, by 1985 we expect Alberta farmers will benefit from a much improved grain transportation system, provided the new federal government follows through on the commitments of the previous federal administration.

My government recognizes that the future of agriculture in Alberta depends on the recruitment of young farmers, and will be making major revisions to assist new farmers through the beginning farmer program, administered by the Alberta Agricultural Development Corporation. Last year this corporation loaned over $30 million to Alberta's primary producers at low interest rates.

In 1978, the Farming for the Future research program was initiated. To date, $10 million from the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund has been committed to agricultural research to find new and better ways of increasing production. Particular attention will be given to livestock promotion and dairy herd improvement. As well, government will continue to work closely with livestock producers to encourage and help to assure equal opportunities in both production and marketing.

Agriculture has become a technical and highly refined industry, requiring considerable investment of time and money in addition to farm management. Providing resources and advice on farm management is an important initiative by Alberta Agriculture for the benefit of the farmers of Alberta.

The Alberta weather modification program will continue with emphasis on research and hail suppression. This continued support offers the hope of having one of the best programs in the world.

A new food processing centre will be proposed for the consideration of hon. members. The nutritive processing assistance program will continue, providing spin-off benefits for agribusiness in Alberta.


Energy and Natural Resources

The importance of Alberta's extensive renewable natural resources in providing new opportunities for employment and economic diversification will be highlighted during 1980. In November 1979, my government announced its intention to enter into a forest management agreement for the development of a major timber resource in the Berland-Fox Creek timber development area. At the same time, substantial allocations of timber were made to existing independent operators. It is expected that this spring, construction will begin on a major sawmill at Grande Cache. It will employ approximately 360 people when completed. An additional sawmill will be constructed in the Fox Creek area, and construction of Alberta's first thermomechanical pulp and newsprint mill will shortly begin in the Whitecourt area. Approximately 600 new jobs will be created by these activities in the Fox Creek-Whitecourt area.

My government will soon be involved in complex negotiations with the new federal administration, involving the pricing of Alberta's oil and natural gas.

Albertans are aware that their light and medium conventional crude oil reserves are depleting rapidly. My government is determined to ensure a fair arrangement for the sale of its depleting resources and, at the same time, continue to encourage the private sector's involvement in the petroleum industry an involvement which has been most beneficial to Albertans to date, and upon which so many Alberta jobs depend.
 
My government will continue its many commitments to reducing Canada's imports of crude oil from foreign sources, by taking a leadership role in energy self-sufficiency for the nation, subject to fair arrangements in oil and natural gas pricing.
 
My government will be requesting further substantial funding for the Alberta oil Sands Technology and Research Authority, to support its vital work in developing new technology for the recovery of oil from Alberta's oil sands and to increase the amount of oil that can be recovered from our conventional oil reserves.
 
During 1980 my government will be reviewing its petroleum exploratory incentive drilling program, now in its seventh year. This program has contributed significantly to maintaining high levels of petroleum exploration activity in Alberta, which in turn have led to discovery of significant new natural gas and some new conventional crude oil reserves.
 
Prospects for coal development in Alberta continue to depend largely upon external factors. Worldwide competition for export markets remains keen, although as international oil prices escalate, interest in developing Alberta's vast reserves of high-grade metallurgical and thermal coal deposits is increasing. Keeping in mind the size and diversity of the province's coal resources, my government intends to accelerate funding of coal research, with emphasis on developing technology for conversion of coal to synthetic fuels.


Public Lands and Wildlife

Intense activity by resource industries continues to impact heavily upon our forests, wildlife, and public lands.

During 1980, my government will conduct a systematic review of its widely accepted policy for resource management in the Eastern Slopes region.

The grazing reserve development program, funded from the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, will continue to develop needed pasture land in the gray-wooded soil zone of the province, in order to encourage and promote the agriculture industry in those areas.

A select committee of the legislature, established during the last session to examine aspects of the province's sport and commercial fishing opportunities, will submit its report to the legislature during this session.

My government proposes to introduce a number of important changes to The Wildlife Act this spring.


Municipal Affairs

My government will be introducing legislation to amend The Municipal Government Act in a number of areas, including the use of municipal plebiscites.

Legislation will also be proposed at an early date to amend certain provisions of The Municipal Election Act Of particular note will be an amendment to make it clear that military personnel living on bases have the right to vote in municipal elections and plebiscites.

My government will continue its review of the recommendations contained in the report of the Provincial-Municipal Finance Council. Amendments to The Municipal Taxation Act will be proposed to implement some of the recommended real property assessment-taxation reforms recently proposed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs.


Environment

My government's continued emphasis of its policy for balanced economic growth, with resultant opportunities in smaller centres and in rural Alberta, will be further enhanced by the regional water and sewer system program. In order to provide consistent and long-term support for continued improvement in the environment of our province and in the quality of life outside the major cities, groups of rural and urban municipalities will be materially assisted in developing co-operative water and sewage facilities where development of independent schemes are not cost effective or environmentally desirable.

To ensure the continued protection of the province water resources, my government will initiate a program to remove phosphorous from sewage where nutrient loading may affect sensitive streams and lakes.

Hazardous waste is becoming an increasing concern to all Albertans. Through public hearings, the government will seek participation of the citizens of Alberta, industry and other levels of government, to ensure that industrial wastes will be managed with maximum environmental and public health protection.

In 1980, my government will be making major decisions on water resource development, directed at long term improvement in the social and economic well-being of residents in the Oldman River basin in southern Alberta. This will be the first stage of a renewed emphasis on the development of Alberta's water resources and will be an important element in the government's recognition of the importance of food production and the specialized nature of irrigation.


Transportation

Vehicle registration during the 1970s almost doubled in Alberta. In addition, resource and recreational developments and growth in many rural centres significantly increased the use of highways and roads. It is expected that this transportation demand will continue in the 1980s and will require responsive programs for highway construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance. The increasing use of air travel will also require continued support through the construction and operation of provincial and community airports.

Significant expenditure requests for the construction and rehabilitation of primary and secondary highways, resource roads, agricultural and recreational access roads, and airport, will be included in the budgetary estimates to be tabled during this session.

Transportation initiatives in support of international trade will include a comprehensive review of the establishment of an inland container port in Alberta, which would allow improved access to world markets for secondary products from petrochemical industries and for agricultural commodities. It would also enhance Alberta's position as a major distribution centre for western Canada.

The expanded urban transportation assistance program will continue. Significant benefits have been realized by new projects designed to maximize traffic flow through signal system and other traffic improvement measures.

The safety of transportation systems both for the user and for the public generally is a matter of increasing importance and concern. Highway safety programs will continue to concentrate on the safety of school and commercial buses. Amendments will be proposed to The Highway Traffic Act in order to implement safety equipment standards and operation requirements for these vehicles.


Labour

A continuing high priority of my government will be the expansion of employee/management/government consultations to improve productivity and the quality of working life. The potential for this program has been well illustrated in the construction industry.

Joint review and planning programs to remove impediments to employment and to deal with questions of access to buildings by workers with physical disabilities will be undertaken with citizens and agencies concerned.

New programs will be developed to provide improved wage collection and wage protection for Alberta employees.

Public safety programs of the fire prevention branch will continue to emphasize home fire safety through early detection and increased public awareness.


Workers' Health, Safety and Compensation

The select Legislative Committee on Workers' Compensation, which held public hearings during the fall of 1979, will report to the Legislature during the 1980 session.

The high incidence of serious accidents in certain industries notably in construction, oil well drilling and servicing, mining, and lumbering is a matter of considerable concern, and the occupational health and safety division, in co-operation with industry and labour, will continue to develop more forceful strategies for prevention.

The extensive revision of regulations under The Occupational Health and Safety Act will be completed by mid-1980, following more than a year of public review and consultation.

In response to public awareness and concern regarding radiation hazards, the technical capabilities of the province's radiation health program are being strengthened. All statutory inspections of X-ray equipment are now being completed expeditiously.

As Alberta's industries continue to expand, both workers and employers must take a greater share of the responsibility for ensuring that worksites meet the required standards for occupational health and safety, and for investigating incidents which have a potential for causing injury or death. An expanded role for joint worksite health and safety committees in this area will be continued.


Attorney General

My government will continue with its efforts to modernize and improve the administration of justice for Albertans and avoid unnecessary delays by:

-providing for a prosecutor-oriented management information system in Calgary and Edmonton to improve caseload management;

-implementing a program of witness management in the Calgary and Edmonton courts to provide assistance to witnesses;

-providing some financial relief for witnesses and jurors through an improved schedule of rates for fees and travel costs.

Development of an automated system, which will form an integrated part of a comprehensive land-related information system throughout the government, will be commenced this spring.

New legislation will be proposed to replace the present Jury Act, in order to modernize jury procedures, selection, and qualifications.


Solicitor General

To meet the increased inmate population of the Edmonton Remand Centre, my government has provided for 32 additional positions for correctional officers in that facility.

The opening of the Edmonton Remand Centre in September 1979 has reduced by half the inmate population of the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Institution. The opening of the St. Paul Correctional Centre this year will further reduce the inmate population at Fort Saskatchewan, and provide alternative opportunities for correction services.

During the 1980-81 fiscal year, a number of programs will be expanded. It is proposed that the number of inmate work crews in various community and public service work projects will be increased. There will be a further decentralization of community correction offices and highway patrol offices to provide more effective and efficient service to the public.

Under an agreement worked out with the Alberta Medical Association, a medical review board has been established to provide an appeal mechanism for Albertans with medical conditions that may restrict or result in a denial of driving privileges.

In the interest of safe driving, the Driver Control Board will establish a full-time Driver Control Board office in Calgary to serve that city and southern Alberta. All persons suspended three times, either under the Criminal Code or by way of driver demerits during a five-year period, will be reviewed by the board, and remedial action will be taken to ensure that unsafe drivers are prohibited from driving a vehicle. Special emphasis will also be given to drivers aged 16 and 17 with probationary driving privileges.


Native Affairs

The urban native referral program, designed to assist municipalities and native organizations in aiding native people moving to urban centres, is now operating in four centres. Fort Macleod, Grande Prairie, Calgary, and Edmonton all have programs to assist native people in making use of available services.

Discussions continue with Indian bands to assist them in taking full advantage of provincial programs and services. As requested by Indian leaders, the focus of such meetings has been on a band-by-band basis, thereby ensuring that individual community requirements are emphasized.

With increasing resource developments in the province, balanced employment opportunities continue to be a priority for my government. An increased emphasis on recruitment and training programs will continue to improve prospects for employment both in the private and public sector.


Recreation and Parks

Amendments to The Wilderness Areas Act will be introduced at the fall sitting, to provide for ecological reserve and natural area land classifications.

The major cultural/recreation facility development program continues to offer desirable opportunities for development, in co-operation with local municipalities and community organizations. The program has been oversubscribed during the last two years, indicating a continuing need for the provision of recreation and cultural facilities for the benefit of the people of Alberta.

Planning and development of a new provincial park, which will be located at the Carson-Pegasus lakes in the Whitecourt area, will commence in 1980. In addition, planning will continue to improve and expand the total provincial park system in Alberta.

Planning will commence on a recreation areas program, in conjunction with rural municipalities, to improve access to fishery-stocked lakes, reservoirs, beaches, and other recreation resources.


Culture

Major revisions of financial support for public libraries in 1980 will encourage development and implementation of co-operative library systems. Library services to handicapped Albertans and the provision of materials in languages other than English will also receive increased support. Efforts will be directed to providing better access for rural Albertans to collections in major libraries, so that all citizens will be able to enjoy improved library and information services.

In July, the Strathcona Science Park, located on the eastern outskirts of Edmonton, will open, and by means of a series of exhibition pavilions, will promote public awareness and understanding of Alberta's natural resources and prehistory archaeology. For the first time in Canada, visitors will be able to watch archaeologists as they "dig" at a 4,000 year-old campsite, and interpret the artifacts that come to light, in an on-site laboratory.

While continuing to give priority to the very successful marketing program Discover Alberta Art, my government also recognizes the growing economic and social importance of our film industry. Assistance will be offered to writers of film and television scripts, producers of short films, and film societies. Increased consultative service will enhance the province's stature as a major film industry centre.
The identification, documentation, preservation, and interpretation of the province's historical resources will continue. The development of a five-year master plan will be undertaken in 1480, to set the priorities for the designation and development of the province's historical resources.

The vibrancy of our artistic and cultural community with its ethnic diversity will be significantly reflected in our 75th Anniversary celebrations. Our provincial support programs for performing arts continue to surpass those in other provinces.


Tourism and Small Business

To ensure that the needs of Alberta businessmen are being met, the level of support services has been expanded. Economic planning and development expertise is being provided to help communities prepare their own long-term development plans.

In addition, the Alberta Opportunity Company will continue to assist Alberta businessmen where conventional financing is not available. Nineteen seventy-nine showed a record number of loans being made to businesses throughout Alberta, mostly to firms located outside the two metropolitan centres.

The Opportunity North Conference, sponsored by the Northern Alberta Development Council, will be held in Grande Prairie in November 1980, helping to foster an increased appreciation and understanding of the needs of our citizens in Alberta's northern communities.

The contribution of the tourism industry to the diversification of Alberta's economy cannot be underestimated. It is now a billion-dollar industry. The third and final year of the highly successful Stamp Around Alberta campaign, Homecoming 1980, is well under way. The destination area program will be emphasized to assist the private sector in the expansion of tourism facilities throughout the province.


Economic Development

Alberta's petrochemical industry has now become success story of the government's policy on economic diversification. The nature of this industry is to create challenging new job opportunities for our citizens. As the industry matures, small business in Alberta will be more extensively involved with new products and new processes. New investments in the petrochemical and fertilizer industries in Alberta are forecast to amount to an additional $1.5 billion during the next three years, resulting in the creation of a significant number of new jobs for Albertans.

Encouragement of high-technology industries through the promotion of research and development in both the petrochemical industry and the processing of agricultural products, coupled with the ancillary industries that a strong medical research program attracts, will provide Albertans with entirely new and diversified fields for employment.

Implementation of the long-range plan of the Alberta Research Council has commenced with a reorganization of personnel into four new divisions: natural resources, frontier sciences, energy resources, and industrial and engineering. Planning for its new central facility, to combine many of its present locations, will proceed. Included in this will be space for increased staff and laboratories to supplement Alberta's growing high-technology industries.

Our emphasis on foreign trade efforts is rapidly expanding. As a result of my government's initiatives and efforts, almost all Canadian-bound foreign trade missions now include Alberta as a key part of their itinerary.


Utilities and Telephones

My government will continue to shield Albertans from the rising costs of natural gas heating through provision of a new natural gas price protection plan to be announced later this year. In the meantime, the present program will be extended beyond its termination date of March 31, 1980. A home-heating allowance will be introduced at the same time to provide assistance to those residents living in remote areas not accessible to natural gas systems. Through the rural gas co-op program, more than 165,000 rural Albertans are obtaining the benefits of efficient and cost-effective natural gas. Franchise areas have now been approved for all agricultural zones in the province. 

Taking advantage of new developments in telecommunications technology, continual modernization and upgrading of Alberta Government Telephones' plant and facilities is occurring.

A continuing priority will be to encourage communications and computer equipment manufacturers to locate research and development and high-technology manufacturing facilities in Alberta.


Consumer and Corporate Affairs

The well-informed consumer is our most effective regulator in the market place. My government's efforts will continue to emphasize consumer information and education rather than law and regulation.

The extent of government presence in the market place will continue to be a matter for consideration. Ongoing review of legislation and regulations will determine areas for appropriate withdrawal.

Corporate growth in Alberta was rapid and strong in 1979 and is anticipated to continue in the 1980s. A new Calgary office of the companies branch information system, heralded as a leader in North America, and a new Alberta Business Corporation Act will be effective tools in meeting the challenges of the 1980s in the corporate field.

Government Services

Effort will be continued to improve the efficiency of common internal support services, while maintaining the most effective balance between the government's own service capability and the use of the private sector.

Contracts for computer systems development, printing, courier services, building maintenance, and surplus asset auctioneering, will continue to be left to the private sector for services required by government.


Treasury

The budget speech in April will reveal the current fiscal forecasts and policies of the government. Legislation to implement the first stage of the new Alberta business incentive tax system will be put forward.

My government again will seek authorization for the transfer of 30 per cent of our depleting non-renewable resource revenues to the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1981. Appropriations for the capital projects division of the fund will again be presented to the Legislature in the fall.

Amendments to The Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Act will be proposed to reflect the experience of four successful years of operation, and the anticipated realities of fund management.


Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The year 1980 could well be a time of decision for Canada. In the past few years, Canadians have been debating the issues related to national unity and the future of our country.

My government is sensitive to the deep feelings of dissatisfaction felt by many Canadians with the current operation of the federal system. Alberta will continue to work for revisions of our constitution, designed to ensure a partnership of strong provinces and a strong federal government. Since 1978, my government's position in respect to constitutional change has been based upon the principles expressed in the position paper Harmony in Diversity. These principles remain the policy of my government, believing that by recognizing Canada's inherent diversity, and by ensuring that all provinces may develop to their full potential, harmony will be achieved in Canada.

In conclusion, the thoughts of Albertans in this 75th Anniversary year are of thankfulness for the abundant blessings shared by our people. Marking such an occasion is more than a brief look into the past and the acknowledgement of the creative energies of our forefathers. My government believes that it is also an occasion for the ideas and initiatives from Albertans of today to set the tone for our province-wide anniversary activities. Therefore, my government's policy is to provide the greatest flexibility possible for the decision-makers in cities, towns, and other centres throughout Alberta to plan and develop policies, thus enabling projects of lasting value and of the greatest local and community significance to be undertaken.


Members of the Legislative Assembly:

In due course you will be presented with budget proposals by my government to support these priorities and legislative initiatives, and to reflect a program of balanced initiatives consistent with appropriate restraint in public expenditures. You will be asked to grant the necessary funds for the operating services and expenditures authorized by the Legislature and to endorse a program of capital financing for the government of Alberta.

I leave you now to the business of the session with full confidence that as elected representatives your debates and your votes will reflect your understanding of the public interest of all people of Alberta.

I pray for your wisdom and strength in your deliberations