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By Troy Gillard/rdnewsNOW

Long-term plan sought

Alberta strikes advisory group aimed at supporting working parents

Apr 23, 2021 | 12:49 PM

The provincial government is bringing together a new advisory group to help inform a long-term plan for Alberta to support parents who are working or getting back to work.

The Supporting Alberta Working Parents Advisory Group will look at the latest research, data and economic analysis to consider short and long-term initiatives to ensure parents, particularly women, can take part in Alberta’s economic recovery. The advisory group will also provide advice on how best to leverage federal funds to suit the unique needs of Alberta parents and child care operators.

“We know child care is essential for our economic recovery, and we need a made-in-Alberta approach so we can better support women and working families in our province. I’m grateful that this outstanding group has agreed to lend their expertise and experience to this important initiative,” says Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children’s Services.

The advisory group includes representatives from civil society, business, municipal government and parent advocacy groups, and will provide advice to the Minister of Children’s Services on an ongoing basis. The members of the new Supporting Alberta Working Parents Advisory Group are:

• Heather Colberg, Town of Drumheller

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• Liz Elliott, Families that Work

• Kristi Hines, Hines Health Services, Fort McMurray

• Elan MacDonald, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

• Liz O’Neill, Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area

• Beba Svigir, Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association

• Sue Tomney, YWCA Calgary

• Anita Turna, Alberta Association of Child Care Operators (AACCO)

The minister’s child care working group, made up of not-for-profit and private child care, out-of-school care and preschool operators across the province, will also continue to meet and provide feedback and guidance on operational issues.