News Releases

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)

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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