The Province of Alberta has announced they'll pay the cost of police information checks for some volunteers - those working with children, seniors or the disabled.

"The Volunteer Police Information Check Program has proven itself to be a vital resource that will continue to aid nonprofit/voluntary organizations in ensuring the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable citizens," said Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Culture, in making the announcement. "We are very pleased to continue our partnership with Volunteer Alberta in delivering this valuable program."

Tim Elliott, chair of Volunteer Airdrie, says this will help organizations keep the money where it can do the most good:

Nonprofit and voluntary organizations routinely conduct police checks of volunteers working with vulnerable groups to ensure the protection of the populations they are benefitting. The police checks also protect the organizations enlisting the volunteers.

The program will provide $800,000 in annual funding and be administered in collaboration with Volunteer Alberta.