Mundare agrees to funding request from regional caucus

BY JOHN MATHER

Mundare Council agreed to set aside $800 to provide some seed funding for the North East Mayor’s Reeves and Indigenous Leaders Caucus at their Feb. 7 regular meeting.

The caucus is using the funds collected from members of the caucus to lobby the province for upgrades the caucus feels are required for the Highway 28 corridor from Edmonton to Cold

Lake. There are 39 municipalities in the caucus and those with under 2,000 population are being asked to pay $800. The M.D of Bonnyville has pledged $5,000 and the Frog Lake Reserve has pledged $1,000.

The caucus has a goal of raising $36,250 but if they only receive funds amounting to 80 per cent of the total requested it would be $29,000.

The caucus budget includes the Highway 28 advocacy for $15,000; the organization’s start up costs $10,000 and a 15 per cent contingency fee of $3,750.

Mayor Cheryl Calinoiu said the organization consists of the 39 members and they gather every couple of months to discuss regional issues affecting all the member communities.

“There’s only one passing lane that I saw driving to the last meet- ing on Highway 28,” she said. “There’s legitimate concerns about how safe it is since it is very busy during the summer months. There is a lot of oilfield traffic and with a planned expansion at the Cold Lake Military Base, it is expected to get even busier.”

Councillor Irene Talaga asked if the organization had discussed an overpass for Highway 16 and Highway 855 intersec- tion.

“We have discussed it,” said Calinoiu. “But it was determined initially Highway 28 would have priority because it affects so many communities along its route.”

“ I realize that is on the backburner,” agreed Talaga. “But if we mentioned it every time, we keep it on the agenda.

“We don’t want to be forgotten.”

Council agreed to set aside $800.

The council also agreed to pay the costs of $250 for the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner coming up in April.

Chief Administrative officer Colin Zyla said this year there was going to be a different caterer for the dinner and the FCSS only had a budget to cover the food and entertainment.

Councillor Talaga moved to pay the fee and it was passed.

Fort Saskatchewan program aids those fleeing domestic violence, announces MLA

This week I’m proud to tell you all about the new “Healing Homes Program.” The Fort Saskatchewan Families First Society has launched this program to offer medium to longterm (six to 24 months) safe housing and support for those fleeing from domestic violence.

Healing Homes will be an essential service for those fleeing domestic violence. It will provide these families the opportunity to consider their options, find long-term housing, heal, and recover in a safe environment and location that will be kept confidential.

Referrals to the Family

Violence Prevention Program have increased a great deal over the past two years, 40 per cent in 2021 and 130 per cent in 2020. This shows how essential and timely this program is and I am proud that the Alberta government is partnering with Families First and that Fort Saskatchewan is leading the way in supporting victims of domestic violence.

Skill development in rural Alberta is incredibly important. That is why our government is providing the Rural Library Grant for Skill Development. It is an excellent program that promotes: digital literacy, employment and job skill development, and rural community and economic development. Libraries serving populations of twenty thousand or less are eligible for funding up to twenty-five thousand dollars. I would encourage all rural libraries to apply.

For more information please visit https: //www.alberta.ca/public-library-grant-skilldevelopment-ruralalberta.aspx.

Everyone should have a safe and healthy workplace. That is why the government is partnering with SafeGen and other organizations to support students as they build their careers. Young Albertans need to be supported and empowered to make responsible decisions in their careers.

The JobSafe education program, provided by SafeGen, is an excellent tool to teach students proper health and safety practices on job sites. It is particularly important for students going into the trades to develop good habits and practices.

Finally, the government is expanding the New Beginnings Bursary to support seventeen hundred low-income students study to become nurses. Eligible students will be able to acquire a one-time, fivethousand dollar bursary.

This will help build up our front-line healthcare workers. More information can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/news.aspx.

Jackie ArmstrongHomeniuk, MLA Fort SaskatchewanVegreville Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Refugee Settlement in Alberta

Lamont County to participate in rural homelessness survey

Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter

There will be 20 organizations representing 44 communities across rural Alberta helping to conduct Alberta’s third provincial housing and service needs estimation.

Their goal is to capture a comprehensive picture of rural, remote, and Indigenous homelessness.

Provincial estimates in 2018 and 2020 were conducted by communities across Alberta, and the Rural Development Network (RDN) is looking to update the data available.

“This iteration of the

Alberta Provincial Housing and Service Needs Estimation is unique compared to past iterations; we are seeing increasing interest in addressing housing and service needs at a regional level, as is evidenced by the fact that we have 20 organizations taking part and representing 44 communities,” says Emma Wallace, Project Manager of Community Development and Homelessness Estimations at RDM.

She thinks that the data collected across the participating communities will not only serve to better understand the housing and service needs in individual communities, but also to support rural, remote, and Indigenous housing and homelessness advocacy work at a provincial and federal level.

“Give the increasing number of people experiencing homelessness across the country, as a result of COVID-19, and rising inflation, it is more important than ever to collect accurate data on the state of homelessness in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities to ensure the rural perspective isn’t left out of provincial and federal conversations and fund- ing decisions on housing and homelessness,” Wallace says.

Grande Prairie Reeve Bob Marshall says it will be his county’s third year working with the Rural Development Network.

Data will be collected in communities between March 1 and 31.

Participating communities include Camrose, City and County, and Lamont along with Viking, Tofield, and Beaver County.

To learn more about this project and ways to participate, contact project lead Emma Wallace, at emmaw@ruraldevelopment.ca.

Just another Lamont County sunset.

Elk Island Parks seeks public input on management plan

BY JOHN MATHER

Elk Island National Park has released its 10year draft management plan and is now seeking public input to help shape the future of the national park.

Canadians can have their say on the drafted Elk Island National Park Management Plan, said EINP communications officer Sarah Rymer in a release. She said Parks Canada staff will be available at local events and universities in Edmonton throughout February and March. Or people can participate in the virtual open house or complete an online survey.

Spring Machinery Consignment Auction

Hwy #16 East, Alberta - Online Auctions

Toll Free 1-855-783-0556

Selling equipment to all four Western provinces and the Northern USA. Listings are now being accepted for our Spring Machinery Consignment Auctions at our Hwy #16 East Location

H #16 E S Y A 7 11 ,

2023 Location:

South Side of the Road

Phone: (780) 208-2508 Office

Aaron Olson - (403) 913-9644

Justin Janke - (780) 515-0888

Norm Hill - (780) 903-6199

Terry Skiftun (780) 632-1774

We are now accepting Listings for this Sale. Any items prelisted by March 7th will be included in our Sales Posters, Newspaper & Radio Advertising, Web Page, Social Media and extensive mailing lists.

Whether you have one piece or a complete line of Machinery give Aaron a call at (403) 913-9644 or Allen at (403) 783-0556 to discuss the best option for you to realize top dollars.

Allen B. Olson Auction Service Ltd.

Rimbey Office - 403-843-2747 - Toll Free - 1-855-783-0556

Hwy #16 East Office - 780-208-2508

Rimbey & Hwy #16 East, Alberta - License No. 165690

Email: abolson@telusplanet.net - Website: www.allenolsonauction.com

Elk Island National Park is located just 35 minutes east of Edmonton. It has worked hard to advance bison conservation over the last 100 years and serves as an important refuge for elk, moose, and more than 250 species of birds. The national park is loved by wildlife enthusiasts, campers, hikers, cyclists, paddlers, stargazers and beachgoers alike.

A management plan for a Parks Canada administered heritage place guides management decisions and actions at that place and serves as a key accountability document to the public.

Unreserved Real Estate & Retirement Auction Sale for Nick's Oilfield Welding

Starts Opening March 31, 2023 & Closes on April 4th, 2023

Real Estate & Equipment Located in Killam, Alberta Street Address: 5607 51st Ave

Legal: Plan 6031MC, Block A, Lot 1 & 2

Selling a Behlen 40'x60' Commercial Building on a 110'x158.5' Double Lot with Hwy #13 Frontage. The Building has 2 - 12'W by 13'H Over Head Doors on the North Side and 1 - 14'W by 13' H

Overhead Door on the East Side, Plus 2 Man Doors. It also has a Natural Gas Boiler with Cement Floor & Radiant Heat, 125 Amp Service, Exhaust Fans, Office Space, Storage Above the Office & Washroom plus Eavestroughs & Telephone Service.

2022 Taxes: $2,452.33

Viewing by Appointment - Please Contact Nick at (780) 385-2342

Killam is a thriving, vibrant town with a population 989, located within the Flagstaff County, at the busy intersection of Hwy 36 & Hwy 13 in east central Alberta. The Town offers a full range of all the amenities you are looking for! Including an active hospital, public school, RCMP office and a strong, competitive retail sector.

Real Estate Transactions are being Handled by Morrison Realty

Kim Hughes (403) 704-3141 & Allen Olson (403) 783-0556

Real Estate Terms & Conditions: 10 % Down on Sale Day. Balance & Possession on or before May 4th, 2023. If Balance is NOT RECEIVED by May 4th, 2023 the Deposit will be Forfeited as Liquidation Damages. All measurements are approximate and need to be verified by the purchaser. Online Bidding Fees Apply - 4% up to a Max. of $800.00 per Item.

License No. 165690

Allen B. Olson Auction Service Ltd.

Rimbey & Hwy #16 East/Rge Rd 185, Alberta

(780) 208-2508 - Hwy #16 East/Rge Rd 185 (403) 843-2747 Rimbey - Toll Free 1-855-783-0556

Email: abolson@telusplanet.net - Homepage: allenolsonauction.com