Service Alberta Newsroom

News Releases

2009

Tenant-landlord dispute resolution service expands to central Alberta (June 29, 2009)
Edmonton... Tenants and landlords in central Alberta now have access to a fast and inexpensive way to settle disputes outside the courtroom... (more)

Alberta health care insurance plan registration services expand to Medicine Hat (June 26, 2009)
Medicine Hat... Medicine Hat residents will now be able to register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan or update their information at a local registry agent... (more)

Innovative online tool makes starting a business easier (June 19, 2009) 
BizPaL expands to Strathcona County and Fort Saskatchewan
Strathcona County and Fort Saskatchewan... Strathcona County and Fort Saskatchewan are the latest Alberta communities to launch BizPaL, an innovative online business permit and licence service that saves time and paperwork for entrepreneurs... (more)

Alberta government protects payday loan consumers (June 3, 2009)
Payday loan companies will have to follow new rules limiting borrowing costs, banning rollover loans and giving borrowers a cooling-off period under a consumer protection regulation introduced by the Alberta government... (more)

Government enhances protection for domestic workers (May 27, 2009)
The Alberta government is repealing a decades-old exemption that allowed employment agencies to charge extra fees to nannies, live-in caregivers, cooks and other people looking to work in private homes... (more)

Government cautions Albertans about home renovation scam (May 25, 2009)
The Alberta government warns that unlicensed itinerant contractors are believed to be operating in the province and may be taking advantage of unsuspecting homeowners... (more)

Input from Albertans sought on regulations for home inspectors (May 14, 2009)
Albertans are invited to provide input on whether the government should create regulations for the home inspection industry and what they should include. Currently, there are no specific provincial rules governing the industry... (more)

Businesses benefit from Alberta-B.C. trade agreement
Seamless corporate registration reduces fees and paperwork (April 24, 2009)
Businesses operating in both Alberta and British Columbia will save time and money under a streamlined process for registering in the two provinces… (more)

Registration services for Alberta health care insurance expand (March 23, 2009)
Beginning April 1, Albertans will be able to register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan or update their information at 20 different registry agent offices across the province. The service will be provided at no cost to Albertans… (more)

Albertans recognized for excellence in consumer protection and information (March 9, 2009)
A money management coaching program, a consumer newspaper column, a business referral service, and a program educating youth on financial issues are examples of some of the initiatives recognized this year as part of the Alberta Consumer Champion Awards... (more) 

New licence plate design put on hold (February 18, 2009)
The introduction of a new licence plate design for the province has been postponed, and instead a lower cost approach will be taken by adding a fourth number to the existing plate once the available plate configurations run out later this year... (more)

Do your homework before hiring contractors for renovations (February 13, 2009)
Are you getting ready to tear down a wall, lay out new hardwood or replace an old heating system? The new federal Home Renovation Tax Credit might have you considering improvements to your home. Before hiring a contractor, be sure to understand the rules and protections in place... (more)

Alberta parents deliver record number of babies in 2008 (February 13, 2009)
Alberta had another record-breaking year for births, with more than 50,543 babies born in the province during 2008… (more)

Motor vehicle and land title services not available during Family Day long weekend (January 30, 2009)
Due to computer maintenance, motor vehicle and land title transactions done online and through registry offices will not be available during the Family Day long weekend, Feb. 14-16. … (more)

Online business licence and permit tool expands to Calgary (January 23, 2009)
Starting and running a business in Calgary just became easier thanks to BizPaL, an online business permit and licence service that saves time spent on paperwork and helps entrepreneurs start up faster…(more)

2008

Government charges foreign employment recruiter in Edmonton (December 15, 2008)
The Alberta government has charged an Edmonton-based employment agency for operating without a licence, unfair practices, fraud and charging thousands of dollars in fees for finding jobs that never materialized…(more)

Birth registration and S.I.N. application made easier (December 12, 2008)
Alberta parents of newborns can now use a single application form to both register their child’s birth and apply for their child’s Social Insurance Number (SIN). The joint initiative was announced by Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Service Alberta....(more)

Contractor facing charges might be operating in Edmonton area (December 11, 2008)
Homeowners are warned that Perimeter Fencing and Decks Ltd. could still be operating in the Edmonton area despite charges against owner Scott McAra for taking deposits without performing any work...(more)

Unlicensed prepaid contractor working in the Edmonton area (September 26, 2008)
Homeowners should be aware of a home renovator named John Alexander Lazerman who may be operating in Edmonton and the surrounding communities. In February Lazerman registered the trade name Foundation Man. Lazerman does not have a provincial prepaid contractor’s license and has not provided a security bond to the Government of Alberta. The province has started an investigation in response to a recent complaint from a consumer...(more)

Alberta Consumer Champion Awards now accepting submissions (September 12, 2008)
Are you a consumer champion? Albertans are invited to put their best work forward and send in submissions to the third Alberta Consumer Champion Awards. The awards recognize those who demonstrate commitment and innovation in educating consumers and promoting fairness in the Alberta marketplace...(more)

Government ensures Albertans get full value for gift cards (September 10, 2008)
New rules in Alberta will eliminate expiry dates and inactivity fees on gift cards starting November 1, ensuring consumers receive full value for gift cards. “Gift cards have become incredibly popular in our province and we want to make sure Albertans get what they pay for,” said Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Service Alberta. “This new regulation will ensure that if a consumer buys a $50 gift card, it will be worth $50 no matter when it is redeemed.”...(more)

Thousands provide input on Alberta's licence plate (June 17, 2008)
More than 33,000 Albertans took part in the consultation on Alberta’s licence plate earlier this year, providing input on colours, themes, the slogan, and other issues. The results of the consultation along with decisions on the future direction of Alberta’s licence plate, were announced by Service Alberta Minister Heather Klimchuk...(more)

Landlord-tenant dispute resolution service opens doors in Calgary (June 4, 2008)
Landlords and tenants in Calgary will now be better able to settle disputes outside the courtroom. Alberta’s Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) is expanding to Calgary, and area, and will begin accepting applications from landlords and tenants on June 16… (more)

Government terminates Smoky Lake registry agent agreement (March 13, 2008)
This action is based on the findings of an investigation into a complaint involving a serious breach of registry agent policy. Termination of the agreement means Smoky Lake Registries, located at 45 White Earth St. in Smoky Lake, will no longer provide government registry services...(more)

Smoky Lake registry employee suspended pending investigation (March 12, 2008)
Smoky Lake... The Government of Alberta has suspended the registry database access of an employee of Smoky Lake Registries, 45 White Earth St., pending the outcome of an internal investigation into concerns about the employee’s performance... (more)

BizPaL launched in Edmonton (February 1, 2008)
Starting and running a business in the City of Edmonton just became easier thanks to BizPaL, a new online business permit and licence service that saves time spent on paperwork and helps entrepreneurs start up faster... (more)

Ethan, Ava still most popular names for Alberta's booming babies (January 28, 2008)
Alberta is in the midst of what appears to be a baby boom, yet another indication of the province’s rising prosperity... (more)

Unlicensed employment agency fined $3,000; pays restitution (January 12, 2008)
An unlicensed employment agency that attracted clients seeking employment in Alberta's red hot economy was fined $3,000 in provincial court on January 10, 2006 and has made restitution of more than $11,000... (more)

2007

New high-security birth certificate designed to stop identity thieves (December 10, 2007)
The Government of Alberta and its partners on the Vital Statistics Council for Canada have developed a new high-security birth certificate designed to protect Albertans from one of the oldest crimes in the book - fraud and identity theft. The new birth certificate will be available starting February 1 next year... (more)

Get full value for your gift cards this holiday shopping season (November 30, 2007)
Canadian retailers estimate shoppers will stuff more that $1.25 billion worth of gift cards into stockings this Christmas, testimony to the growing popularity of a present that is easy to carry, easy to wrap and easy to use... (more)

Right to Know Week highlights the importance of access to information and privacy of personal records (October 1, 2007)
Albertans’ right to obtain records and have their personal information protected is being highlighted during Right to Know Week, September 28-October 5... (more)
 
New education program helps Albertans combat identity theft (September 11, 2007)
The Alberta government and the Edmonton Police Service have joined forces to create a new tool for preventing identity theft... (more)
 
Younger travellers now eligible for photo ID cards (September 6, 2007)
Albertans age 12 and older planning to travel by air can now obtain a government-issued photo identification card from the province’s registry agents… (more)
 
Students and other first-time renters should do their homework before signing a lease (August 24, 2007)
Students looking for a place to call home while they attend post-secondary programs should do a little homework before making a final decision... (more)

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