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Laine Larson

UCP candidate for Edmonton-Rutherford
- Get the south Edmonton hospital built
- Give all children the best education to fit their unique skills and talents
- Make life affordable again

Affordability

Childcare

UCP's promise

Provide universal access to $10-a-day daycare by 2026

Public transit

UCP's promise

Consider expanding Calgary and Edmonton LRT to each city's airport

"Exploring an expanded LRT system in Calgary and Edmonton that would link to their respective airports." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-22

Tax measures and rebates

UCP's promises

Create a new 8% tax bracket on personal income under $60K

"A re-elected UCP government will create a new 8% bracket on income under $60,000. This means every Alberta earning $60,000 or more will save $760 – that’s over $1,500 per family! Albertans earning less than $60,000 will see a full 20% reduction to their provincial tax bill under this tax cut." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Extend the fuel tax suspension until 31 December, 2023

"A re-elected UCP government will also extend the Fuel Tax Holiday until December 31, 2023, saving Albertans 13 cents per a litre at the pump." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Index all tax brackets to inflation
Legislate that government can't increase personal or business taxes without a referendum

"This commitment to lowering taxes builds on our No Tax Hike Guarantee, the UCP’s pledge to not increase personal or business taxes. We will formalize this guarantee in government by expanding the Taxpayer Protection Act to ensure no future government can increase personal or business taxes without first getting approval from Albertans in a referendum." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Climate Change & the Environment

Land

UCP's promise

Develop a Crown Lands recreation and conservation policy together with stakeholders

"Bringing stakeholders together to develop an integrated and streamlined Crown Lands recreation and conservation policy that expands Albertans’ ability to enjoy our province’s beauty, in a responsible way that protects our natural spaces for generations to come." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-22

Public transit

UCP's promise

Consider expanding Calgary and Edmonton LRT to each city's airport

"Exploring an expanded LRT system in Calgary and Edmonton that would link to their respective airports." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-22

Education

Career planning

UCP's promises

Partner with industry and youth organisations to run career fairs for high school students

"Partner with various industry and youth organizations to organize career fairs for high school students. The initial focus will be on in-demand sectors such as manufacturing, construction, trades, tech, energy, and health." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-24

Create an online career counselling service for students and parents

"Establish a student-friendly online career counselling service for students and parents to learn more about various career opportunities and provide a roadmap for pursuing them." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-24

Start a career options awareness campaign

"Develop a public communication and awareness campaign to help ensure Albertans recognize all careers as valuable and legitimate and promote career pathways for all Albertans." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-24

Develop and fund training for teachers

"Develop and fund teacher training opportunities for career and technology studies and career and technology foundations programming." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-24

Provide scholarships

"Develop and promote career education scholarships for students." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-24

K-12 funding

UCP's promise

Expand funding for Career and Technology and Mobile CTS / Career and Technology Foundations for rural school boards

"Expanding Funding for Career and Technology (CTS) and Mobile CTS/ Career and Technology Foundations (CTF) for rural school boards

   Enhance the Dual Credit Grant Program to make more funding available for school authorities to create new dual credit programming and support existing programming. Funds can also be used to purchase new equipment or upgrade facilities that enhance existing dual credit opportunities.

   Provide new funding to support mobile CTS and CTF labs." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-24

Post-secondary institutions

UCP's promise

Increase access to off-campus education

"Develop and fund career education partnerships that provide career education opportunities for all Alberta students.

Align the pre-employment program costs for students in Alberta’s K-12 system with those incurred by post-secondary students.

Fund the growth of CAREERS: the Next Generation’s work to collaborate with public and separate school divisions to include student participation in off-campus programs, particularly expanding opportunities to connect youth with paid internships." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-24

Health & Healthcare

Autism

UCP's promise

Provide $5M for autism testing and education supports

"A re-elected United Conservative government will also add funding for testing and educational supports for children with autism and other complex needs to ensure there are improved wraparound supports integrating community, education, and health care." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-17

Drugs and addiction

UCP's promises

Spend $6M over two years to create sheriff-led teams targeting gun smuggling and fentanyl trafficking at the border
Allow family courts to issue treatment orders requiring a person to be treated for addiction, at the request of a family member, doctor, or police officer

"The Compassionate Intervention Act will allow a family member, doctor, or police officer to make a petition to family court for a treatment order when someone is a danger to themselves or others. The treatment order would require that person to engage in treatment for their addiction and drug use to save their life and protect the safety of the community." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-17

"Treatment orders would vary depending on the individual and their needs and circumstances and could include evidence-based medication treatment (Opioid Agonist Treatment or OAT), outpatient counseling, medical detox, inpatient addiction treatment, or attendance in an in-patient treatment program. The treatment order would provide the person with the best opportunity for recovery while ensuring communities are safe." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-18

Add 700 new publicly-funded addiction treatment beds across 11 new treatment centres, 4 of which built in partnership with First Nations

"A re-elected United Conservative government will build over 700 new publicly-funded addition treatment beds across 11 new treatment centres called recovery communities. Four of these new recovery communities will be built in partnership with First Nations including the Kainai Nation, the Enoch Cree Nation, the Siksika Nation, and the Tsuut’ina Nation." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-17

Invest $5M/year to expand resiliency education in schools

"Resilient Schools works together with First Nations and Métis school communities across Alberta to amplify the voice of youth and create opportunities for educators, Elders, parents, coaches and community members to develop their own strategies to enhance student success." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-27

Build four new youth mental wellness centres for inpatient mental health and addiction treatment

"Building four new youth mental wellness centres to provide inpatient mental health and addiction treatment to youth under the age of 18.

   These wellness centres are a new model for healing, recovery, and prevention and would provide 30 treatment spaces each, located in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and Lethbridge.

   A re-elected UCP government would invest $15 million in capital and $15 million in operating expenditures over four years.

       By bringing strategic partners together under one roof and providing the personalized, treatment-focused space that they need, they are able to better respond to the challenges presented by mental health concerns, child abuse, child sexual exploitation, and other child and youth related traumas.

       Building these purpose-built spaces reduces unnecessary use of more expensive acute-care beds." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-27

Mental health

UCP's promises

Build 5 new 75-bed mental wellness centres

"A United Conservative government will also address the lack of inpatient support for mental health treatment in Alberta by building five new 75-bed mental wellness centres. These new centres will add a total of 375 inpatient mental health beds across the province." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-17

Invest $20M/year to increase the number of Mental Health Classrooms from 20 to 60

"Increasing the number of Mental Health Classrooms from 20 to 60 across Alberta by investing $20 million per year.

   Mental Health Classrooms provide clinical mental health support to students with significant mental health needs in their school in a specialized classroom setting.

   Mental Health Classroom teams consist of a mental health therapist, psychiatrist and classroom behavioural specialist. The teams are supported by a health team that includes a nurse, social worker, educational psychologist, speech and language therapist, and occupational therapist.

   The first twenty Mental Health Classrooms were announced in July 2022 as part of a broader investment into Mental Health by the UCP Government.

   The UCP expects an additional $20 million per year for expansion as part of the recent MOU with the government of Canada." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-27

Invest $4.5M/year to expand the Integrated School Support Program to 22 more high-needs schools

"Expanding the Integrated School Support Program to an additional twenty-two high-needs schools across the province through a $4.5 million per year investment.

   The Integrated School Support Program (ISSP) provides low intensity mental health support in high-needs schools by partnering social programs like nutrition support, literacy programming, and mental health supports.

   The ISSP is a prevention-based plan first spearheaded by the Calgary Police Service in the fall of 2014. It helps at-risk children by providing them with the necessary supports to thrive both academically and socially.

   ISSP offers a positive police presence in the schools, on-site psychologists, physical education specialists, social workers and health clinicians, as well as breakfast, lunch and afterschool programs at no cost to families." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-27

Invest $5M/year to expand resiliency education in schools

"Resilient Schools works together with First Nations and Métis school communities across Alberta to amplify the voice of youth and create opportunities for educators, Elders, parents, coaches and community members to develop their own strategies to enhance student success." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-27

Build four new youth mental wellness centres for inpatient mental health and addiction treatment

"Building four new youth mental wellness centres to provide inpatient mental health and addiction treatment to youth under the age of 18.

   These wellness centres are a new model for healing, recovery, and prevention and would provide 30 treatment spaces each, located in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and Lethbridge.

   A re-elected UCP government would invest $15 million in capital and $15 million in operating expenditures over four years.

       By bringing strategic partners together under one roof and providing the personalized, treatment-focused space that they need, they are able to better respond to the challenges presented by mental health concerns, child abuse, child sexual exploitation, and other child and youth related traumas.

       Building these purpose-built spaces reduces unnecessary use of more expensive acute-care beds." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-27

Invest $4M/year to expand Counselling Alberta to provide affordable same-day, no-wait-list counselling sessions for all Albertans

"Expanding Counselling Alberta to provide same day, no wait list, accessible and affordable counselling sessions for all Albertans by investing $4 million per year.

   Counselling Alberta is a division of the Calgary Counselling Centre that provides virtual counselling across Alberta.

   This expansion of services outside Calgary is made possible through a partnership between the Government of Alberta and Calgary Counselling Centre to address the growing need for mental health services in the province." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-27

Natal care

UCP's promises

Provide $10M to add more obstetrics doctors and create a Midwives Strategy

"An investment of $10 million over the next two years will help develop a Province-wide Midwives Strategy and provide improved healthcare support for women by adding more obstetrics doctors for communities in need, this will include Lethbridge and other rural and mid-sized cities. These initiatives will assist in reducing the pressure on obstetrics, ERs and primary care, particularly in rural Alberta." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-17

Expand newborn screening to include testing for five more conditions

"The UCP will expand that by five more including:

· Congenital cytomegalovirus;

· Argininosuccinic aciduria;

· Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency;

· Mucopolysaccharidosis type 1; and

· 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-17

Primary care

UCP's promise

Any medical services or prescriptions currently covered by Alberta Health Insurance will remain so

'“I want to be clear: under the UCP’s Public Health Care Guarantee, we are committing to all Albertans that under no circumstances will any Albertan ever have to pay out-of-pocket to see their family doctor or to get the medical treatment they need,” said UCP Leaders Danielle Smith. “It means that a UCP government, under my leadership, will not de-list any medical services or prescriptions now covered by Alberta Health Insurance. No exceptions.”' — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-12

"A re-elected UCP government will continue to ensure Albertans have public access to a family doctor and that no Albertan will ever have to pay out of pocket to see them." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-12

"As we continue to invest and innovate, to deliver on the reforms needed to move Alberta’s health care system forward, we will only look to add new listed publicly funded health services. We will not de-list any health services currently available." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-12

Seniors' health and services

UCP's promises

Provide a 25% seniors' discount on personal registry services, campsite bookings, and medical driving tests

Women's health

UCP's promise

Provide $10M to the Alberta Women's Health Foundation

"Finally, a legacy grant to the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation (AWHF) will support women-focused research, advocacy, and care. This $10 million grant will fund research into cervical cancer, heart disease, and other women’s health matters as well as recruit top researchers to the province. The grant will further support advocacy and awareness efforts, including national campaigns and women’s health empowerment initiatives." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-17

Jobs & the Economy

Agriculture

UCP's promise

Expand the Feeder Assistance Loan Guarantee to $3M

Calgary

UCP's promises

Work with Calgary and the Calgary Exhibition to build infrastructure around an arena and entertainment district

"Working with the City of Calgary and the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede to build supportive infrastructure for a world-class arena and entertainment district." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-22

Provide up to $300M for new infrastructure and infrastructure improvements

"Contributing up to $300 million, the majority over the next three years, for supportive infrastructure like roads, bridges LRT connections, site utilities, site reclamation and more.

   This includes the 6th street SE underpass, and improvements to 5th St SE, and 15th, 17th, and 25th Ave SE." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-22

Build a new 1,000-seat community arena for youth and amateur hockey

"Working with the City of Calgary to build a new 1,000-seat community arena neighbouring the main arena that will serve youth and amateur hockey." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-22

Forestry

UCP's promise

Expand the Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit to forestry

Retention

UCP's promise

Provide a $3K-$10K tax credit for students in particular high-demand professions to stay and work in Alberta after graduation

" Graduates are eligible for the tax credit if they:

o Graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Alberta with a certificate, diploma, or degree and paid tuition

o Are residing in and filing taxes in Alberta

o Are registered and practicing/working as a high-demand health professional, apprentice or certified journeyperson and child care workers in an eligible occupation on a full-time basis.

 As a start, eligible occupations will include doctors, registered nurse, nurse practitioners, midwives, paramedics, child care professionals, and those in skilled trades." — Diversification and Job Creation Strategy Backgrounder KMQA, retrieved 2023-05-09

Startups and small businesses

UCP's promises

Give an additional $100 million to the Alberta Enterprise Corporation to attract more venture capital investment
Invest $25M in Indigenous equity funds

"We will also ensure Indigenous communities in Alberta can benefit from venture capital projects by investing $25 million in Indigenous equity funds." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Double the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation's loan capacity to $2B, and expand project eligibility to manufacturing, forestry, health care, technology, and tourism

"A UCP government will double the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC) loan capacity to $2 billion and further expand the types of projects that are eligible. The AIOC was first created in 2019 under the United Conservatives and was expanded in early 2022, to help indigenous communities participate in major natural resource, agriculture, telecommunication, and transportation projects. This expansion of the program will open new doors for indigenous communities to be partners in Alberta’s success by adding investment opportunities in manufacturing, forestry, health care, technology, and tourism." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Tourism

UCP's promises

Encourage increased flights to Alberta

"Encouraging increased flights from Canada and around the world through West Jet, Condor, Flair, Swoop, Lynx, and Porter all of whom have grown their Alberta presence." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-22

Fund more aviation management seats at Mount Royal University and provide more grants

"Funding more aviation management seats at Mount Royal University, and grants to help more Albertans pursue a career in aviation." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-22

Allocate $10M/year for five years to Travel Alberta's Air Access Program

"Ensuring Travel Alberta’s Air Access Program achieves a total annual allocation of $10 million for five years for Alberta-based carriers to improve access to visitors from target, high-value markets." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-22

Trades

UCP's promises

Provide a $1,200 non-refundable tax credit to people who move to Alberta in 2023 or 2024 to work in particular skilled trades and professions
  • "The Alberta is Calling signing bonus.

o A $1,200 non-refundable tax credit for targeted skilled trades and professions where we have labour shortages – including in healthcare, childcare, and trades. Workers will be eligible after living here for a year." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

"To be eligible for the $1,200 payment in this pilot program an employee must:

- Have moved to Alberta in 2023 or 2024

- Be registered and working full time as a high demand professional health care practitioner (Doctor, RN, NP, Midwife, Paramedic), child care worker, or an apprentice or certified journeyperson in one of the 49 recognized trades.

- Have filed their first tax return in Alberta for the tax year 2023 or 2024. New Albertans will be eligible to apply when they have received their (first) tax assessment for 2023 or 2024 (as with a similar program in Nova Scotia). The bonus will be considered taxable income." — Diversification and Job Creation Strategy Backgrounder KMQA, retrieved 2023-05-09

Partner with industry and youth organisations to run career fairs for high school students

"Partner with various industry and youth organizations to organize career fairs for high school students. The initial focus will be on in-demand sectors such as manufacturing, construction, trades, tech, energy, and health." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-24

Unions

UCP's promises

Consult with unions to amend Bill 32 to reduce "red tape" on union charitable donations

"Alberta’s United Conservative Party will change Alberta’s labour legislation to reduce red tape for charitable giving by union locals. The UCP will work with Alberta’s private sector unions to find ways to reduce the red-tape aspects of “Bill 32.”

The UCP continues to support the intent of the legislation to give union members more say over how their union dues are spent, but it is also sensitive that “Bill 32” changes made it unduly onerous for unions to make charitable donations to community and human service charities.

“It was never the government’s intent to prevent unions from supporting the Christmas Bureau or providing relief during disasters, or in other ways supporting community charities,” said Brian Jean, the UCP candidate for Fort McMurray Lac La Biche. “We are supportive of unions efforts to be a positive force in the communities where they work. We recognize that the changes in “Bill 32” created red tape for activities that the government has no concerns about.”

The UCP will consult with Alberta unions to make amendments to the legislation and regulations so that there is better alignment between the original intent and the legislation." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-25

Society & Government

Budgets

UCP's promises

Keep the provincial budget balanced

"Danielle Smith today committed that a United Conservative Party government will keep the provincial budget balanced, repay Rachel Notley’s debt, and save for the future to reduce our reliance on natural resource revenue." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-17

Community spaces and facilities

UCP's promises

Create an infrastructure fund with $80M over four years to build mid-sized recreation facilities, especially in rapidly growing communities

"A re-elected UCP government will create the Community Recreation Centre Infrastructure Fund will ensure growing communities have the facilities they need to stay healthy and have strong youth sports opportunities. This $80 million investment over four years would especially help get mid-sized recreation facilities into rapidly growing communities sooner." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-25

Public safety

UCP's promises

Add 100 more patrol officers on city streets

"Adding 100 police officers to Edmonton and Calgary to address chronic and worsening crime issues, particularly in the downtown cores and on transit." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Continue deploying sheriffs alongside police in Calgary and Edmonton

"Extending the downtown sheriff redeployment pilot program until at least the end of 2023, and longer if necessary." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Provide $4M more over four years for Internet and Child Exploitation teams, funding education and door-knocking for low-risk cases

"Increasing support for the Internet and Child Exploitation (ICE) teams.

   Funding an engagement team that could deliver education, presentations, and in-person door knocks on low-risk files." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Start an electronic monitoring programme of "possible violent reoffenders" out on bail

"Initiating an ankle bracelet program for violent and/or sexual offenders on bail.

   Establishing a 24/7 electronic monitoring program to help protect Albertans against possible violent reoffenders who are out on bail.

   Providing further options for courts to impose electronic monitoring as a condition of bail." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Increase funding to ALERT regarding gang violence, including expanding a cyber-crime unit, DNA lab, and monitoring of gang connections to catalytic converter theft

"Increasing funding for ALERT for suppressing gang violence.

   Initiatives we would look to expand under ALERT include:

   •   Provincial Cyber Crime Unit;

   •   Provincial DNA lab; and

   •   Increased monitoring of the gang connections to the skyrocketing rates of catalytic converter theft." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

"As part of the Safe Streets Action Plan, a re-elected UCP government would implement bracelet monitoring of dangerous offenders out on bail and deploy sheriffs to monitor them. They would add 100 more patrol officers on city streets, continue to deploy sheriffs alongside Calgary and Edmonton police officers to address public disorder, create new anti-fentanyl and illegal-gun trafficking teams, as well as increase funding for internet child exploitation and gang suppression units. A re-elected UCP government will make it easier for moms and dads to know the whereabouts of violent and sexual offenders, as well as make investments in women’s shelters and sexual assault counselling." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Misc. topics

Domestic abuse and sexual assault

UCP's promises

Run a two-year, $3M advertising campaign to expand awareness of Clare's law

"Clare’s Law protocol allows Albertans to submit applications to obtain information regarding an intimate partner’s possible history of domestic and/or sexual violence victimizing partners or children." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-09

Provide an additional $10M over four years to women's shelters
Provide an additional $10M over four years for sexual assault counselling

Parks

UCP's promises

Provide $5M more for K-country trail improvements in 2024
Develop over 900 new campsites for comfort camping over 10 years

"Develop more than 900 new campsites and several new locations for comfort camping over the next 10 years." — unitedconservative.ca, retrieved 2023-05-22

Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team
Laine Larson is the UCP candidate for Edmonton Rutherford.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Laine believes in Alberta and cares about its future.

He has a Bachelor of Theology and spent his early career working with Alberta’s youth, developing his leadership skills and theirs.

He has since moved into sales and management roles with some top level Western Canadian companies and is a successful day-trader. Now with a wife and three beautiful daughters, Laine wants to ensure that Alberta’s social and economic futures are bright, by supporting families, promoting growth for small businesses, and shortening wait times for health care. 

Laine contributes to his community to make a difference wherever he is. He joined the Edmonton Rutherford constituency board as a Vice President at their first AGM in 2018, he coaches a ball hockey team, and is a leader in his church. 

Laine believes in standing up for the people in his riding, building a thriving economy where Albertans can prosper, and he is looking forward to being their voice at the Legislature.

Reason for running

submitted by the candidate or their team
Alberta is the greatest province in Canada. It is my home, I want to do my part in helping it grow and thrive for all Albertans.

I enjoy talking with people and hearing their concerns and ideas. Together we are stronger. When we combine our knowledge and experiences, we can make policies that work.

lainelarson.com lainelarson.com