Supporting groups across Alberta
By Chantelle de Jonge Chestermere-Strathmore MLA
Our government is strengthening the supports Albertans need during some of the most important moments in their lives, by increasing funding for survivors of sexual violence, improving the response when vulnerable Albertans go missing, expanding opportunities for midwifery care, and investing more than $38 million in community support groups across Alberta.
Survivors of sexual violence and abuse need to be able to access the support they need, no matter where they live in the province. That’s why we are investing nearly $21 million to strengthen specialized care services across Alberta. This includes $17 million for 15 sexual assault centres and funding for the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services, as well as $3.7 million for eight child advocacy centres. Child advocacy centres bring medical and mental health professionals together in one place to support children and youth who have experienced abuse, reducing the likelihood that they will have to relive their trauma as they move through the justice system. These investments will help survivors and families get specialized care when they need it most.
When vulnerable Albertans go missing, every minute matters, and it becomes critical to respond quickly to help protect their safety. This is why our government is reviewing how Alberta’s emergency alert system responds in these situations. Public Safety and Emergency Services will work with police, disability advocates, and community partners to examine current emergency alert processes, including the criteria for issuing an Amber Alert. This work will help ensure Alberta’s alert system responds effectively when vulnerable Albertans go missing and that law enforcement has the right tools to deal with these urgent situations.
Families across the province will have more choices for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. Applications are now open for the Alberta Midwifery Strategy Grant, backed by a $5-million investment from our government. Individual projects can receive up to $750,000 to recruit and support midwives, and bring services to more rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Midwifery is a publicly-funded health service for low-risk pregnancies, providing care throughout pregnancy, labour, birth, and the first six weeks after delivery. By helping more communities access these services, our government is giving families more options and helping bring maternal care closer to home.
Strong communities often depend on the local organizations that know their neighbours best. Through Budget 2026, our government is investing more than $38 million through the Community Facility Enhancement Program and Community Initiatives Program. These grants help non-profits improve community facilities, run local programs, support families, and strengthen community services. Through the Community Facility Enhancement Program, every $1 invested by our government attracts an average of $3 from other partners. That means local organizations can turn provincial support into bigger projects and lasting benefits for their communities.
Our government is making sure that Albertans are not left to face their challenges alone. Whether it is helping survivors of sexual violence find care, protecting vulnerable Albertans, giving families more health-care choices, or backing the organizations that hold communities together. Together, these actions show that our government is meeting Albertans where they are.
(Chantelle de Jonge is the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore and the Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities)