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Red Deer Advocate WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2015
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Project runway RED DEER AIRPORT LANDS FUNDING TO PAVE WAY FOR LARGER JETS BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF Red Deer Airport is getting ready for the big jets. Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Deron Bilous announced $6 million in funding over three years towards a $9.5-million project to extend the runway to allow for mid-sized jets like the popular 737s used by Air Canada and WestJet. City of Red Deer and Red Deer County have committed $1.75 million each towards the project to add 600 metres of runway and widen it by about 50 metres that will begin next
April for a fall completion. Bilous said the government’s backing was in keeping with its commitment to maintaining the province’s in-
Alberta economy. It was hoped the federal government’s Small Communities Fund could be tapped for $3 million but, in July,
‘IT’S THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS THIS AIRPORT FROM LIMITATIONS. IT’S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE REGION AND THE CITY OF RED DEER.’ — RJ STEENSTRA RED DEER REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY CEO frastructure. It is a response to growth pressures that will create new jobs, attract new businesses and diversify the Central
the airport got word its application had been denied. The province then stepped in. Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer summed
up the turn of events as an “experience of very short turbulence given way to sunny skies” in a speech that emphasized how important the project was in light of the upcoming 2019 Canada Winter Games. Red Deer Regional Airport Authority CEO RJ Steenstra said once runway upgrades are completed all single-aisle jet aircraft will be able to land in Red Deer. “It’s critical. It’s the key that unlocks this airport from limitations. “It’s very, very important for the region and the City of Red Deer.”
Please see AIRPORT on Page A2
BE AFRAID
SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY
School board to unveil draft policy BY MARY-ANN BARR ADVOCATE STAFF The Red Deer Public School board will have its first official look at a proposed sexual orientation and gender identity policy and regulation during its regular meeting tonight. The draft policy, aimed at providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for sexual or gender minority students, employees and families, has been in the works for a while, district superintendent Stu Henry said Tuesday. The policy states that all references to sexual or gender minority persons or LGBTQ+ persons “will include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, intersex, queer or questioning persons; persons who are labeled as such, whether they are or not; and persons with immediate family members who identify as a sexual or gender minority.” Work on the policy began last year under previous superintendent Pete Langstrat, who resigned last year to take a position in British Columbia. One of the district’s main goals is equity and inclusion of all students so there were a lot of conversations — including with trustees and students — about how to make all students feel valued, Henry said. While there has been controversy in some other school districts around such policies, Henry said the feeling in the Red Deer district was not only it was time, it was overdue, “to make sure that we address this one area head-on and not just say that it’s covered in other policies.”
Please see POLICY on Page A2
WEATHER Mainly sunny. High 13. Low -2.
FORECAST ON A2
Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
Even for the volunteers and tour guides, the first time through the Boys and Girls Club Haunted House can be a scary experience. Sawyer Pelz, above, and other haunted house workers found that out as they toured the site during an audition night on Tuesday. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Zed Haunted House in support of the Boys and Girls Club Red Deer and District. The Haunted House, located in the former Princess Auto building at 6833-66 Street in Red Deer, opens to the public Friday, Oct. 16. Each day through to Halloween night the house is open from 6-10 p.m. daily, with weekend matinees from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more details visit www.zedhauntedhouse.com.
City advisory groups to have clearer mandate BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF Red Deer city council members will no longer serve on citizen advisory groups that will be revamped to give the public a better say. The city adopted what it calls a Public Participation Toolbox last January, which gives staff a road map for gathering residents’ feedback depending on the issue. As part of that work, the city looked at its citizen advisory groups, which
INDEX Four sections Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Business . . . . . . . B1-B3 Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . A6 Classified . . . . . . D1-D2 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . D4 Entertainment . . . . . . C6 Sports . . . . . . . . . B4_B6
include the Greater Downtown Action Plan Steering Committee and Environmental Advisory Committee, as well as five others. Interviews with past committee members showed some were unhappy with the process. While they expected to be providing long-term direction for the city, committee members found themselves wrestling with much more immediate concerns, said Elaine Vincent, the city’s director of development services. Some public members felt the need to come to some sort of consensus led
to watered-down, status-quo recommendations. The presence of council members on committees also proved confusing, in some cases, to both councillors and other committee members. Under recommendations approved unanimously by council on Tuesday citizen advisory groups will have a clearer mandate and term. When an advisory committee should be formed will also be clarified.
Please see ADVISORY GROUPS on Page A2
Harper ‘betrayed and abandoned’ me: Fahmy Freed journalist Mohamed Fahmy accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of washing his hands of his case. Story on PAGE C2
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