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 Available by subscription only, Insight Into Government is Alberta's independent, weekly newsletter on policy and politics. On this Web site we have provided a free sample of Insight Into Government, subscription and contact information, related links, as well as the feature column below which is available only online. All material on this site remains the copyright of MSL Publishing Ltd.

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Week ending 4 Sep 2009 Vol 24, No 3

Feature Article: A new advisory committee on health policy leaves observers puzzled, but indicates the minister is serious about major reforms, starting next spring. (Health advisory committee appointed - Committee terms of reference, PDF, 28 KB, Vision 2020 statement on future health care [December 2008], PDF, 1.6 MB, Highlights of Vision 2020, PDF, 188 KB, Vision 2020 news release with minister's comments, Examples of earlier reform exercises).

Also in this week's edition:

  1. The first-quarter fiscal update showed a government more dependent on the state of the economy than on resource revenues, but also showed the economic outlook slipping. (First-quarter fiscal update, PDF, 196 KB, News release with Q1 update economic outlook).
  2. Federal transfers to Alberta will account for about one-sixth of provincial revenues this year, the highest level since 1993.
  3. Hospital investment decisions are generating controversy, perhaps more than the politicians expected. Another delay in the start of surgeries at a heart institute that had a grand opening a year and a half ago doesn't help. ("Empty Hospital" episode of Yes Minister).
  4. The electoral boundaries commission gets off to a fast start on its work; it will hold several public hearings around the province this month and next. (Commission's list of public hearing locations).
  5. Full appointment list, with members' backgrounds, for the minister's advisory committee on health.
  6. Auditor General - Fred Dunn plans his retirement, issues a warning.
  7. Alberta doctors feel the sting of public reaction to pay for flu care, and wonder where the government's support has gone. (Doctors' flu pay - news story with attached viewer comments).
  8. United Nurses of Alberta suspends talks on a transitional provincewide contract..