At a Glance - Week of July 30, 2025
New MOUs Signed with Ontario and Saskatchewan
Alberta and Ontario welcomed Saskatchewan into a new tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaboratively develop pipelines and trade infrastructure across provincial borders. This initiative aims to deliver Western Canada’s oil and gas to southern Ontario refineries and establish a new deep sea port in James Bay, alongside rail links from Ontario’s Ring of Fire to Western ports. The agreement builds on earlier MOUs signed between Alberta and Ontario that set the stage for deeper interprovincial energy and trade collaboration.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated: “We’re taking action to grow our economy, build real infrastructure and get major projects moving. Alberta is proud to lead the way in uniting with provinces that share a vision for responsible development, economic freedom and common sense. We’re standing up for our oil and gas sector and making sure our world-class resources reach the markets that need them. Together, Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan are showing what’s possible when provinces step up.”
Increased Primary Care Options for Rural Albertans
Alberta is investing in rural primary health care through two new funding initiatives. A $16 million bursary pilot program will support 74 family medicine residents placed in rural communities through 2027. Additionally, the Rural Team Recruitment Grant will invest $6 million over two years into rural primary care clinics to hire nurses, pharmacists, and physiotherapists. These efforts, part of Alberta’s Rural Health Action Plan, aim to build sustainable, team-based care that ensures faster local access to health services.
Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, commented: “This is a great example of how we’re delivering real improvements in primary health care. Our bursary program will help bring more family doctors to rural communities, and the team-based care grants mean Albertans will have better access to health professionals who can support their needs.”
Alberta’s Adds $2.8 Billion to the Heritage Fund
Alberta has deposited an additional $2.8 billion into its Heritage Savings Trust Fund, bringing the total to a record $30 billion – up from $27.2 billion the prior year. The province aims to grow the fund to $250 billion by 2050, enabling it to draw on investment income to help stabilize resource revenue, invest in infrastructure, support public services, and maintain low taxes.
“Alberta is turning resource strength into lasting financial security. By growing the Heritage Fund, we’re strengthening core services like health care and education, while preserving the low-tax Alberta advantage. This $2.8-billion boost to the Heritage Fund is a bold step that sets the province on the path to success and puts Albertans first,” commented Premier Danielle Smith.
Alberta Leads in Housing Construction
Alberta remains the national leader in housing construction, according to a recent report by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). New CMHC data reveals that the province is on pace to surpass its record-breaking performance in 2024, with 27,902 housing starts recorded in the first half of 2025 – a 30% increase compared to the same period last year.
“Alberta’s record housing starts are a clear sign that our approach is working. While other jurisdictions are falling behind, Alberta continues to step up – leading the way in housing construction, cutting red tape and delivering results that matter. This is what it looks like when a government does what it takes to get shovels in the ground and homes built,” commented Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, Jason Nixon.
New Investments in Waste Reduction and Resource Transformation
Alberta is investing up to $49 million from the industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program to support 18 projects aimed at waste reduction and resource transformation. These initiatives are expected to create about 1,600 jobs and inject $233 million into the provincial economy. Key areas of focus include waste management, carbon utilization, critical minerals, energy storage, geothermal energy, and recycling systems. It will also create the province’s first recycling system for agricultural plastics and a facility that converts construction wood waste into building materials.
“Manufacturing is a pillar of our economy, employing tens of thousands of Albertans and solving real-world challenges. This funding will help manufacturers do more with the resources we already have, producing the goods Albertans rely on while strengthening the province’s global competitiveness, creating more jobs and protecting the environment,” stated Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz.