Peace River MLA Dan Williams has been busy recently with the Provincial Legislature getting back in session.
He’s been involved in several announcements recently as the Mental Health and Addictions Minister, the biggest one he says is on the plan to open two “compassionate intervention centres” in Alberta.
“Compassionate intervention is the idea that is someone is a danger to themselves or others because of their drug use, we will allow that individual to continue in that addiction but instead take that person out of addiction and potentially even mandatory treatment because not only does that person deserve an opportunity at recovery, our communities deserve safety as well.”
Williams has also introduced a bill in the legislature to create higher standards for addiction treatment and detox centres.
Meanwhile another major talking point in the province is the reaction to the government’s budget announcement, a budget that projects a $5.2-billion deficit this fiscal year on total spending of $79 billion.
Williams says he will continue to advocate for more investments in the region, particularly in highway work.
“I’ve been pushing very hard for Highway 88 to be paved and widened, especially the section closest to Slave Lake as many of our constituents use it. Highway 58 I’ve been working hard on, more upgrades on 35 I’ve been pushing and of course the 686 connector between the Peace Country and Fort McMurray to connect these two economic northern hubs.”
Williams does point out that there is some provincial dollars coming to the region, including $80 million for the new health centre in La Crete.
You can listen to the full interview below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
