Your news this week: Bill 6 town hall meeting - Page 2 Distracted Driving Legislation - Page 7 Nerds vs. Jocks - Page 10
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Vol. 11, No. 8, Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Local farmers voice outrage over Bill 6 Michelle Pinon Editor
MICHELLE PINON PHOTO
World and Canadian Curling Champion Randy Ferbey, visited the Mundare Curling Club on Sunday, Dec. 13th to promote the Everest-Ferbey Pro Am that will be held in Digby, Nova Scotia this spring. Active curlers will have a chance to enter the contest every time they play for a chance to win a VIP trip and play with Team Randy Ferbey or Team Jennifer Jones.Pictured from left to right are: Herma Carthy, World Financial Group (WFG) representative, Mundare Mayor Charlie Gargus, Randy Ferbey, Trevor Zacharkiw, President of the Mundare Curling Club, and WFG representatives Neil Klassen and Pam Smith.
World curling champion Randy Ferbey promotes contest in Mundare Michelle Pinon Editor
Six time Canadian champion and four time World champion Randy Ferbey made an appearance at the Mundare Curling Club Sunday, Dec. 13 to promote a special nationwide curling contest. Ferbey was on hand to encourage participation in the 2016 Everest-Ferbey National Pro Am that will be held on the last day of the Everest Canadian Senior Curling Championships on April 2nd in Digby, Nova Scotia. The second annual EverestFerbey National Pro Am contest was launched last month, and is open to men and women senior curlers (50 plus) of all skill levels.
Participants are eligible for monthly prizes and can enter the contest every time they curl, and a chance to win grand prize, one of four VIP trips to the senior curling championship, and chance to curl with Team Randy Ferbey or Team Jennifer Jones. Ferbey told the curlers, who were gathered for their annual Christmas Party that he and Everest came up with idea with seniors top of mind. “We feel seniors are the most unrecognized group in Canada, and we wanted to give back to them,” pointed out Ferbey. Working collaboratively with World Financial Group, which offers Everest’s funeral planning and concierge service to clients, Ferbey said it is a valuable serv-
ice that is available. “You never know if you will need it.” Neil Klassen, an insurance and mutual fund representative with World Financial Group, gave a short presentation to the curling club members who were gathered for their annual Christmas party. Trevor Zacharkiw, President of the Mundare Curling Club, said it was Klassen who asked him if the club would be interested in promoting the unique opportunity. “Neil approached me. he found me listed as a contact and visited me at home, and we got the ball rolling.” Or in this case, the rock sliding down the ice. Now local curlers can participate to win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Walking through parking lots and streets leading to the Vegreville Social Centre on Tuesday, Dec. 8th many vehicles had signs and words of protest on windows and the back of pick up trucks, cars, vans, and tractors. Some of the signs stated: “Educate Not Legislate, Stop Bill 6 and Clean Up The Mess, Let Us Farm Free, Stop Bill 6 No Farmer Consultation.’ By the front entrance there were protesters holding signs, and encouraging other farmers and ranchers coming to the meeting to sign the petition against the bill, that had already passed two readings in the legislature. Reporters, who had gathered in the lobby were informed that Lori Sigurdson, Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, would field a few questions from the media. The Lamont Leader asked the minister that given the strong opposition of farmers if they would kill Bill 6. The minister sidestepped the question by saying the purpose of Bill 6 is to create a safe workplace for all paid workers, and that she wanted the legislation to pass in this session. Sigurdson, in her opening remarks to hundreds of farmers and ranchers in the hall that everyone and every farm is unique and they would respect that and them throughout the process. “We are listening to farmers.” Many people in the hall laughed and heckled in response. Sigurdson also wanted to reassure farmers and ranchers that the technical regulations would take between a year and 16 months to complete, and would be consulting with them. Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jessica Littlewood also made opening remarks. “I’ve had the opportunity to speak with some of you these past couple of weeks and today...Thank you for bringing thoughtful consideration here today.” When asked how the government was going to protect farm workers the minister referred to an amendment that was introduced that would take effect the same time the bill does. As far as the rules go, she said that is why they will be consulting with farmers in the new year. Continued on Page 2