Red Deer Advocate, November 11, 2015

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LAUREN GOOD ENDS CAREER ON A HIGH NOTE

COURAGE REMEMBERED The Red Deer Advocate honours Central Alberta’s veterans

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Red Deer Advocate WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11, 2015

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SYLVAN LAKE

BUDGET

Urgentcare plan tailored to NDP

Growth boosts Sylvan Lake’s bottom line

BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF

Sylvan Lake residents could get some unexpected tax relief next year. Town council gave local residents their first peak at the next three-year budget, and it proposes a 2.47 per cent municipal residential tax rate increase for 2016. That is down from the 3.7 per cent increase anticipated in last year’s plan. However, a two per cent increase proposed for 2017 will increase to 2.96 per cent followed by 3.89 per cent in 2018. Mayor Sean McIntyre said solid development growth in the community this year helped boost the municipality’s bottom line. As well, council was committed to keeping a tight rein on spending. “Staff and council both recognized that given the economic circumstances in Alberta we need to do everything we can to deliver the highest level of services for the greatest value,” said McIntyre. Council plans to maintain a freeze introduced for 2015 on non-residential tax rates for another year, a move meant to encourage more economic development and investment in the community. The town began budgeting on threeyear cycles last year to improve efficiency and give residents more clarity on long-term plans. Capital plans are based on 10-year cycles. Under the system, first-year tax rates are set and estimated increases are prepared for the following two years. Given changing grant levels, growth or unforeseen developments those rates are subject to change — as happened this year. However, McIntyre said, staff and council try to nail down future-year tax numbers as closely as they can, “but there is still room to change plans as circumstances change. “As far as we’re concerned the numbers for 2017 and 2018 are as accurate as we can project at this time.” An open house will be held on Dec. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Municipal Government Building to gather public feedback on the town’s spending plans. Council expects to pass its final budget before the end of the year.

LOWER TAX HIKE ANTICIPATED BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF

The government may have changed but the resolve in Sylvan Lake for an urgent care centre remains as strong as ever. Sylvan Lake Mayor Sean McIntyre, who sits on the committee that has been tirelessly working towards better health care for the area, said the mission remains the same. “Our attitude on the committee is we will get urgent care because we won’t give up until it happens,” he said on Tuesday, a day after council was given an update on progress. The NDP’s unexpected win means filling in a new minister and her staff on the efforts of the community — which has raised $100,000 towards the project — as well as tweaking the urgent care centre business plan. “The plan we had developed referenced the family care clinic model, which was the former government’s version of urgent care,” he said. “The new government doesn’t use that terminology, that approach. “So, we’ve got to now tailor the business plan to essentially suit what the new government is looking for.” To that end, the committee is anxious to meet with Health Minister Sarah Hoffman to determine the best way to move forward. The minister’s staff have promised a face-to-face meeting next month. McIntyre said community support remains strong. Local property developers are on board and have made room for a centre in their plans. Likewise, Central Alberta Medical Imaging Services, which is expanding to Sylvan Lake, has offered space for future urgent care needs. “There’s plenty of people who are willing to help. What we’re looking for now is instruction from the health minister.” Urgent Care Committee chairperson Susan Samson said they know that the government is facing a deficit and the financial landscape has changed. “We’re quite conscious of that,” she said. “We’re going to offer (Hoffman) a solution to deliver advanced health care to the area that’s affordable and effective.”

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

Hailey Poole proudly recites her lines as she takes part in a Remembrance Day ceremony at Grandview Elementary School on Tuesday morning. Hailey, along with her classmates from Jan Hart’s Grade 2 class, took turns reading the poem ‘Remember’ by Evelyn Merritt. Many other schools in the Red Deer area held Remembrance Day ceremonies Tuesday. A community Remembrance Day ceremony will take place at the Red Deer Arena beginning at 10:30 a.m. today.

Please see URGENT CARE on Page A2

Child benefit, tax credit available to low-income families BY THE CANADIAN PRESS CALGARY — Alberta is bringing in two benefits to give more money to low-income families. The new Alberta Child Benefit and enhanced Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit will impact families earning less than $41,220 per year, including those receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped and social assistance. The maximum annual benefit is $1,100 for families with one child, and up to $2,750 for families with four or more children.

WEATHER 30% flurries. High 2. Low -8.

FORECAST ON A2

The maximum annual tax credit is $754 for families with one child, and up to $1,987 for families with four children or more. “No child should grow up in poverty. Every child in Alberta deserves the chance to take part in their communities and reach their full potential,” said Human Services Minister Irfan Sabir. “It is simply unacceptable that in a province as prosperous as ours that many hardworking Albertans struggle to make ends meet.” Both benefits will be sent out to parents starting in July 2016 and the child benefit will be sent out in four pay-

INDEX Two sections Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Business . . . . . . . B1-B3 Canada . . . . . . . . A5-A6 Classified . . . . . . B8-B9 Comics . . . . . . . . . . .A10 Entertainment . . . . . . 12 Sports . . . . . . . . . B5-B7

ments, while the tax credit will be sent out twice a year. To be eligible, families must be residents of Alberta, file a tax return and have one or more children under 18. Finance Minister Joe Ceci said it made sense to implement the benefit next summer instead of right away. “There was the view that we could do it best if we took some time,” Ceci said. “We wanted to ensure that it came out when it was needed. It’s needed right across this province but we could get it organized and deliver it best.”

Man accused of killing pedestrian appears in court BY MURRAY CRAWFORD ADVOCATE STAFF A short adjournment could lead to a quick resolution for a man accused of running over and killing a woman. Jason John Powell, 40, is charged with several offences in the death of Chasity Holman, 41, of Red Deer. Holman was killed on Nov. 5 near the Penhold Multiplex last week. Powell made his first appearance on Tuesday in Red Deer provincial court. Appearing from the Red Deer Remand Centre by closed circuit television, the charges were read to him and his counsel Kevin Sproule. Crown Prosecutor Ann MacDonald elected to proceed by indictment, which means a more significant penalty if the accused is convicted.

Please see COURT on Page A2

Alexis wins Giller Prize for Fifteen Dogs Toronto writer Andre Alexis said he was feeling ‘pure, unadulterated joy’ after winning the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Story on PAGE A6

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