Proud to be an Independent CANADIAN Publication
$1 INCLUDING GST
Your Independent Local Newspaper Established in 1918 VOLUME 104: ISSUE 16
www.tofieldmerc.com
HOLDEN RURAL ACADEMY GETS INITIAL APPROVAL.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021
BRSD TRUSTEES ATTEND FIRST BOARD MEETING.
SEE PAGE 8
SEE PAGE 12
Tofield student takes part in ‘The Nutcracker’
MLA Jackie Lovely’s Motion 524 passed MOUSH JOHN Editor
LEFT: Desirae Anderson poses for a picture. RIGHT: Anderson in front of The Nutcracker production poster before her performance. SUBMITTED PHOTOS MOUSH JOHN Editor
Tofield School’s Grade 9 student, Desirae Anderson, was selected to play a part in Edmonton’s production, The Nutcracker, earlier this month. Performing at the Jubilee Auditorium, Anderson said that she had auditioned for the role as early as October. Even though her role was that of a rat in a battle scene, she said what was enjoyable was the
other dancers she met. “It was lovely meeting the other dancers who performed in the production, and getting to know them as friends,” she added. “However, to this date my favourite performance is Hotel Transylvania. I have taken part in other productions, such as the Disney parade, and various musical theatres, but in the past two years, we haven’t danced much because of the pandemic.” Alberta Ballet’s rendition of The Nutcracker, is
Tchaikovsky’s classic score presented with choreography by Alberta Ballet’s Edmund Stripe, performed by 120 performers from Albertan dance companies and dance schools, which makes Anderson’s feat even more significant. “Miss Alexis of Nikos Dance, who is my ballet teacher, really encouraged me to audition,” she said. “Both her and Miss Niki were so happy when I told them I got selected. They came and watched me perform!”
MLA Jackie Lovely took up the cause for rural Albertans when she addressed the shortage of rural veterinarians in the province. Speaking to the issue, Lovely was instrumental in tabling and passing Motion 524 which urges the government to explore ways of increasing the number of veterinarians serving our rural communities. The Motion also recognizes the critical role rural veterinarians play in the province’s economy. In her speech, Lovely said, “We are facing a problem that has become critical all over rural Alberta. There is an alarming shortage of large-animal veterinarians, which is putting a huge strain on those in the profession, the producers, and the animals
DR MARC KALLAL DR TIFFANY LIM DR JEANETTE TRAC
5024 51 AVE PH: 780-662-0104
they care about. This is why I am moving Motion 524.” There are approximately 864 vacant professional veterinary positions in Alberta, with the majority of the shortage in rural Alberta. The vacancy rate for veterinarians is around 17 per cent, which is “shockingly high” when compared to the provincial rate of 2.6 per cent. According to Lovely, the detrimental effect this has on existing vets is leading to increased cases of burnout. She added, “According to the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association some of the impacts of the shortages include hours of work being 24/7, 365 days a year; lack of locum availability; complexity of cases; and isolation. “It is projected that in 20 years approximately one-third of the current
OFFICE HOURS MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
11-4 10-5 10-6 10-5 9-3 9-1
vet workforce will be working and only 15 per cent of veterinary technicians. These figures work against the annual increase in demand of care we will see as it increases 3.5 per cent a year” Lovely explained that a problem compounding the shortage is the rising costs due to the unprecedented rate of inflation. “The cost of veterinarian supplies is going up, which is impacting not only the cost to the owners of the clinic; it is making vet care more expensive, which is particularly concerning for large-animal producers, whose market price has not kept pace. The shortage of vets is having an impact in other ways as well. For rural vets, much of their practice is done in the community and on location. Unlike urban clinics, where their clients Continued on Page 8
WE ARE HERE FOR ALL YOUR EYE CARE NEEDS!
BOOK YOUR EYE EXAM DIRECTLY ONLINE AT WWW.TOFIELDEYECARE.COM
20% off SUNGLASSES SALE - prescription and non prescription Sale until December 31. Some conditions apply.