Vol. 93 No. 9 March 8, 2023
Crowsnest Pass Curling, a winter sport for all DEVIN BRADY Pass Herald Community Reporter The Crowsnest Pass Curling league is searching for younger players to pick up the sport. For 43 years Flora and Jim Griffiths have been curling at the Crowsnest Pass Sports Complex. The building first opened in 1979 and in 1980 it saw the first curling teams enter its doors. Since then it has seen many faces come and go. Thursday afternoons at 1 p.m. is when the seniors league convene for a couple of hours of activity followed by snacks, a hot beverage and a 50/50 raffle. This league is the heart of the Crowsnest Pass curling club, but Jim and Flora are hoping to attract a younger crowd and help boost the sport’s popularity in the community. The ice is open four days of the week for the different leagues to meet and play. Monday at 6:30 p.m. is family curling, Tuesday at 7 p.m. is open for anyone to drop-in and learn from the years of experience in the arena. Thursday sees the seniors league at 1 p.m. and the mixed league at 7 p.m. New this year is ‘sturling’ on Sunday afternoons at 1 p.m., a fast-paced game with teams of two instead of four with each person throwing 36 rocks. “Curling is hurting overall in Alberta,” said Jim after an afternoon on the ice when talking about wanting to induct more youth into the sport, “Parents are the driving force, without them there are no kids. Once they come out though, they like it.” On March 11 you can join in the fun at the Shamrock Funspiel where all are welcome. If you do go, pack a delicious lunch for the lunch swap. If you have the most attractive lunch box, you just may win a prize according to Flora. However, the biggest event they have every year is the Bunny Bonspiel at Easter to end the season with a bang.
Devin Brady photo
Crowsnest Pass Curling members out on the ice during a match. The Shamrock Funspiel is the next big event for the organization. See more photos on page 5.
2 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, March 8, 2023
2023 Alberta Provincial Budget highlights NICK ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter On March 1, Minister Travis Toews spoke with members of the media to discuss Budget 2023 and the impact it will have on Albertans. “Our government understands the important role that [the media] and your communities have, and that is why we wanted to provide this opportunity,” said Toews. He said there are two main themes that have been “standard” for every budget since the UCP took office, economic growth and fiscal responsibility. Part of the current government’s plans was erasing the debt they
NOTICE of
“inherited” from the previous government. “We inherited a government that was spending close to 10 billion dollars more compared to other provinces on a per capita basis,” said Toews, “The good news is, by 2023, our current fiscal year, we’ve erased that 10-billion-dollar differential.” Toews said another focus of the party is additional investment in the education system and additional support for Albertans. There is also an increase of new Albertans, which will require an increased level of services as a result. “One thing that we’re seeing right across the province is an increase in net migration from Canadians choosing Alberta as their [new] home,” added Toews. With regard to inflation, Toews said they rolled out the Affordability Action Plan, which was based on “tax relief” with the fuel tax in the province being suspended since January 1 through to the end of June. After that, the fuel tax will be tied to the price of West Texas Intermediate when it hits $80 a barrel. The government also started a program that provides relief for student loan repayment. “Prior to this budget, when an individual’s income hit $25,000, they were no longer eligible for their relief from repayment of student loans. We’re moving that threshold up to $40,000, recognizing that everything’s been going up. Individuals that are making less than
Council Briefs: Hillcrest Miner’s Club RCMP and Golf Sunday, March 19th, 2023 1:00pm Course discussion Annual General Meeting for
Election of Officers Members only
AGM Meeting
Bellecrest Senior Citizens Club Date: March 30th,2023 Time: 10:30 Place: Bellecrest Seniors Hall Everyone welcome
NICK ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter Council hears RCMP update and Golf Club discussion. On February 28, the mayor and members of the council met to discuss several issues during their regular council meeting. Both public hearings held during the meeting had no one from the public speaking on them and no written submissions were received. Council had a delegation from the Crowsnest Pass Golf Club speaking about water rates for the course and wishing to work with the municipality on lowering them to a “fair rate.” President Hal Nummi and general manager Warren Gietz spoke on behalf of the club to discuss how they can work together to resolve the water cost issue.
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“When we last presented to Council on January 17, we focused on who our club is and the benefits of our non-profit golf course to the community... The main purpose of our presentation today is to provide council with background for the request contained in our letter of February 3,”
$40,000 can use support and assistance,” said Toews. He said they are working on “strengthening our health care system” as there is a health care challenge across the province. “Health care is a challenge, and we’re really experiencing that challenge with respect to capacity. This isn’t so much a capacity of bricks and mortar, it’s a capacity challenge of frontline health care professionals,” said Toews. He said a part of the UCP’s plan is to provide funding to attract foreign-trained health care professionals into the province. They will also be funding 2000 additional seats in post-secondary institutions around the province for health care professionals. “If you live in rural Alberta, like I do, it’s important that we can attract and retain more physicians and frontline health care workers,” said Toews. They are also making substantial investments into the Ministry of Public Safety and the Ministry of Justice to increase the level of police enforcement across the province. “The Public Safety Minister has committed to working with municipalities to ultimately get more boots on the ground, and that will likely be in the form of provincial sheriffs,” clarified Toews. More information on Budget 2023 is available at open.alberta.ca/publications/budget-2023.
said Nummi. Their goal is to prepare a proposal for a fair rate in advance of the upcoming rates, charges and fees bylaw. They requested historical financial and operational data for the water system and to have a discussion with administration regarding the water rate. “Your request will be considered and when we’re doing this deliberation, you’re more than welcome to come and sit in on the conversation,” said Mayor Blair Painter. RCMP Cpl. Mark Amatto spoke with the council for their quarterly update at the meeting as well. They gave crime statistic updates and spoke about some of the major developments with the detachment. Regarding the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, the report said local enforcement at licensed establishments and partnerships with businesses in the municipality have been successful. “Although they have a smattering of support in the community, it is mostly from the drug and criminal elements and no decent law-abiding persons have an interest in their presence or activities,” said Amatto. Another goal of the Crowsnest Pass RCMP is to reduce substance abuse. They have increased participation and interactions with students during school hours and seen community engagement in the form of Town Halls and “Informal contact” with the public. “Drugs remain an issue and most who are engaged in the public of younger to middle age agree there are a lot of drugs in the area and the police can do more,” said Amatto, “The following quarter will see a concentration in CDSA investigations with an eye and aim to more charges. Facebook will be utilized in this regard as a front-line info exchange and encouragement to contact police.” There was also a Municipal Planning Committee bylaw discussion and two land use bylaw amendments that passed the first reading. For more information on this and future meetings, the full package is available at crowsnestpass. com/municipal-government/council/meeting-packages-minutes.
Keep you eyes open for our
Music Festival Supplement in our March 22 issue
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 3
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POLICE BRIEFS
Assault Charge On March 2, 2023, there was a complaint of a disturbance at residence in Blairmore. A 35-year-old male was arrested and charged with assault; they were later released on documents to attend Pincher Creek Court . Firework Complaint
There was a total of 36 calls for service received between February 28 and March 6. The calls included one assault, one residential break and enter, one other break and enter, two threats/harassment, four disturbing the peace, two other criminal codes, one other provincial statute, one driving complaint, seven motor vehicle collisions, one assistance to the general public, two suspicious occurrences, one assist to other agencies, eight violation tickets/warnings, one 911 call, one animal call and one municipal bylaw. Residential Disturbances On February 28, 2023 , there was a complaint of a disturbance at dwelling unit in Bellevue. The police attended and there was no indication of a physical or criminal offence, the second party left the property before police arrived. No charges pending at this time. On March 5, 2023, there was a complaint of a disturbance at a residence in Blairmore, police attended but there was no indication a physical or criminal offence occurred. No charges pending at this time. Mischief Charge On March 2, 2023, police received a complaint of a disturbance at a residence in Blairmore. A 42-year-old male was arrested and charged with mischief. He was later also charged with breach of a release document. He was released on documents to attend Pincher Creek Court.
On March 5, 2023, there was a complaint of a person setting off a firework outside a bar in Blairmore. The suspect was identified and the 28-year-old male was arrested and charged with mischief then released on documents to attend Pincher Creek court. Reminders to the Public Reminder about driving complaints at traffic lights, vehicles are passing in turning lane and in front of vehicles in through lanes, this maneuver may cause an accident or result in road rage. Reminder to drivers that winter has arrived. Drive according to weather and road conditions. brush your vehicles off, put your headlights/taillights on and dress accordingly. Reminder to property owners to lock your doors and vehicles. Mark your belongings and record serial numbers of tools and other important items. Reminder to residents of computer scams, credit cards scams, Grandparent scams and Revenue Canada scams, do not give out personal information to persons you don’t know. DO NOT OPEN EMAILS if you are suspicious of its origin. Do NOT purchase gift cards for payment to Revenue Canada. Do not send money to a person claiming you have won a prize and need to send money for delivery. If anyone has any information on drug activity, please contact Crime Stoppers. Tips can be phoned in to 1-800-222-8477.
The Simple Raven’s Post BY AVNER PERL
Dust to Dust A friend from over fifty years ago called me. We used to associate when it was a different world. It was a tough world to live in, but good times were still coming. Thanks to some leaders who cared about us, and some of us having the wisdom to use our political power, we did alright. Not everyone excelled, but most managed to have a reasonable life. People who didn’t finish grade twelve could own a house. The generation that leads the world today is not ready to make the necessary changes, preferring to live on what my generation built. They are willing to work and study for the things that we assumed were the gravy, but not for the potatoes. They want the latest expensive toys and the most exciting holidays, all paid with easy credit. When elections come, they demand that the government will do the same. This attitude is not new. The Hebrew slaves of antiquity were willing to stay in slavery for someone to feed them while working them to death. We read stories about the end of the Roman empire when the population revolted, shouting that they want bread and entertainment. We see the world today and we don’t pay attention, repeating the same mistakes. Canada is absorbing more immigrants and migrants than ever, since we have no workers to fill the empty positions. I see it right here in town. Those who provide work try to do so without paying what is needed to carry on with business. They blame taxes for their problems since the tax money often is wasted with not much to show for it. The governments are “creating jobs” instead of using workers to make improvements. Canada is stealing educated workers from poorer countries and, in doing so, is changing the country’s demographics. There is even talk about foreign governments buying some of our elected officials. All parties may be guilty of it. Many elected representatives owe their positions, pensions, and all to the foreign
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owners of corporations who may not care about the people here at all. In my opinion, we have a problem selecting leaders for popularity instead of ability. It can’t go on like that. Most of the people I know believe in God, in some way or another. Many of them believe in some kind of afterlife existence even while knowing that the earthly body and the brain return to the dust it was made from. The debate has been going on since the beginning of human existence on earth. I have my religious views and my understanding, which are not exactly the same, but close. I believe that the world is programmed to support all those who exist upon it and will slow down the production of living things that have no room. All that we have and use is made of the earth and to the earth will return. If anyone is short on the necessities of life, you can very easily find someone who has much more of what they need or even can comfortably use. You see the tent cities of homeless people or seniors not eating vegetables they can’t afford and you see people owning many mansions, cars, and airplanes that they rarely use. The picture repeats itself all over the world, and it’s not new. Years ago when I was a student, archaeologists unearthed a chapel on one of the Greek islands with a saying printed on the stone wall saying, just take what you need and leave the rest. They don’t know who wrote it. Carbon dating showed that it was older than the classical Hellenistic buildings around it, pre-dating Christianity by much. We, the modern people of today, fight to keep our culture pure and maintain our domination over the riches of the world. Others are flocking to our borders trying to get in. We also fight to keep those who lived in “our countries” before us from having an equal share of natural resources. The Russians are fighting for ownership of Ukraine as we speak. Why is it so? Are we not all Christians believing in a moral code based on loving our neighbor as ourselves? Are not all the other faiths that formed our civilizations saying the same in one form or another? Yes, they do. A friend tells me to sell my home and give the money to the poor. I think it is ridiculous. What Christianity is trying to impress on us is that having friends and a community is the most important thing to do. If we took all the money that exists after people keep all they can use, we would have enough to feed, house, and educate all the people. First, we need politicians that do their work, not just try to be in power. Second, we need to teach society that at any time we may be those in need and depend on help from others. That is when God will grant us the second coming, which we have been waiting for thousands of years. We have all we need and only need to use it in the right way. Here is a link to my blog: https://thesimpleravenspost.blogspot.ca/ Feel free to check other articles and comment.
4 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, March 8, 2023
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED BYLAW NO 1141, 2022 - LAND USE BYLAW AMENDMENT 7:00PM, March 28, 2023 Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers 8502 – 19 Avenue, Coleman
Residential – R-3” to “Residential – R-1”. The subject lands are locally known as 2225 and 2237 132nd Street and are located in Blairmore.
COMMUNITY REGISTRATION NIGHT
The purpose of the proposed amendment is to provide for the opportunity to use and develop the lands in accordance with the provisions of the “Residential – R-1” land use district.
THEREFORE, TAKE NOTICE THAT a public hearing to consider PURSUANT to sections 216.4, 606, and 692 of the Municipal the proposed Bylaw No. 1146, 2023 will be held in the Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers at 7:00pm M-26, the Council of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in on March 28, 2023. Each person shall be allotted 5 minutes the Province of Alberta hereby gives notice of its intention to present their position. to consider proposed Bylaw No. 1141, 2023, being a bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 868, 2013, being the municipal land use AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that anyone wishing to provide bylaw. slide decks, maps, videos or a written submission regarding
the proposed bylaw should email: Bonnie Kawasaki, The purpose of Bylaw Executive Assistant to the CAO at bonnie.kawasaki@ No. 1141, 2023 is to crowsnestpass.com with the bylaw number and public redesignate the lands hearing date clearly marked in the subject line no later than legally described as a 12:00pm on March 21, 2023. Verbal presentations (limited portion of the SW¼ to 5 minutes) will be accepted at the public hearing. 9-8-5-W5M, containing ±1.16 ha (2.86 acres), For questions regarding the proposed Bylaw Amendment as shown on Schedule please contact the Development Officer by calling 403-562‘A’, from “Non-Urban 8833 or emailing development@crowsnestpass.com. Area – NUA-1” to “NonUrban Commercial Recreation – NUCR-1.” The subject land A copy of the proposed bylaw may be inspected at the is located in the Crowsnest area (no civic address), south of municipal office during normal business hours. Highway 3.
March 15, 2023 5:30pm - 7:00pm MDM Community Centre 2802 - 222 Street, Bellevue Various community and recreational service groups throughout the Crowsnest Pass will be participating in a registration and information night. This is a great opportunity to find out information about different opportunities, fall and winer programs, and to register at the same time.
DATED at the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province For all ages! Find out what you can do this Spring & The purpose of the proposed amendment is to provide for of Alberta this 1st day of March, 2023. Summer. the opportunity to use and develop the lands in accordance If your group would like to book a table, please call Tracey at with the provisions of the “Non-Urban Commercial DEVELOPMENT PERMITS 403-563-2208. Recreation – NUCR-1” land use district. THEREFORE, TAKE NOTICE THAT a public hearing to consider The Development MOVED? CHANGE YOUR MAILING/ Authority of the the proposed Bylaw No. 1141, 2023 will be held in the EMAIL ADDRESS? Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers at 7:00pm Municipality of on March 28, 2023. Each person shall be allotted 5 minutes Crowsnest Pass Property Assessments and Tax recently approved the to present their position. Notices will be distributed at following development the end of April 2023. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that anyone wishing to provide application(s): slide decks, maps, videos or a written submission regarding If you own property in DP2023-010: 21431 29 Avenue, Bellevue (Lot 34 Block the proposed bylaw should email: Bonnie Kawasaki, the Crowsnest Pass and 3 Plan 1211031). To construct an “Accessory Building” Executive Assistant to the CAO at bonnie.kawasaki@ have changed your mailing (permitted use) crowsnestpass.com with the bylaw number and public address or have signed up hearing date clearly marked in the subject line no later than 12:00pm on March 21, 2023. Verbal presentations (limited DP2023-018: 2122 208 Street, Bellevue (Lot 14 Block 16 Plan for paperless notifications 0612667). For a “Single-Family Dwelling” (Ready-to-Move), and have changed your email to 5 minutes) will be accepted at the public hearing. address, you will need to with a variance to the rear yard from 7.60m to 6.09m update your information with For questions regarding the proposed Bylaw Amendment please contact the Development Officer by calling 403-562- Any persons claiming to be adversely affected by the above us by one of the following discretionary development permits or variances may file an methods: 8833 or emailing development@crowsnestpass.com. appeal in writing by March 22, 2023, to the SUBDIVISION • Complete the form found at: https://portal.laserfiche. AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL BOARD or the Land and A copy of the proposed bylaw may be inspected at the ca/o8468/forms/Address-Change PROPERTY RIGHTS TRIBUNAL, as may be applicable. municipal office during normal business hours. • Update your mailing address on your Certificate of Title with Alberta Land Titles DATED at the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province Subdivision and Development Appeal Board: • Contact the Municipality at 403-563-2203 or taxroll@ MUNICIPALITY OF CROWSNEST PASS of Alberta this 15th day of February 2023. crowsnestpass.com BOX 600, CROWSNEST PASS, ALBERTA T0K 0E0. PROPOSED BYLAW NO 1146, 2022 - LAND USE BYLAW Fee of $400.00 must be included with the appeal. Property owners are responsible to pay taxes and utilities by AMENDMENT the respective deadlines whether or not a notice is received. Land and Property Rights Tribunal 1229-91 Street SW, Edmonton AB T6X 1E9 7:00PM, March 28, 2023 If you have not received your tax notice within a few weeks Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers of April 30, please contact the Tax Department at 403-563Development Officer 8502 – 19 Avenue, Coleman 2203 or taxroll@crowsnestpass.com to obtain a copy. Municipality of Crowsnest Pass PURSUANT to sections 216.4, 606, and 692 of the Municipal Phone: 403 562-8833 Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter Email: development@crowsnestpass.com ASIST M-26, the Council of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta hereby gives notice of its intention SENIORS UTILITY RATE REDUCTION APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING to consider proposed Bylaw No. 1146, 2023, being a bylaw April 15 & 16 | $25 RENEWALS to amend Bylaw No. 868, 2013, being the municipal land use Elk’s Hall | 2025 - 129 Street, Blairmore bylaw. Register at 403-563-2207 or kim.lewis@crowsnestpasscom As per the Senior’s Rate Reduction Program Policy, the utility rate reduction must be renewed annually prior to April 30 of The purpose of Bylaw • Attend a 2 day Suicide Intervention workshop in the each year. No. 1146, 2023 is to Crowsnest Pass. redesignate the lands • ASIST is a nationally recognized course that helps you To ensure that the rate relief is not disrupted for your legally described as a intervene with a person who is at risk of suicide. portion of Lots 29-32, property, please fill out the application form found at • Learn practical skills to help you save friends, family, https://www.crowsnestpass.com/living-here/finance/forms, Block 18, Plan 3319I, strangers, etc. along with a copy of your 2022 T4A (OAS) and return it to within NE¼ 35-7-4• Registration is limited to 30 people. W5M, containing ±0.107 the Municipal office no later than April 30, 2023. • Participants MUST attend both days from 8:30amha (0.263 acres), as 4:30pm. Please contact the Utility Department at 403-563-2203 for shown on Schedule • For more info on course: www.suicideinfo.ca ‘A’, from “Multi-Family further information.
8502 - 19 Avenue, Coleman Box 600, Crowsnest Pass, AB, T0K 0E0 ph: 403-562-8833 e: reception@crowsnestpass.com www.crowsnestpass.com After Hours Public Works Emergencies: 403-562-2021
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 5
Hurry, hard! Crowsnest Curling Club festivities
Devin Brady photo
Community Events Listing Sponsored by:
Event
Date
Time
Place
More info
The Pole & Spur - Skijoring
March 11
11am - 4pm
Sartoris Staging Area
403-563-0115
Let it Be Musical
March 17 - 25
6:30 pm
Crowsnest Golf Course
missdebbiesmusic@gmail.com
CNP Music Festival
March 20 - 30
Varies
To be announced
www.crowsnestpassmusicfestival.com
CNP Skating Club Carnival
March 26
11am
Coleman Sport Complex
registrar@crowsnestpassskatingclub.com
Contact The Pass Herald if your non-profit organization would like an event listed passheraldads@gmail.com
6 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Herald Editorial LISA SYGUTEK
I got bit by a dog! I have had dogs all my life. I love dogs. I’ve never feared a dog in my entire life. Now I’m scared of dogs. We have a dog leash by-law in the community. I’ve never really thought about why we have it, I just acknowledged that we do. Now I understand. Here is my story: Last Monday I was running up and down the Pass Powderkeg Ski Hill Road. I have signed up for the Minotaur race in June, so I’m doing a lot of back country trail running. It was cold and I was bundled up pretty good. I had on two wool sweaters, a down jacket and a wind proof outer layer. I was coming down the road, the first of four laps when I noticed a man walking with two dogs, neither on a leash. I remember thinking, “wow, the one dog is hobbling pretty bad, he/she must be old”. When I run, I usually have earphones in with music playing so I wasn’t actively listening to my surroundings. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something golden in colour barrelling towards me. The dog came down the hill beside me and it was moving fast. I turned my back to the dog as it approached and started jumping on me. This is no little dog; it was big enough that when it jumped it was level with my head! This was a big dog and it was jumping up and down on me. I looked over at the owner who was just standing there watching, doing nothing to leash his dog. I started screaming, “get your dog on a leash”. Again, he did nothing. I started trying to move away and the dog followed me, still jumping up and down on me. Again, the owner was doing nothing. I stopped and started screaming for him to get his dog. Nothing. When I stopped the dog did another lunge and bit my elbow. He bit hard. Now I was screaming that his dog bit me. He looked me straight in the face, turned and moved down the hill towards the entrance to the kid’s bike park. He yelled at the dog to follow, which it finally did. I stood there with a throbbing elbow; I think in shock. Then the dog came back and just stood there looking at me, while the owner yelled at it to come. I turned and started running up the hill, hoping it wouldn’t follow. I’m not sure why I did that, other than I didn’t want to be going in the same direction as the owner and his dogs. When I got home, I looked at my elbow and although it was severely bruised, the dog didn’t break the skin. I think my jacket and layers saved me. I have contacted the peace officer and have laid a formal complaint against the owner. I did go to Spry and bought some dog and coyote spray, but honestly, I shouldn’t have to. I have since ran up the hill several days in a row and have run into four sets of people on the road without their dogs leashed. I get that people want to give their dogs an outdoor run, I used to do the same thing, but it only takes one situation where a dog gets too excited to hurt someone. I truly believe that we don’t have bad dogs, but have some really bad owners. This man was obviously a terrible owner. The dog is now in trouble, the owner will get fined, and I am now terrified of unleashed dogs. No one wins in these situations. So please, leash your dogs. If your dog needs exercise and you are in the backcountry, then at least have a leash close by and have your dog trained to come back at command. Remember, we do have a dog park, please use it.
Herald “Letters to the Editor” Policy
Policy: The Pass Herald welcomes Letters to the Editor that examine issues, but reserves the right to edit for length, libel and syntax. Writers must sign letters and include first and last names, address and telephone number. Address and telephone numbers will not be published. Only in exceptional cases will the Pass Herald withhold the name of the writer and in those cases the writer must disclose his/her name, address and telephone number to the Editor. Electronic email will be considered an electronic signature. Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinion of the Pass Herald. Letters cannot exceed 600 words. We have limited space, but we do enjoy printing every article. So please, to allow everyone to express their opinion, keep the letters short and to the point. We do have the right to refuse any letter that in our judgement may contain libel or libelous opinions. Should a litigation result from your letter, you as the writer are responsible but so is this newspaper as the publisher. The Pass Herald is a family owned community newspaper and therefore reserves the right to refuse any advertisement that in our opinion does not follow our mandate. We cannot accept advertisements or letters criticizing or disparaging other advertisers, companies or individuals or any ad-
Welcome Devin to our newspaper team The Pass Herald is pleased to welcome DevinBrady to our team. Devin will be doing some freelance work for us here at the paper. This is a little bio of our newest member to the team:
My name is Devin Brady, and I am coming onboard with the Crowsnest Pass Herald as a freelance
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday, March 14 6 p.m. Fort Macleod Masonic Hall
2210 Third Ave. l Fort Macleod
vertisements directed to a religion or race. Deadline for submission is the Friday prior to publication.
photographer. I most recently worked with Alberta Wildfire during the summer out of Rocky Mountain House and ran a small photography business out of St. Albert working with local businesses to promote their products, as well as capture memories through family portraits. I have always been enchanted by historical photos, seeing the people and places of a time long past, stamped forever in a photograph. Storytelling and documenting through photography is a powerful medium which I want to bring to the community and to the Crowsnest Pass Herald. Outside of work, I can usually be seen with a camera in hand, either along the street, in a café or on the abundant trails in the area. If I am not out running around, then I am likely home smoking meat and eating delicious food with my fiancé. If you ever see me, please feel free to come say hello. Being new to the community I am always looking forward to meeting people. I am excited to be working alongside a dedicated group of journalists to document the stories of the people that make up my new home. I can be reached at devin.brady@devinbrady.ca or by phone at (780) 819-1476.
Bricks and Bouquets This is your column, THE READERS, use it but please don’t abuse it. All Bricks & Bouquets are expressions from OUR READERS and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of THIS newspaper. If you wish to expressly thank someone, please use our CARD OF THANKS section of this newspaper. We appreciate you making this column a success, and keep sending us your Bricks and Bouquets. All Bricks and Bouquets are kept on file at the Pass Herald.
BRICKS To the Crowsnest Medical Centre for making patients wait ten days for appointments just for a pill refill or test results. BRICKS To the tenants of the Bellevue Inn who park for days on end, not leaving space for Bellevue Commercial customers. Lisa Sygutek Owner/Publisher Nick Allen Reporter/Photography Tina Pedersen Advertising John Kinnear Community Reporter Avner Perl Feature Writer Published every Wednesday Subscription Rates (includes GST):
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Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 7
Nick’s Notes
JOHNPUNDYK.COM
403-563-0771
Russian War Crimes
Royal LePage South Country Real Estate Services Ltd.
As the war in Ukraine carries on, evidence of Russian forces commiting atrocities continues to surface through investigation and video. There have been so many war crimes reported and there is an entire wikipedia dedicated to the information already. Early in the war, they were indiscriminately attacking civilian targets, including hospitals and schools. On February 25, 2022, Amnesty International said Russian Forces have “shown a blatant disregard for civilian lives by using ballistic missiles and other explosive weapons with wide area effects in densely populated areas.” This, along with the use of land mines and cluster munitions has just added to the number of weapons they use that might be against international law. They also targeted healthcare facilities at a staggering rate, with over 90 attacks confirmed as of April last year. Then came the mass graves that were found after Russian forces were driven out of Izium during the Kharkiv counterattack by Ukraine. 447 bodies were discovered with 414 being civilians, 215 men, 194 women and 5 children. Among them were 22 servicemen and 11 bodies whose gender could not be determined, as of September 23. Most of the dead showed signs of a violent death, with 30 presenting traces of torture and execution. This wasn’t even the only mass grave that has been found... Ukrainian authorities have also reported civilian deaths from Russian forces shooting at passing civilian vehicles that were trying to flee fighting across the country. The Russian’s have also been found to be using “torture chambers” in Ukraine. In the town of Balakliya, Russia occupied a two-story building named “BalDruk” and used it as a prison and torture center. Two chambers designed for children were also found, with one of the kids being held there describing being cut with a knife, burnt with hot metal and subjected to mock executions. What really hit me this past weekend, was a video that recently surfaced showing Russian military executing an unarmed Ukrainian POW. The video surfaced early this March, and shows him being murdered by machine gun fire after he says “Glory to Ukraine” while smoking a cigarette, The President of Ukraine’s office called the execution a “brutal murder”. I will never let myself forget what is happening in Ukraine, I hope the amazing people of Ukraine make it through these 3” awful times. Slava Ukraini! wide version
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Get ready for the 6th annual Pole and Spur NICK ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter The Crowsnest Pass will be host to the sixth annual skijoring, where horse, rider, and skier teams will race against the clock through an obstacle course with gates, rings, and jumps to claim glory as the fastest team on March 11 at the Sartoris Staging Area. The Pole and Spur, the name for the Crowsnest skijoring, will start at 11 a.m. after a safety meeting with
PEAKS TO PINES RES IDENT S ASSOCIATION
event organizer Joe Trotz. Trotz has been helping put on The Pole and Spur since it started. The first few events were held in February, before they moved the event to March, where it is a bit warmer. Trotz explained his job is to build the track, organize all the panels, snow fence and equipment, with the help of other volunteers. He explained how they were first inspired by contests held south of the border in Whitefish, Montana. The event first began in Europe, with skijoring behind reindeer making its official debut in Stockholm at the Nordic Games of 1901 and is still done in some Scandinavian countries. By 1912, skijoring behind horses was a popular activity in Switzerland and France, before making its way to North America in 1915 at Lake Placid, New York. After spreading across the United States, it made its way into Canada where, as of 2022, there are around 30 events held in the United States and Canada. Trotz mentioned a competition circuit for the sport in the States, saying they borrowed several rules from their handbook, while adding some rules of their own. “We have our own format that we follow. We follow the rulebook, but we throw a few of our own things in there,” said Trotz. It’s not just a speed track, as they build it in an oval
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
shape with flags for the skiers to hit. If they miss a flag or a jump, they are deducted time from their run. “It’s very competitive. We do one complete run of everybody and then we split it in the middle, so we have an A and B division,” explained Trotz. They also have a novice division to compete in with just the one grouping. With the speed of both the horses and skiers during the event, safety is a concern as there is “always something that can go wrong” during the races. “Then we have the cowboy curling, which is our own deal, where the horses pull people on tubes and we have a big ring, just like curling. Whoever gets the closest to the circle wins,” added Trotz. He extended his thanks to the municipality, workers, sponsors and the snowmobile club for use of their groomer to help build the track. Admission at the gate for adults is $10 with a beer garden, 50/50 draw, food vendors, rodeo announcer and a DJ providing entertainment and fun outside of the racing. No outside liquor is permitted and bring your own chairs as seating will be limited. No dogs and/or other animals are allowed at the site during the races. Onsite parking is reserved for contestants, volunteers, and for those with limited accessibility so the organizers recommend hopping on a shuttle bus from downtown Blairmore with two shuttle buses running from the Greenhill Hotel parking lot starting at 10:30 a.m. There will also be a social at the Greenhill Hotel after the event for those 18 and older.
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 1:30pm
Peaks to Pines Seniors Lodge, Coleman Special Resolutions to be presented are available at the Reception Desk at the Lodge. The Election of Officers to also take place at the meeting. New members welcome! Membership fee is $10. See you there!
Pole and Spur 2022
IZES CASH PR DENS R A BEER G UCK FOOD TR S FUN U O L RIDICU
"TH E MO ST FU N YO U CA N HA VE
IN YO UR LO NG JO HN S"
THE POLE & SPUR ULTIMATE MASHUP OF REDNECKS
, HORSES & SKI BUMS
Crowsnest Skijoring Admission: $10/Adult (under 18 free)
March 11, 2023 Former Sartoris Staging Area 11 AM
Deadline for applications is March 31, 2023 Shuttle from Greenhill Hotel Bring chairs - limited seating No pets
WWW.POLEANDSPUR.COM Presented by Kananaskis Rodeo Association & Crowsnest Pass Agricultural Society
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 9
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Thunder season complete WHITNEY LUINI AND LAUREN KIRKMAN Thunder U11 and U 13 Media Relations Thunder U11: Saturday March 4th Crowsnest Pass U11 Thunder took on Sparwood in their second last game of the season. The team played their hearts out, and came home with a well deserving win. The final score was 6-2. Goals scored in the game by Jax Fulkerth, Griffin Luini, Cruz Mckee and Zander Fulkerth. Thunder U13: The Crowsnest Pass Thunder U13 hockey team played away in High River for game two in the Consolation Playoffs. The early afternoon game versus the Foothills Flyers proved to be a close one for the beginning half. The Thunder kept it tied until halfway through the second period when the Flyers crept ahead by 5 goals for the last half and into the third. The final score for the game ended up being 9-5 for the opposition. Goals for the Thunder scored by Gavin Samuel (2), Aidan Bishop, and Nicolas Gillespie. Two assists coming from Sophie Gibboney-Stafford. Goaltender Owen Kirkman had a total of 42 shots on net with a save percentage of 0.786. Thunder will have to win next weekends game to stay in the Consolation Round. Game is against the Taber Oil Kings on home ice Saturday in Coleman at 12:15 PM.
Crowsnest Lake Dance Hall demolition update NICK ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter
Recently, the dance hall on Crowsnest Lake’s east shore was demolished. With it arose concerns from community members around the decision to tear down the building. Morgan Leuthe, the communications advisor for Forestry, Parks and Tourism released this statement on behalf of the Alberta Government. crownsestconservation.ca “We understand the community’s disappointment at the removal of the Sentinal Dance Hall from Crowsnest Lake’s east shore. In its heyday, the dance hall was a popular site for community gatherings, celebrations and revelry and will no doubt be remembered fondly as an important local landmark that figures in the memories of many from the area. with “The decision to remove the structure was made in the interest of maintaining public safety and taken only after all alternatives were thoroughly considered. I come willing to listen to, Upon assessment, it was determined that the derelict advocate for and stand structure was unsafe and posed a high risk to the pubup for our great lic who, in recent decades, enjoyed the building for its constituency. access to the Crowsnest Lake. Regrettably, the site was Wednesday Mar 8th 7-8:30pm beyond repair and could not be saved. Demolition was the only remaining course of action. “In 2022, Forestry, Parks and Tourism staff met with the Municipal Historical Resource Advisory Committee and representatives from the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass. As a result of these conversations, UCP Nomination Candidate For important pieces of the dance hall were salvaged during the demolition to help the community commemoUCP members & friends, please come meet and rate the site’s important local history for future genershare your thoughts with the UCP Nomination ations.” Candidate for Livingstone-Macleod! For a look at the history behind the dance hall and its meaning to the community, you can read John Kinnear’s article titled If those walls could have talked at passherald.ca or through Issuu. Position closes when a suitable candidate is found
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12 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Grizzly Rewild NICK ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter
A documentary project was recently released on CBC and CBC Gem last week called Grizzly Rewild, which documents a first-time scientific study exploring whether orphaned grizzly cubs that have been raised by humans can survive in the wild. The story follows five cubs that are reared at Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in Smithers, British Columbia which is North America’s only grizzly rewilding facility. “After years of habitat destruction and overhunting, many of North America’s grizzly populations are endangered or under threat. When a mother grizzly dies, her orphaned cubs are either euthanized on the spot or sent to a zoo to live in captivity, because it has been assumed they cannot survive. The amazing team at Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter believes orphaned grizzly cubs could potentially help rebuild North America’s threatened grizzly populations and we were able to catch some of their ground-breaking work in Grizzly Rewild,” said writer and director Brad Quenville.
He spoke about the filming process and how they worked to maintain distance from the bears in their enclosure, with the help of instruction from shelter owner Angelika Langen. “She made It clear that we had to keep our distance from these bears. While we obviously didn’t go in the enclosure, we stayed well away from them. We only filmed the bears in the shelter when they were preoccupied with something else and from positions where they couldn’t see us,” added Quenville. While filming, he said how shocked he was to find out how smart the animals were. The intelligence and curiosity of grizzly bears are also part of the reason they clash so often with humans according to Quenville. “Bears get people scared and it gets them killed. It’s important to understand them better and realize that them investigating something doesn’t mean they are aggressive,” he said. Quenville and his son Nick (director of photography), followed Langen as she tries to improve the grizzly cubs’ survival odds by accelerating their growth and reducing their contact with humans. Langen hopes this helps with other places across the country developing their own grizzly rewilding programs. “What we’re aiming to do is create a protocol that users can follow. We already have people talking to us and showing interest from Alberta, Yukon and even Montana. Hopefully, at some point, we have enough information that we can provide them with a really good platform. It’s going to be a work-in-progress for a
long time because the sample size that we’re getting is really small,” said Langen. According to Langen, A lot of bears are orphaned because of attractants, with the mother’s becoming a problem after continued interactions with humans. For this, Langen thinks there needs to be more education and enforcement so people can have a chance to “coexist with these beautiful animals.” “I’m really hoping that [the documentary] can show people that we can rehabilitate these predators without them becoming a problem,” explained Langen. She commented how there is no facility to help these bears in Alberta despite being home to an at-risk population of grizzlies. Grizzly bears were classified as Threatened by the Government of Alberta back in 2010. This classification was due to population size, human caused mortality rates and habitat quality. At the time, there were an estimated 700 to 800 grizzly bears in the province. Along with grizzly caretaker Kim Gruijs, research scientist Dr. Lana Ciarniello and wildlife photographer John Marriott, the documentary follows the distinct behaviours and personalities of the five bears before they were prepared for release into the wild. After release they were monitored using tracking collars. Grizzly Rewild takes viewers on a journey from the bears’ release to their life and death struggles in the wild, giving hope for the future of the grizzly rewilding project. The Nature of Things, Grizzly Rewild began streaming March 3 on CBC Gem.
Herald contributor photos
Snippet of photos from the documentary Grizzly Rewind.
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 13
Livingstone Range School update FRANK MCTIGHE Contributor
Livingstone Range projects enrollment increase
Enrollment is projected to rise across Livingstone Range School Division. An increase of 66 full-time equivalent students is projected for the 2023-’24 term. Associate superintendent of business services Jeff Perry told trustees last week enrollment is expected to reach 3,649.15 full-time equivalent students. “It’s good news,” Perry said. “Again, it’s an early estimate so we’ll see what transpires but we’re trending in the way we want to be.” Perry presented an enrollment report during the school board’s Feb. 27 meeting at the G.R. Davis Administration Building in Fort Macleod. Perry tempered his report by reminding trustees enrollment can change significantly between now and September. “Lots can change between now and then,” Perry said. The provincial government requires school divisions to submit projected enrollment early for budgeting purposes.
Enrollment at Fort Macleod school is projected to increase by 1.5 FTE students. W.A. Day school is forecast to have 288 students, which is down 27.5 from the present year. Enrollment at F.P. Walshe school is projected to increase by 29 to 400. Granum school enrollment is projected to continues to decline to 31.15, down from 43.5. Nanton is a community where enrollment is projected to decline to a total of 374 students, from 389.5. A.B. Daley school is to have 174 students, down 14.5 from 188.5. J.T. Foster school is to have 200 students, down one from the present year. Stavely school enrollment is projected to be 17 students, an increase of two. In Claresholm, enrollment is projected to increase a total of 16.6 students to 651. That total includes 303 students at West Meadow school and 348 at Willow Creek Composite. Pincher Creek schools are projecting an enrollment increase of three students. Canyon school will have 214 students, down four from the present year, while Matthew Halton will have 276, an increase of seven students. Enrollment at Livingstone school in Lundbreck is forecast to increase by 10 students to 259. Crowsnest Pass schools are projecting enrollment to increase by 24.5 students to 624. Horace Allen school’s enrollment will increase by 7.5 students to 168. Isabelle Sellon school’s enrollment will grow by one student to 139. At Crowsnest Consolidated, enrollment will increase by 16 students to 316. The number of students at outreach schools is forecast to increase by 17 to 58. Colony schools are forecasting an increase of 11.5
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students to 249. The number of international students is forecast to increase by five to 40. “It’s exciting to see another year where it’s looking like we’re going to have growth,” school board chair Lacey Poytress said. Trustees approve school year calendars
School will start after the Labour Day long weekend in September for the next two years in Livingstone Range School Division. Associate superintendent Richard Feller said that was a popular request from both staff and parents. “Fortunately for the next two years that is totally possible,” Feller said. The first day of school is Sept. 5 for the 2023-’24 term, and Sept. 3 for the 2024-’25 term. Feller presented the 2023-’24 and 2024-’25 draft school year calendars at the Feb. 27 school board meeting at the G.R. Davis Administration Building in Fort Macleod. Feller reported on the feedback gathered prior to calendars being created, as well as Alberta Education’s requirements for a school year. Feller told trustees there were 327 responses to the calendar feedback survey. “We take this information and we use it to make any kind of changes we can to reflect what our stakeholders and our staff and our board need in order to fulfil the obligations of Alberta Education’s requirements,” Feller said. The calendar has a fixed starting date of Aug. 28 and a fixed end date of June 27 in 2023-’24. Eight site-based days are set for planning and collaboration. Cont’d on page 15
14 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, March 8, 2023
THE
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An Eternal Memory Those special memories of you will always bring a smile if only I could have you back for just a little while Then we could sit and talk again just like we used to do you always meant so very much and always will do too The fact that you’re no longer here will always cause me pain but you’re forever in my heart until we meet again
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TED ZIAJKA
December 8, 1943 – February 24, 2023 Ted passed away peacefully at Kelowna General Hospital at the age of 79 on 24th February 2023 following a brain bleed on 18th February. Ted was surrounded by family and an outpouring of love and well wishes in his final days. Born in Coleman, Alberta on 8th December 1943, Tadeusz Michael was the youngest of five children for Michael Ziajka and Mary Simla. Ted was predeceased by his parents and siblings Annie, Joseph and Helen and is survived by his sister Josephine Virginia of Calgary. In 1966, Ted met Phyllis Spence Gray who became his wife in 1968 they were married for almost 55 years. Ted will be deeply missed by his wife, his daughters, Sheelah Carlyn Ziajka of Istanbul, Turkey and Jennifer Sarah Nelson of Osoyoos, BC and his grandson Tariq Alexander Ziajka of Istanbul who currently resides with him and Phyllis in Osoyoos. Ted is predeceased by his youngest grandson Callum Marcus Michael Ziajka and son-in-law Brian Wade Nelson. A Celebration of Life will be held for Ted in July when his oldest daughter, Sheelah, joins the family in Canada for his grandson’s high school graduation. In lieu of flowers the family asks for you to make a donation is Ted’s memory to JoeAnna’s House in Kelowna where families are able to remain close to their loved ones during treatments and traumatic circumstances at Kelowna General Hospital. https://joeannashouse.com/give/ Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www. nunes-pottinger.com
JOSEPH KENNETH DOUGLAS
July 20, 1939 – February 27, 2023 With great sadness we announce that after a very short illness, Joseph Kenneth Douglas passed away on February 27, 2023 at the Foothills Hospital, Calgary, AB. He was blessed with eighty-three years of a full and wonderful life. Ken was born on July 20, 1939 in Wapella, SK to loving parents, Joseph and Irene Douglas. Along with his siblings, he was raised to treasure family and friends, to work hard, and to appreciate the simple life. Ken was an avid outdoorsman, and upon his retirement to the Crowsnest Pass, AB, he spent countless hours touring the backcountry by bike, horse and motorcycle. He also cherished time spent with his loved ones and socializing with friends. Never one to complain and always ready to lend a helping hand, Ken will be forever remembered with love and respect. Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life include his long-time companion, Jean James of Coleman, AB; his sons, Ian Douglas of Regina, SK and Neil (Kimberley) Douglas of Vibank, SK; his grandchildren, Jeremy Douglas, Travis Douglas, Melanie Leonhardt and Kayla Hoecherl; as well as his extended family and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Irene Douglas; his brothers, James and John; and his sisters, Helen, Hazel, Effie and Joyce. A private family memorial service will be held in Saskatchewan at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by Diabetes Canada (www.diabetes.ca). Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca. Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 15
School update cont’d Alberta Education requires Grades 1-9 to have access to at least 950 hours of instruction during a school year. Alberta Education requires Grades 10-12 students to have access to at least 1,000 hours of instruction. The school calendar is to include at least one divisional development day organized by the professional development committee. The calendar also lists the six diploma and achievement exam dates. The calendar includes a winter break with non-instructional days from Dec. 22 to Jan. 8. Also included in the calendar is a spring break from March 29 to April 7. Feller said there are opportunities for individual schools to make minor modifications to the calendar, with approval from the superintendent. The calendar presented by Feller had the fall break scheduled for Nov. 6-10. Feller told trustees there is a desire from the schools to change the fall break to run from Nov. 13-17. Feller said moving the break allows more time for Remembrance Day activities and observations, which would otherwise have to happen Nov. 3. That week is composed of a non-operational day, an interschool collaboration day, two divisional professional development days and one school-based professional development day. Feller said a major reason for the week-long break is that it is difficult to find substitute teachers to cover teachers attending needed professional development sessions. “These days allow us to have staff training,” Feller said. “There’s less interruption during the year for students who might have a sub coming in.” The 2023-’24 calendar had 180 instructional days and 198 operational days. The 2024-’25 calendar has 181 instructional days and 197 operational days. Key dates in the 2023-’24 calendar are as follows: First day of school for staff — Aug. 28. First day of school for students — Sept. 5. Fall break — Nov. 13-17. Last day of school before Christmas break — Dec. 22. First day of school following Christmas break — Jan. 8, 2024. Diploma exams — Jan. 10-12; Jan. 19, Jan. 22-26; Jan. 29-30, June 11-14, June 17-20 June 24-26. Provincial achievement tests — Jan. 17, Jan. 19, Jan, 23-26, May 13; May 15; June 18-20; June 24-26 Spring break — March 29-April 7. Last day of school — June 27. Pursuits offers flexibility in Livingstone Range
Flexibility is key in meeting the needs of every student, every day in Livingstone Range School Division. Pursuits program principal Tara Tanner told trustees last week how Livingstone Range’s virtual school has 506 full- and part-time students this year. “That is a lot of kids who are really being touched and connected through our virtual programming,” Tanner said. Tanner was at the Feb. 27 school board meeting at the G.R. Davis Administration Building in Fort Macleod to provide an update. Tanner told trustees the virtual school is offering 101 different courses to students in Grade 7-12. Five full-time teaching staff members lead the courses along with Tanner, who as principal has a parttime teaching load. Seventy-three full-time students attend virtual school. “Obviously, this is probably our biggest program,” Tanner said. In-person help is provided by teachers at J.T. Foster school in Nanton and Willow Creek Composite in
Claresholm in the north, and at Crowsnest Consolidated and Livingstone school in the west. The teachers are half-time at the schools. “On the days they are there they have students coming to them, working with them on on-line content,” Tanner said. “That person is the key contact for them.” There are three full-time support staff working at the Gateway and Crossroads outreach schools. There is also a half-time administrative assistant. As of Feb. 8 there were 126 students enrolled fulltime in Pursuits, including 73 in virtual school, 17 at Gateway and 36 at Crossroads. There are another 380 part-time students who have chosen to take one or more courses through the virtual school. Of the virtual school students, 22 per cent are from Willow Creek Composite; 20 per cent from F.P. Walshe; 18 per cent from J.T. Foster; 18 per cent from outreach or full-time virtual school; 11 per cent from Crowsnest Consolidated; six per cent from Livingstone and five per cent from Matthew Halton. Sixty-nine per cent of students completed their virtual school courses, compared to an average of 50 per cent completion for Alberta distance learning courses. “I’m pretty excited that we were able to get almost 70 per cent of them through these courses,” Tanner said. Tanner credited the teachers for helping students have such success. Each teacher taught an average of eight courses, with each teacher responsible for an average of 96 students. Each teacher provides in-person supports to an average of 36 students. Tanner told trustees of the innovative Shakespeare Slam led by teacher Kirby Dietz for 30-1 students who have to study Hamlet. Dietz brought 14 students together for an overnight, immersive weekend of Hamlet at the PEAKS campus in the Crowsnest Pass. Students went through Hamlet, watched a related movie, had a campfire and marshmallow roast and did some hiking. “They were able to blow through a lot of content in a really meaningful and substantial way that weekend,” Tanner said. Virtual school also offers “one day wonders” at Crossroads outreach school, in which students can earn option credits in foods and baking, consumerism, outdoor survival, sewing and recreation leadership. “Excitement and culture-building has really been building throughout the year as we have been piloting this new program with them,” Tanner said. Career practitioner Cristy Bazell brought the new virtual reality career gear to Crossroads so virtual students could try it out. Virtual school also held its first grad ceremony last June. Pursuits also oversees home school students, diploma prep courses, summer school and place-based and pre-employment programming. Trustees thanked Tanner for the report and the work that is being done. “Students are appreciative of the ability to have a choice on how they can better themselves in their education,” trustee Lori Hodges said. “I love to see how much this has grown and how kids are understanding they can control of where they want to go.” Trustees finalize school closure policy
Livingstone Range School Board has a new policy on school reconfigurations, modernizations and closures. Trustees gave third and final reading to Policy 16 during the Feb. 27 school board meeting at the G.R. Davis Administration Building in Fort Macleod “It was big changes and a major rewrite,” school board chair Lacey Poytress said. “We appreciate the work the policy committee put into this.” Policy 16 received first reading in November and was then circulated among school councils across Liv-
ingstone Range for comment. Policy committee chair Clara Yagos recommended third and final reading of Policy 16 during the Feb. 27 meeting. “Unless there are some changes that have been brought up by school councils, I haven’t got any changes myself,” Yagos said. The school board last fall tasked its policy committee with updating the existing policy. The school board reviewed similar policies used by school boards around the province. The result of the committee’s work was an entirely new policy. The new policy states the board supports the education of students within their community but school or program closures can be considered in the interests of effectiveness and efficiency of instruction. Policy 16 states the board may: • Close a school permanently or for a specified period of time. • Transfer students from one school building to one or more other school buildings on a permanent basis. The policy also states when considering the closure of a school and/or the transferring of students the board shall: • Raise the matter through a motion at a regular meeting of the board. • In writing, notify the parents of every child and student enrolled in the school who may be affected by the closure of the school or the transfer of students. The policy outlines what information will be shared, including the board’s long-range capital plan; busing; implications for other schools; and the educational and financial impact of closing the school. The notice may set out the following: • The capital needs of other schools that may have increased enrollment as a result of the closure. • The possible uses of the school building or space in the school building if the entire school is to be closed. • In writing, notify any other persons, municipality or community organization who may be significantly affected. The board is to convene a public meeting as part of the process. The policy directs the board to consider future growth or decline in student enrollment when making a decision to close a school or transfer students. Policy 16 requires the school board to decide by motion whether to close a school and/or transfer students. Trustees revise board representatives policy
Livingstone Range School Board last week updated one of its policies. Trustees approved recommended changes to Board Policy 10 during their Feb. 27 meeting at the G.R. Davis Administration Building in Fort Macleod. Policy 10 deals with trustee representatives on external boards and committees. Livingstone Range receives requests from outside organizations to have a trustee appointed to facilitate the exchange of information and develop agreements. Policy committee chair Clara Yagos explained one of the key changes to Policy 10 is to strike a reporting requirement. Livingstone Range representatives will no long be required to report to the school board following committee meetings. Those reports will be part of the school board’s consent agenda. Trustees also approved some wording changes regarding the Alberta School Boards Association Zone 6 representative. The other organizations covered by Policy 10 include the Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Alliance; the Livingstone Range Wisdom and Guidance Council; Livingstone Ski Academy Society; Pincher Creek Community Early Learning Centre; and Community as a Classroom, School as a Base Camp.
16 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, March 8, 2023
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RRSP vs TFSA BLAIR NYROSE Nyrose & Alexander LLP So you went to your financial advisor to purchase your RRSP for 2022 and they asked “Do you want an RRSP or a TFSA?” Your initial response was “A TFSwhat?!” A Tax Free Savings Account, or TFSA, is another vehicle the government has legislated to help Canadians save some money for a rainy day or retirement. The TFSA differs from an RRSP in that we contribute after-tax dollars to the TFSA, while we contrib-ute our pre-tax dollars to RRSPs. The money grows in a TFSA tax free, and we are not taxed when we withdraw the funds. Contributions to an RRSP allow for a tax-deferral in the year of contribu-tion and are taxed when we withdraw the funds. It may seem like the TFSA is a better deal as we get our money out tax-free, and we do not pay tax on the growth. However, it depends on the income tax bracket you are in when you make the contribution versus the income tax bracket you will be in when you withdraw the funds. We gen-erally assume that in retirement, we will require less money and therefore, will be in a lower tax bracket. If your income is $50,000 per year or lower, you will be indifferent as to whether to invest in a TFSA or RRSP. This is because you will pay income tax at the rate of 25% on money coming out of an RRSP or you pay 25% income tax on earnings before you contribute to a TFSA. The potential tax saving occurs if you contribute to an RRSP when your earnings are above $50,000, which you will be taxed at anywhere from 30% to 48%, and you subsequently cash in the RRSP when in the lower bracket of 25%. You should have your financial advisor do some retirement projections for you as to avoid cashing in your RRSPs when in a tax bracket that is higher than when you made the contribution. If you withdraw money from a TFSA in a year and you have made the maximum contributions, you are not allowed to make contributions until the next year. You are, however, allowed to put funds back into your TFSA in subsequent years. If you withdraw money from a TFSA in a year, you are not allowed to make contributions until the next year. You are allowed to put funds back into your TFSA in subsequent years. As you can see the RRSP vs TFSA question is not a simple one. It is best to discuss with your accountant or financial advisor what is best for you.
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