The CAMROSE BOOSTER, March 23, 2021 – Page 16
The Value of Life: Bill C-7 By Damien C. Kurek, MP, Battle River-Crowfoot
Final votes recently took place on Liberal Bill C-7, an act that changes the laws around Medical Assistance in Dying (also known as assisted suicide or euthanasia). Before getting into some of the specifics of this bill, I wanted to emphasize how important it is to have respect when dealing with difficult issues like this. I hear many opinions on every issue, but it is social issues like this that invoke deep emotion often based on experience. As this column delves into some of the concerns I have raised, please know I respect that not everyone agrees. Over the last year, thousands of you have reached out and overwhelmingly, there has been opposition to the Liberals’ Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) Bill. This Bill was a response to a Quebec Superior Court ruling that struck down some of the provisions of the changes the Liberals made to legalize MAiD in the last Parliament. Here is where the problems start: instead of appealing the court decision to the Supreme Court, the Liberals went ahead and decided to make changes. This created a deadline for new legislation to be enacted, which became an issue when the Prime Minister prorogued Parliament and used other parliamentary tricks to delay investigations into things like pandemic spending and the WE Scandal. Bill C-7 does not only address the issues raised in the court decision, but goes much further. For example, this bill removes safeguards that ensure that this program would not be abused. We saw during the debate that the Liberals failed in their duty to protect Canadians and were willing to play politics at every turn. While they claimed to have consulted widely and found a “clear consensus” in their legislation, the opposite is true. We heard from countless Canadians, including many disability rights advocates, First Nations communities, and healthcare professionals who called out the clear failures in this bill. Unfortunately, the Liberals, Bloc and NDP blocked every Conservatives amendment that attempted to improve the Bill. It passed the House of Commons just before Christmas and the Senate began its deliberations. I was personally hopeful that the Senate would take the growing chorus of concerns seriously and amend the bill to include safeguards, but despite the best efforts of Conservatives in the Senate, they did the unthinkable… they added further provisions that put Canadians at risk, including allowing a clause that could allow people suffering from mental illness to be eligible for assisted death. This measure was endorsed by the Liberals earlier this month. I spoke to this Bill several times, where I outlined my concerns and dismay at how a government would be so callous in its approach to some of the most vulnerable groups in our society. I am a firm believer that Parliament has the responsibility to stand up for life, and I am concerned about how this bill has the potential to end lives that should be saved. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this column, you are encouraged to write Damien at 4945-50 Street, Camrose, Alberta T4V 1P9, call 780-608-4600, text 403-575-5625, or email damien.kurek@parl.gc.ca. You can also stay up to date with Damien by following him on social media @dckurek and subscribing to his e-newsletter at damienkurek.ca/subscribe. If you are in need of assistance regarding a federal government program, or need assistance and don’t know where to turn, feel free to reach out to MP Kurek’s office.
Bylaw enforcement focus By Lori Larsen
During a City of Camrose Committee of Whole meeting on March 1, City of Camrose Community Peace Officer Erin Van Kuppeveld and Camrose Police Service Inspector John Corbett presented the 2020 annual Bylaw Report. Currently there are two officers regulating and enforcing bylaws within the City of Camrose: Officer Van Kuppeveld and casual Bylaw Enforcement Officer Paul Huneault. In November 2020, Community Peace Officer Kuppeveld took part in the Community Peace Officer Induction Program (CPOIP) at the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Training Academy. “This training will allow me to enforce provincial offences and add moving traffic enforcement, as well as continue to enforce municipal bylaws,” noted Van Kuppeveld. Camrose Bylaw Enforcement provides service five days from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., with support from Camrose Police Service 24/7, and assistance for permits and licensing through City Hall. Calls are taken 24/7 through dispatch. According to the report, in 2020, 1,139 bylaw complaints were received, of which 207 were animal/dog complaints. “Camrose Bylaw Enforcement works very closely with the Camrose Police Service members,” noted Van Kuppeveld, “Leaning on each other for assistance when required.” In 2019, the Bylaw Enforcement Off icer responded to 532 bylaw complaints, and CPS members responded to 950 out of 1,496 total complaints. “In 2020, our CPO responded to 643 bylaw complaints, and the police members responded to 496 out of 1,139 total complaints.” Out of the complaints to which CPS responded in 2020, the majority consisted of vehicle violations, followed by noise and animal complaints and other various complaints. “These four categories alone accounted for 96 per cent of the bylaw calls CPS members responded to.” Van Kuppeveld indicted that the busy season for bylaw complaints is generally December through February, depending on snowfall, and May through August, due to grass and weed complaints. “Many of the grass/ weed complaints are a result of empty lots not being maintained effectively by the corporations that own them,” explained Van Kuppeveld. “In 2020, proactive letters were sent
to the empty lot owners a month before busy season, giving them a reminder of their responsibility to maintain their property. These letters helped decrease the number of complaints received.” In 2020, Bylaw saw a high number of dog/ animal complaints as well, many of which were dog-attack related. “As a result, we are looking at making some bylaw amendments regarding descriptive levels of dog attacks and new fines.” Van Kuppeveld added that, as a result of COVID-19 and the implemented health protocols and restrictions, City Bylaw was responsible for addressing COVID-19 related complaints. “In 2020, we had 28 COVID-19 complaints come through the Community Peace Officer.” The most common occurrence statistics for 2020 are as follows: unsightly premises, 24; garbage, 31; roads/lanes, 12; grass/weeds, 52; snow/
of complaint were you responding to when it was COVID related?” Van Kuppeveld said, “Earlier in March and April, when it was first getting started, a lot of the complaints received were from concerned neighbours knowing their neighbours came back from holidays. We were getting phone calls to come and check to make sure they (returning neighbours) were following with the orders to stay home. So we would give them a call and make sure they were complying with orders. “As of recently, it has been more business related– going with Alberta Health Services to businesses and addressing the need for masking, or to potentially ask people to leave the store. We were just trying to streamline that through the businesses, as well since the Mask Bylaw was a new thing for them. “The goal all along has been to educate public and provide options.”
Lori Larsen, File Photo Community Peace Officer Erin Van Kuppeveld updates council with 2020 Bylaw report.
ice, 76; sidewalks/curbs, 38; dogs/animals, 207; parking violations, 113; abandoned vehicles, 143; unattached trailers, 78; abandoned bikes, 52; noise, 179 and other, 121. “The ‘Other’ category includes our COVID-19 complaints and some others that don’t necessarily fit those categories.” Council inquiries
Councillor Agnes Hoveland inquired about the COIVD responses. “You mentioned you had responded to approximately 28 COVID related complaints. What type
Councillor Kevin Hycha inquired as to what the water/drainage complaint category entailed. Van Kuppeveld responded that they were receiving complaints from people about neighbours allowing water to pool on sidewalks or neighbours draining and ice accumulating. For a complete copy of the 2020 Bylaw report, visit the City of Camrose website at www.camrose.ca under the Your Government tab /A genda s / Meeti ngs / Agendas/2021/2021-03-01 Committee Of Whole.