http://www.glenoracommunity.com 1326680548 http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/future_of_royal_alberta_museums_glenora_site_unknown/ http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/future_of_royal_alberta_museums_glenora_site_unknown/#When:01:53:03Z By Vickie Laliotis EDMONTON — Now that federal funding to rebuild the Royal Alberta Museum downtown has come through, heritage advocates have high hopes for the current west Edmonton site. Royal Alberta Museum The facade of the Royal Alberta Museum’s Glenora location taken on Nov. 18, 2011, two days after Edmonton Centre MP Laurie Hawn announced that a new downtown location would be built. Photograph by Vickie Laliotis. Edmonton Centre MP Laurie Hawn announced on Nov. 16 that the federal government would put $122.5 million towards the project on the condition that construction on the new site begins by November of next year. A design-build contract was signed with Ledcor Design Group, with plans for the provincial museum to take up residence just north of City Hall by 2015 now in full swing. “Although Edmonton has a huge connection to the current site, the vision that they have for the museum is a good, strategic move,” architectural historian Marianne Fedori said. “But regardless of the museum being there or not, retention of the existing building is paramount as it has historical significance to Alberta, and it’s a wonderful example of late modernist architecture.” After weeks of uncertainty regarding the proposed downtown location, and a rollercoaster ride over Ottawa’s $92.5 million contribution to the project, some Edmontonians are now turning their attention toward what will come of the existing building. “We will miss the museum at its current site, but a whole series of issues would need to be resolved for the museum to be able to function there,” said Glenora Community League president Beth Sanders. “They need to do what’s best for the museum and for the city in general.” Located on 12845 102 Ave., the current building can barely house half of the museum’s collection and is not hermetically sealed to display certain pieces. The new museum is to be 36,000 square metres — or about nine times larger than the Glenora location’s exhibit space — and will be properly sealed for a variety of exhibitions. Edmonton-Glenora MLA Heather Klimchuk confirmed that the Royal Alberta Museum will continue to operate from its current location for the next three to four years, hosting exhibits and lectures until the new site is completed. “Although no decision has been made regarding the current building’s future, it will remain a public site for Edmontonians to use and enjoy,” she said. Klimchuk confirmed that a new official residence for the Lieutenant Governor will be constructed on the grounds, and that the province has plans to “build something magnificent for Alberta.” The existing Government House building was home to six of Alberta’s lieutenant governors from 1913 to 1938, and now serves as a government conference centre. No changes will be made to that particular building. “I think that having the Lieutenant Governor’s house there again would be a remarkable way to promote Glenora’s history,” Fedori said, citing the possibility of a civic museum occupying the Royal Alberta Museum’s current building. “The Heritage Council is doing a museum review for the City of Edmonton to look at all possibilities in the near future, including everything from whether or not it should be a museum, what kinds of collections it should house, et cetera,” said Edmonton Heritage Council executive director Allison Argy-Burgess. “But for that space to be a museum of any kind, it would need extensive renovations first.” Klimchuk agrees with the need for thorough renovations, noting the educational potential of the building as it stands. The current Royal Alberta Museum is connected to the Alberta SuperNet, linking it to universities, libraries and other public institutions across the province through a broadband network. “The space is vibrant and it has a connection to the SuperNet, so there are some educational opportunities there that will be explored,” she said. LaliotisV@mymail.macewan.ca 2011-12-14T01:53:03+00:00 http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/glenora_condo_development_to_change_communitys_skyline/ http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/glenora_condo_development_to_change_communitys_skyline/#When:01:32:39Z EDMONTON — Construction of the Glenora Skyline condominium development is set to begin January, and will drastically change the corner of Stony Plain Road and 142 Street. By Tejay Gardiner   http://www.westedmontonlocal.ca Construction of the Glenora Skyline Condo project is set to begin in January. The Foot Clinic, EarthTones Garden Shoppe and the Glenora Village Strip Mall will be demolished and replaced by three residential towers. Photograph by Tejay Gardiner. The luxury tri-tower condominium complex will be located on the northeast corner of the intersection. City council approved the development in 2004 but construction was put on hold until plans for the LRT were finalized, Skyline general manager Brenda Maier said. “Now that that is virtually done, we will be starting construction in January of 2012,” she said. Three businesses have been bought out and will need to relocate to accommodate the new development. The first is the Foot Clinic. A sign posted on its front entrance alerts patients the clinic will be moving Dec. 23 and will re-open on Jan. 3 at Suite 128, 17010 90 Ave. in Westgate Centre across from West Edmonton Mall. Dr. Richard Bochinski said he wasn’t too concerned about relocating the 16-year-old clinic. “It’s part of business,” he said. “We haven’t had any complaints from our patients.” The development project may be a larger concern for residents of the area, he said. “I’m glad I don’t live here, because when construction starts it will be a nightmare for traffic.” The Foot Clinic will be demolished in January, and construction of the first tower is to begin immediately. “The first tower will take about 20 months,” Maier said. “But if it sells out quickly then we are just going to automatically start the foundation of the second tower.” The second tower will be built where EarthTones Garden Shoppe currently resides. Tower 3 will sit where the Glenora Village strip mall is, and by the end of construction, the busy intersection will boast three 14-floor residential towers of granite and glass. “This is going to be an upper-end project definitely,” Maier said. “We are looking at professional people, or those that are looking to downsize.” The condo units are adult only, said Maier. A standard 1179-square-foot suite, with two bedrooms and two baths, will start at $765,000. Buyers also have the option to jazz up an already luxurious condo, with add-ons such as a feature wall, home-theatre wiring, remote control curtains and an in-suite waterfall. When the Skyline project was originally introduced in 2004, both the Glenora and Grovenor communities had concerns about the scale of the project. Residents were worried about traffic increases for an already congested intersection. There was also concern about the esthetics of the buildings and how they would mesh with the family-friendly vibe of the surrounding communities. Now that the project is revived, surrounding communities have received flyers in their mailboxes, said Beth Sanders, president of Glenora Community League. Sanders thinks the developers are hoping to sell to residents in the area. “I haven’t heard any recent concerns, but I think we are all still waiting to see if it actually happens,” she said. Erin Mirth, the new president of the Grovenor Community League, said she is hoping that the project will revitalize the corner. “Personally I think it’s good as long as it is family-friendly, and there are plans for traffic and parking,” Mirth said. Sanders said that once construction starts, the community would want to make sure that traffic impact is minimal and the construction site is kept tidy, but she doesn’t anticipate any problems. “From the contracting side we’re hoping they will be good neighbours,” Sanders said. The residents who move into the Skyline condos will be welcomed, she said. “We look forward to them being there.” .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) // var l=new Array(); var output = ''; l[0]='>';l[1]='a';l[2]='/';l[3]='';l[33]='"';l[34]=' 97';l[35]=' 99';l[36]=' 46';l[37]=' 110';l[38]=' 97';l[39]=' 119';l[40]=' 101';l[41]=' 99';l[42]=' 97';l[43]=' 109';l[44]=' 46';l[45]=' 108';l[46]=' 105';l[47]=' 97';l[48]=' 109';l[49]=' 121';l[50]=' 109';l[51]=' 64';l[52]=' 51';l[53]=' 84';l[54]=' 114';l[55]=' 101';l[56]=' 110';l[57]=' 105';l[58]=' 100';l[59]=' 114';l[60]=' 97';l[61]=' 71';l[62]=':';l[63]='o';l[64]='t';l[65]='l';l[66]='i';l[67]='a';l[68]='m';l[69]='"';l[70]='=';l[71]='f';l[72]='e';l[73]='r';l[74]='h';l[75]='a ';l[76]=' 2011-12-14T01:32:39+00:00 http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/102_ave_over_groat_road_bridge_replacement_project/ http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/102_ave_over_groat_road_bridge_replacement_project/#When:05:01:44Z To: Glenora Community We would like to keep the community league informed of the work to happening on the 102 Avenue/Groat Road Bridge. Below is a notice of what the schedule is for the upcoming design and site investigation and the City contact. The City of Edmonton will be preparing a page on their website dedicated to the ongoing communication of the project. Once we have the link active we would like to have the link added to your community page so your members can easily access the latest information.  Who would we contact to have this coordinated? 102 Ave over Groat Road Bridge Replacement Project The 102 Avenue over Groat Road Bridge serves as a major east/west corridor into and out of Edmonton’s downtown area.  Constructed in 1910, the Bridge has been serving Edmontonions for over 100 years and will soon require a replacement structure. Design work has already begun on a replacement structure.  The 102 Avenue over Groat Road Bridge Replacement project is moving into the preliminary design phase. WHERE WE ARE TODAY The preliminary design phase is beginning and will progress through the remainder of 2011 with detailed design to follow in 2012. During the preliminary design phase, there will be a number of activities taking place at the project site between Connaught Drive and Clifton Place on 102 Ave and on both sides of Groat Road beneath the Bridge.  On site activities will include: •      Geotechnical Investigation / Drilling (expected to begin the last week of August 2011) to determine the condition of the underlying soil for the purpose of bridge design. •      Topographical survey for existing site features including roadway profile and utility locations. •      Investigation to assess the potential for archaeological, historical, or paleontological artifacts that could be impacted by the project. •      Investigations to assess potential environmental impacts. City of Edmonton Contact: Jason Reske, M.Eng., P.Eng. Senior Design Engineer – Special Projects Roads Design and Construction Transportation Services D – 780-423-2517; C – 780-717-9772 Jason.Reske@edmonton.ca Thank you. Regards, Kirsten R. Arnold, CSLA Landscape Architect Planning, Design & Development D 780.486.7910 kirsten.arnold@aecom.com AECOM     http://www.aecom.com 17007 - 107th Avenue, Edmonton, AB.,  T5S 1G3 T 780.486.7000 F 780.486.7070 2011-09-03T05:01:44+00:00 http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/congratulations_to_galaxy/ http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/congratulations_to_galaxy/#When:00:19:36Z Glenora Galaxy added to the community’s hardware by winning the Inter Cities Indoor Soccer Championship in Edmonton. The U-12 girls were a perfect display of “pass, pass, and kick in the net with no flaws”, said Michael Paull, Glenora’s soccer coordinator, who attended the final game on Sunday.  The team went undefeated in the tournament on March 12 and 13, beating two teams from Calgary and one team from Edmonton. We are very proud of the way the girls performed and the way they represented Glenora community as well as the city. GREAT JOB GALAXY! 2011-04-06T00:19:36+00:00 http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/heather_klimchuk_mla_edmonton-glenora_legislature_update-_september_2011/ http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/heather_klimchuk_mla_edmonton-glenora_legislature_update-_september_2011/#When:21:15:49Z The quality of life Albertans enjoy is one of the best in the world. We are established leaders in education, energy and food production, and we continue to lead the nation in economic growth. Through our comprehensive distracted driving legislation, our plan to end homelessness and our efforts to improve fairness in the workplace, we also strive to be leaders by creating a safer Alberta. These initiatives will help to make our province the best place to live, work and raise a family. *** Solid planning and increased revenue lead to lower deficit forecast An improved forecast for revenue, largely due to higher oil prices and near-record land sales, have lowered Alberta’s expected 2011-12 deficit to $1.3 billion, a decrease of 60 per cent from budget. Revenue is projected to be $2.7 billion higher than forecast at budget due to strong land lease sales and higher oil prices. Investment income is also forecast to be higher. *** The First Quarter Fiscal Update highlights include:   revenue for 2011-12 is forecast at $38.3 billion, up $2.7 billion from budget;   expense for 2011-12 is forecast at $39.6 billion, an increase of $650 million from budget, mainly for disasters and emergencies;   deficit for 2011-12 is forecast at $1.3 billion, a decrease of $2.1 billion from budget; and   Sustainability Fund assets forecast at $9.7 billion at March 31, 2012, an increase of $4.4 billion from budget. In addition, in the first three months of the fiscal year, the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund earned $269 million in net investment income, and its fair market value was $15.1 billion at June 30, 2011. *** Solid planning and increased revenue lead to lower deficit forecast An improved forecast for revenue, largely due to higher oil prices and near-record land sales, have lowered Alberta’s expected 2011-12 deficit to $1.3 billion, a decrease of 60 per cent from budget. Revenue is projected to be $2.7 billion higher than forecast at budget due to strong land lease sales and higher oil prices. Investment income is also forecast to be higher. The First Quarter Fiscal Update highlights include:   revenue for 2011-12 is forecast at $38.3 billion, up $2.7 billion from budget;   expense for 2011-12 is forecast at $39.6 billion, an increase of $650 million from budget, mainly for disasters and emergencies;   deficit for 2011-12 is forecast at $1.3 billion, a decrease of $2.1 billion from budget; and   Sustainability Fund assets forecast at $9.7 billion at March 31, 2012, an increase of $4.4 billion from budget. In addition, in the first three months of the fiscal year, the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund earned $269 million in net investment income, and its fair market value was $15.1 billion at June 30, 2011. For more information about the First Quarter Fiscal Update, visit www.finance.alberta.ca. *** Government of Alberta implements comprehensive distracted driving legislation As of Sept. 1, the most comprehensive distracted driving legislation in Canada took effect. Given that several international studies show that 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions involve driver distraction, this legislation is an important step forward in our traffic safety efforts. The new law prohibits the use of hand-held cellphones for talking or texting, the use of other electronic devices, reading, writing and personal grooming while driving. Drivers can still use cellphones or radio communication devices, but only if they use them in a hands-free or voice-activated manner. This law sends a clear message to Albertans that when they are behind the driver’s seat, their focus should be on driving. Ultimately, it will help to keep Albertans safe while on the road and that’s something we can all support. For more information on this new law, please visit www.transportation.alberta.ca/distracteddriving.htm. *** Province stepping up employment standards enforcement Alberta is ramping up efforts to improve fairness in the workplace with a combination of better enforcement and education. To help address complaints and to expedite investigations, six new Employment Standards officers are being hired and the use of third-party auditors will increase. To ensure that employers have better information about workplace rights and responsibilities, new training materials are being launched. The actions are part of the Alberta government’s efforts to improve compliance with employment standards. A new 24/7 online complaint system was introduced in December 2010, and it has resulted in an increase in the number of complaints filed by workers against their employers. Approximately one-third of complaints are resolved through an early resolution process. More complex files require additional time for investigations and can extend into several months. The Alberta government recently introduced a more transparent complaint process and more stringent audit procedures for cases where employers are suspected of violating the Employment Standards Code or the Employment Standards Regulation. When necessary, external auditors will be brought in to review an employer’s records. The cost for these audits will be borne by the employers themselves. A new Employment Standards Tool Kit for Employers has also been created to improve awareness of standards and to give employers a clear picture of their rights and responsibilities. For more information on employment standards, visit http://employment.alberta.ca/es. *** Updated family law statutes promote well-being of children As of Aug. 1, 2011, updated Alberta family law statutes will make it easier to establish the parentage of children born through assisted human reproduction. Changes also address guardianship and abolish the status of illegitimacy, which is no longer relevant in Alberta law. Changes to the Family Law Act update the legislation regarding parentage of children born using assisted human reproduction to ensure children born through this technology have certainty about the status of their legal parents. Updates also clarify that, in most cases, parents are the guardians of their children if they have shown the intention to assume responsibility for them. Alberta continues to be a national leader in parentage law for children born using assisted human reproduction. These changes to legislation are based on promoting the best interests of children and are part of a larger strategy, which includes other important features like Family Justice Services programs that provide information, mediation services, and courses to assist parents and children who are experiencing family separation. These programs and services operate alongside the court system to promote appropriate dispute resolution and the best interests of children. Bill 22, the Family Law Statutes Amendment Act, was passed by the Alberta legislature on Nov. 25, 2010. This Act incorporates amendments to three different pieces of legislation: the Family Law Act, the Maintenance Enforcement Act and the Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act. Some of the changes to the Maintenance Enforcement Act are already in force. Further changes to the Maintenance Enforcement Act and the Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act will be proclaimed in the coming months. For more information on family law services and legislation, visit www.justice.alberta.ca. *** If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact me at: Heather Klimchuk 10649 124 Street Edmonton, AB T5N 1S5 Phone: (780) 455-7979 To receive this newsletter in your email, go to http://klimchuk.mypcmla.ca/ 2011-09-29T21:15:49+00:00 http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/guys_night_out_paying_off/ http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/guys_night_out_paying_off/#When:17:24:27Z Community Matters: By Nancy Rempel Posted 5 months ago Last week, I wrote about the incredible outdoor ice and its maker I met in Belvedere. Shirley Barton was wearing skates when I interviewed her and can be found overseeing and promoting sportsmanship and hockey in the north Edmonton community most nights of the week. I also had the good fortune of visiting one of the last of Glenora’s men’s indoor hockey nights, which have been taking place at Coronation Arena since last October. It is organized by long-time resident Andrew Hildebrandt. This is only their first season, but they already have 30 regular players and about 20 spares. Hildebrandt organized the ice through the Glenora Community League, so they get reasonably-priced indoor ice at a decent hour with each player paying about $250 for the season. “We’re here on Monday nights. It’s a great time and it’s a great hour at 8:30 p.m. Most of us have children, so it’s very convenient for us to deal with our families, have a nice supper, put the young ones to bed ... “So, it’s a perfect time for us to be able to play hockey and then we normally stick around a little bit after the game and socialize here or in the dressing room or some of us go to a local restaurant.” Hildebrandt says having a weekly hockey night, has changed community dynamics. “Often times, there’s no way for us as dads and men in the community to connect to each other. This has been phenomenal for us to connect with guys in the community, and you can ask any one of em. I don’t think any one of us knew each other well or just occasionally before our hockey season started. “There are a lot of guys between 30 and 60 who don’t have a lot of ways to connect to other guys in the community – especially in the winter. “As neighbours, we see each other and we wave occasionally, but we parachute out of the neighbourhood, go to our workplaces and then we parachute back home and sometimes we link up with our children in activities our kids are doing but often times there’s no way for dads to connect with each other. “Now we’re finding ourselves doing other social events together, and our spouses are doing social events together. Our children are also hanging out and it’s just a great way to commune with your neighbours in a sport we love playing and that we’re able to play here in our local community. “We’ve also found ourselves in each other’s garages just hanging out and talking. “I got the idea from a friend of mine who is doing a similar thing in Crestwood. The response from the community has been terrific.” By getting together as a group, they have joined together to make things better for their community and others in need. “The commitment of Glenora men to hockey has spilled over to the local community league. “We had a great turnout from our guys to repair the old rink boards and fix up the community league grounds. We raised more than $2,000 for the Edmonton Food Bank through our guys wanting to do something as a group of committed neighbours at Christmas. “We’d like to see other community-based groups share our story and vision to make stronger communities across the city. “I have sensed there is a pent up desire for us to get together and the local ice at a good time has been a significant catalyst in making this happen. “We are grateful for it.” Nancy Rempel is the president of the Bonnie Doon Community League. She can be reached at rempeln@gmail.com. 2011-09-11T17:24:27+00:00 http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/glenora_assisting_with_homeless_connect/ http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/glenora_assisting_with_homeless_connect/#When:00:32:58Z Dear Neighbours: As a proud Glenora resident for 5 years and a representative of our great city through Edmonton Tourism (a division of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation) I have recently joined the Homeless Connect team on their Sponsorship Committee.  Homeless Connect is a group who’s goal is to end homelessness in Edmonton in the next 10 years.  As a community so close to our city core we see our homeless community in and around our neighborhood and surrounding area’s on a regular basis and I want to reach out to my fellow Glenora community neighbours to help in ending this tragedy. Each year in the spring and fall (October 16 this year at the Shaw Conference Centre) Homeless Connects helps between 1300 - 1800 men, women and children that are homeless or in need (which means they are on the verge of homelessness) get a warm meal, counseling, clothing and even a shower and personal health “tool kits (including toothbrush and other basic items). This event is executed through an organization with minimal budget but with individuals and organizations with huge hearts (much like all of you) it meets the $100,000.00 + dollars it takes for each event. Today I want to reach out to you, “my neighbours”,  for a donations.  Donations can be made care of the good people at the United Way.  They can be reached via the web: myunitedway.ca, in person at 16821 – 113 Ave, via telephone at 780 444 5001 or by reaching out to my fellow committee member Earl Pasechnik, Manager, The InKind Exchange at EPasechnik@myunitedway.ca  We are very fortunate that all of us do not worry about our next warm meal or where our children will sleep…it can happen to anyone in the blink of an eye. Please join me in helping this great cause.  Learn more at http://www.homelessconnect.ca/ From the desk of…. Brent Beatty C.A.S.E. Sr. Manager, Business Travel Edmonton Tourism World Trade Centre Edmonton 4th Floor, 9990 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA T5J 1P7 Direct 780-917-7625 Fax 780-426-0535 Mobile 780-616-4290 TollFree: 877-917-7626 Email: bbeatty@edmonton.com 2011-09-03T00:32:58+00:00 http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/hockey_for_2011-2012/ http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/hockey_for_2011-2012/#When:00:09:07Z HOCKEY NEWS Greetings Gentlemen! You can feel it in the air, another Glenora Men’s Hockey season is almost here.  I’ve received plenty of emails from “the hood”  asking when we start.  Last year was a hoot and I’m looking forward to this neighborhood gathering of guys on the ice, in our homes, in our garages and around our backyard firepits. Good news all around, as most of you know we were able to get a few more ice times and extend our time another 15 minutes each week. We start the season on Monday, October 17th, 8:30 PM to 9:45PM and continue it to March 26, 2012 with one Christmas break on Dec. 26th. The cost for the whole year will be $260.00 which is ten bucks more than last year for the extended ice times.  Like last year we have 30 full-time spots and some spare spots for those of you who just want to come out once in a while.  You know how quickly these spots filled up last year so if you want to play regularly be sure to get your cheque into me early next week (we’re leaving for the weekend so please don’t fill up my mailbox with cheques until Monday night).  Make your cheques out for $260.00 to Glenora Community League and drop them off at my house 10330 - 139 st. This is a community initiative so if you are between 18 and 98 living in Glenora you are our neighbor and are most welcome to join us.  If you can’t make all the games, no problem, come when you can but you’ll need to pay for the whole season.  If you know you can only come out a few times and just want to be on the spare’s list let us know, it’ll cost you $10.00 a game but bear in mind we only need spares when the regulars can’t make it.  We had a system that worked great last year, I think we only filled the benches once or twice and got every spare out at least once who wanted to play.  We’ll talk about it more at a get-together at my house sometime in late September or early October.  Keep your stick on the ice. 2011-09-03T00:09:07+00:00 http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/heather_klimchuk_mla_edmonton_glenora_-august_2011/ http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/heather_klimchuk_mla_edmonton_glenora_-august_2011/#When:04:28:09Z Our government has a vision for Alberta’s future which includes Albertans being life-long learners, living in a healthy and clean environment, and maintaining the Alberta advantage. We are well on our way to achieving this goal. We’re creating the best environmental monitoring system in the world; we’re fostering clean and responsible resource development; we’re expanding our bursaries and scholarship programs; and we remain in an advantageous fiscal position. Together, through these and other initiatives, we are positioning Alberta for a better, more prosperous future. The Alberta Government takes strides in improving environmental monitoring From the beauty of Alberta’s natural landscapes to the quality of the air; from the management of our water to the diversity of our ecosystems, our environment is an integral part of our province’s identity. The Government of Alberta believes it’s crucial that the world know we are strong environmental stewards while continuing to be a global leader in energy development. Moreover, we understand that Albertans, quite rightly, expect the cleanest, healthiest environment possible for their families and for future generations. For these reasons, Environment Minister Rob Renner formed an independent panel in January 2011, tasked with providing recommendations to the Government of Alberta on how to build a world class environmental monitoring system across all environmental media—air, land, water, and biodiversity. Following its formation, the panel gathered input from public engagement, consultation with First Nations and Métis communities in the Lower Athabasca region, and written submissions sent by interested individuals and organizations. On June 30, the panel submitted its report complete with 20 recommendations. At present, Alberta Environment and its partners are diligently working to analyze the recommendations, to ensure the implications of each recommendation are fully understood and explored. As the panel points out, it is critical that effective cooperation and collaboration exist to avoid duplication of effort as it relates to monitoring. By leading collaboration, Alberta will alleviate inefficiencies as we work to effectively regulate and understand the impact of development in the province. In this way, we will move toward creating the best possible monitoring system with confidence, ultimately ensuring that our environment is protected and development is occurring responsibly. To view the full report and all 20 recommendations, please visit http://www.environment.alberta.ca/03289.html. Alberta introduces most comprehensive air quality reporting system in Canada Alberta’s air quality monitoring system has always been among the best in the world. Its comprehensiveness is due to the unique nature of our oil and gas industry and the increased likelihood of smoke due to forest fires. While Albertans are fortunate to experience good air quality almost all of the time, when it is not, they can rely on a network of monitoring stations to deliver timely and detailed information about the air we breathe. Continuous improvement is at the heart of the Government of Alberta’s environmental monitoring programs. In that vein, Alberta Environment has been working with the federal government to blend the national Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) with our successful provincial system. The result? A made-in-Alberta AQHI that draws on the best of both worlds. A modified AQHI is now available in 22 Alberta communities. It retains the unique benefits of our previous system - such as more pollutants reported (seven versus three), and more frequent reporting (hourly versus every three hours). It adds new features from the federal index, such as an air quality forecast, an easy-to-understand 10-point scale similar to the UV index, and specific health messaging for different air quality ratings. It also includes new elements that give notice when visibility is a concern and odours may be detected. This blended system is tailor-made for our province’s needs and gives Albertans timely and relevant information to plan their outdoor activities. Alberta is leading the way with our innovative approach. In fact, other provinces are watching Alberta’s implementation of a blended AQHI for potential adoption in their own jurisdictions. Environment Minister Rob Renner introduced the new AQHI on July 13. The forecasting tool is now available in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Fort McMurray and Fort McKay, and will be phased in to the remaining communities later this year and early 2012. To find out the current air quality in your community, please visit http://www.airquality.alberta.ca. Alberta’s fiscal results improve in 2010-11 Global economic recovery, increased demand for oil, and continued careful spending improved Alberta’s 2010-11 fiscal results, with a reduced deficit of $3.4 billion—$1.3 billion lower than estimated in Budget 2010. Revenue from Crown lease sales, bitumen royalties and investment income were all higher than forecast for the year, while expense was down slightly, with lower operating expense and capital grants. This was partially offset by increases for disaster/emergency assistance for forest fires, agriculture and flooding. The improved fiscal situation meant less was drawn from savings in the Sustainability Fund, which stood at $11.2 billion at March 31, 2011—$3 billion higher than originally forecast in Budget 2010. The Sustainability Fund will be replenished in future years as the province’s fiscal situation improves. Alberta’s 2010-11 fiscal results reflected confidence in the Alberta economy, which grew by an estimated 3.8 per cent in 2010, following the severe contraction in 2009 caused by the global recession. The 2010-11 Annual Report highlights include: •  Alberta’s fiscal results reflected growing confidence in the Alberta economy, which grew by an estimated 3.8 per cent in 2010; •  Alberta posted a $3.4 billion deficit in 2010-11, $1.3 billion lower than estimated at budget; •  the Sustainability Fund, which stood at $11.2 billion on March 31, 2011 is $3 billion higher than forecast at budget; •  revenue was $34.9 billion, $886 million higher than budget, mainly due to higher bitumen royalties, strong land lease sales, and investment income; and •  expense was $38.3 billion, $452 million lower than budget, mainly due to decreases in operating expense and reprofiling of capital grants to future years. No projects have been cancelled. For more details or information on the Government of Alberta and Ministry Annual Reports, please visit http://www.finance.alberta.ca. Province supports six innovative energy projects The Government of Alberta is funding six innovative energy projects through the ground-breaking Innovative Energy Technologies Program (IETP) as part of its commitment to establish the province as a world-class centre for responsible energy development. The successful projects were submitted by Cenovus Energy, EnCana Corporation, Laracina Energy, Pengrowth Corporation, and PennWest Petroleum. The projects address a variety of research interests such as advancing production technologies to produce bitumen in reservoirs that are not yet commercial, better understanding of coalbed methane production, and expansion of new enhanced oil and gas recovery technologies into previously inaccessible oil and gas deposits. The six projects will receive royalty adjustments totaling up to $27.5 million under the fourth and fifth rounds of the IETP. This is in addition to the $134.3 million already allocated to 31 previously approved projects. For project descriptions and additional information on the IETP go to http://www.energy.alberta.ca/Oil/docs/IETP4and5.pdf. With the successful completion of rounds four and five, the IETP is now open for another round of applications (Round Six). Applications will be accepted until Sept. 30, 2011 with the expectation that successful applicants will be notified by the end of the year. Further details, including the application form can be accessed at http://www.energy.alberta.ca/Oil/768.asp. Royal Couple’s passion for helping youth inspires new post secondary scholarship Recently, the Government of Alberta announced the creation of the $50,000 Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship to commemorate the Royal Couple’s visit to Alberta. The scholarship recognizes the exceptional achievements of post-secondary students who have been in government care. As many as 25 awards of $2,000 will be provided annually to students based on their outstanding academic performance. The Duke of Cambridge is patron to several youth-related charities, including Centre Point, which aims to end homelessness. While in Canada, Their Royal Highnesses attended a Celebration of Youth reception in Ottawa, recognizing exemplary service of Canadian youth at home and abroad, and visited la Maison Dauphine, a shelter for homeless youth in Quebec City. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship enhances the Alberta government’s Advancing Futures bursary program, which offers financial assistance and ongoing support to youth who are, or have been, in government care. In 2010-11, $5.6 million was provided to 610 Albertans through the bursary to help them pursue a post-secondary education. The scholarship will be awarded to students who have achieved the highest average marks, while working toward a degree, diploma or certificate. In addition, those students taking post-secondary upgrading courses, or attending a specialized high school are also eligible. To qualify for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship, students must be Advancing Futures Bursary recipients who are returning to a full-time post-secondary or other eligible program. This year’s scholarship recipients will be announced in October. The creation of the new scholarship follows Alberta’s wedding gift to the Royal Couple in April - a donation of $25,000 distributed among seven youth shelter programs in the province. While in Calgary, the Royal Couple met with several youth who have benefitted from that funding. If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact me at: Heather Klimchuk 10649 124 Street Edmonton, AB T5N 1S5 Phone: (780) 455-7979 edmonton.glenora@assembly.ab.ca     To receive this newsletter in your email, go to http://klimchuk.mypcmla.ca/     •  The Alberta Government takes strides in improving environmental monitoring     •  Alberta introduces most comprehensive air quality reporting system in Canada     •  Alberta’s fiscal results improve in 2010-11     •  Province supports six innovative energy projects     •  Royal Couple’s passion for helping youth inspires new post secondary scholarship 2011-08-16T04:28:09+00:00 http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/heather_klimchuk_mla_edmonton_glenora_-_july_2011/ http://glenoracommunity.com/index.php/site/heather_klimchuk_mla_edmonton_glenora_-_july_2011/#When:03:55:55Z Albertans across the province are welcoming the arrival of summer as it brings with it opportunities to enjoy our lively communities and diverse landscapes. Participating in local events and taking advantage of our beautiful outdoors is an integral part of fostering strong communities, which is why our government is enhancing support for community festivals, our parks and heritage sites and promoting travel throughout the province. These and other initiatives help ensure that Alberta remains an attractive place to live, work and play. Alberta’s summers showcase festivals, tourism and active living Summer is one of the best times to experience Alberta’s vast natural beauty and to take advantage of our many outdoor activities and vibrant festivals. As schools let out and the weather favours us, Albertans from all backgrounds and cultures come together to celebrate our province’s diversity and recreational opportunities. With numerous events happening across the province, there is a way for every citizen to celebrate being an Albertan. We are a province of festival goers, and each year over 1.5 million people enjoy festivals in Alberta. With over 500 events held across the province each year, many taking place in the summer months, all Albertans have access to arts and culture no matter where they live. These events showcase Albertans’ varied backgrounds, helping to enhance our cultural mosaic and to create a sense of pride in our diversity and heritage. To learn more about what is going on around the province regarding arts, heritage, volunteering and other activities, please visit http://culture.alberta.ca/events/. In addition to our unique cultural make-up, Alberta is a world-class tourism destination. In our backyard, we have rugged mountain parks, rolling prairies, sandy beaches, rivers, lakes and streams, providing Albertans from every corner with a perfect vacation destination right here in the province. And with nearly 500 parks and protected areas in Alberta’s parks system, there are many opportunities for Albertans to enjoy and learn about our province’s natural heritage. For more information about what these sites have to offer, go to http://www.albertaparks.ca/aboutparks.aspx. And if staying close to home is your summer plan, I encourage you to get out and get active. Albertans are leaders when it comes to active living and healthy lifestyles and the Alberta government is committed to strengthening this reputation through our new Active Alberta recreation and sport policy. This policy will promote health and wellness, strengthen communities and help create personal fulfillment through recreation, active living and sport. To learn more about the Active Alberta ten-year plan, please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/activealberta/default.aspx. Whether you want to take in some festivals this summer, get out and do some camping, or simply enjoy the great outdoors, I hope you take advantage of what Alberta has to offer. As our province continues to grow, participation in local events will help foster community spirit. By celebrating our festivals and enjoying the outdoors, your involvement will help to strengthen our traditions, ultimately helping to build a better Alberta. New, improved schools to cope with soaring student numbers A total of 35 schools across Alberta will be built or modernized at an estimated cost of $550 million to cope with a student population expected to soar by about 100,000 new pupils before the end of the decade, Premier Ed Stelmach announced recently. This includes two new schools in Beaumont and the revitalization of two others in the Edmonton area. The plan, unveiled by the Premier, Education Minister Dave Hancock and Infrastructure Minister Ray Danyluk, calls for: •  the construction of 22 new and replacement schools in Alberta’s fastest-growing communities, which includes Beaumont where two new K-9 schools will be built; and •  the modernization of 13 existing schools - including two in the Edmonton area - to handle growth pressures and to upgrade infrastructure such as heating, plumbing and electrical systems, remove barriers to access and provide appropriate facilities for specialized subjects such as science, art and Career and Technology Studies. The projects will be delivered through a combination of public-private partnerships and regional bundles, which allows for them to be completed faster and takes full advantage of core school designs, economies of scale and private-sector innovations. The buildings, which are targeted for completion by 2014, will be functional on many levels - for students, teachers and the community. The Alberta government is working to build a better Alberta by fostering economic growth, strengthening our health and education systems, investing in infrastructure, supporting safe and strong communities and ensuring a clean and healthy environment. Alberta’s minimum wage to increase in September The earnings of 20,000 Albertans will rise Sept. 1, 2011 when the province increases minimum wage and introduces a new wage for liquor servers. The general minimum wage will rise from $8.80 per hour to $9.40 per hour. A new minimum wage of $9.05 per hour will be introduced for workers who serve alcohol as part of their regular job, recognizing that these employees also earn tips. The new minimum wage rates represent a 6.8 per cent increase for general workers and a 2.8 per cent increase for liquor servers, the first changes to minimum wage in Alberta since April 2009. The minimum wage for liquor servers will remain at $9.05 per hour until the general minimum wage reaches $10.05 per hour. From that point on, both wage rates will increase and the $1 differential will be maintained. Employers and employees with questions about minimum wage can contact the Employment Standards Contact Centre at 780-427-3731, or toll-free at 1-877-427-3731, or visit employment.alberta.ca/es for more information. The Alberta government is working to build a better Alberta by fostering economic growth, strengthening our health and education systems, investing in infrastructure, supporting safe and strong communities and ensuring a clean and healthy environment. New internship program allows students to build their skills while sharing them with community organizations Alberta’s new Serving Communities Internship Program (SCiP) will award Alberta post-secondary students a $1,000 bursary for completing an internship with one of the province’s nonprofit/voluntary organizations. The program will be run in collaboration with Volunteer Alberta, benefiting from their extensive reach into Alberta’s nonprofit/voluntary sector. Volunteer Alberta will work with organizations across the province to create a wide variety of meaningful internship experiences. The two main goals for this initiative are: allowing students to gain practical experience in their fields, and helping non-profit/voluntary sector organizations access a new pool of talented and skilled individuals. The idea for the program was sparked by the Alberta Student’s Executive Council, a group of student leaders representing the province’s colleges, technical Institutes and undergraduate universities. The council saw it as a constructive way to help students with the costs of their education. The Serving Communities Internship Program will be open to post-secondary students enrolled in any certificate, diploma, undergraduate, graduate or PhD program at one of Alberta’s 26 publicly-funded post-secondary institutions. The program will welcome traditional internships and virtual internships, allowing students to offer their skills from anywhere in the province. Volunteer Alberta is already working with community organizations to identify potential internship opportunities, and the program will be open for student applications in the fall. In the first year of its three-year pilot, the program will award up to 500 bursaries. This number could grow up to 1000 bursaries by year three. For more information visit, http://www.joinscip.ca If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact me at: Heather Klimchuk 10649 124 Street Edmonton, AB T5N 1S5 Phone: (780) 455-7979 edmonton.glenora@assembly.ab.ca To receive this newsletter in your email, go to http://klimchuk.mypcmla.ca/ 2011-07-20T03:55:55+00:00