AMA Insider - Winter 2023

• Roll into winter with vital vehicle advice

• Helping kids benefit from the power of play

• AMA celebrates 1 million members!

WINTER 2023 INSIDER AMA

BERMUDA BOUND

DIVE INTO THE STORIED HISTORY OF THIS ISLAND GEM

ADIOS BOOTS. HOLA FLIP FLOPS.

TURN VACATION MODE ON RIGHT AWAY.

When you book travel with AMA, you’re booking with trusted experts that have worlds of experience. With that kind of confidence, you can slide into vacation mode right away.

ROAD MAP

WINTER 2023

A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT

MEMBER LETTERS

RADAR

Travel, arts, culture, local hot spots and more.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE?

Meet Edmonton chef Daniel Costa.

CREATURE COMFORT

Finding ethical animal attractions that preserve and protect wildlife.

COVERED OR NOT?

How to evaluate the benefits of an extended vehicle warranty.

THE GOOD PLACE

Alberta’s Bear Valley Rescue is a labour of love and a peaceful refuge for horses.

GOOD TO GO

Food scientist Filiz Koksel’s research on plant-based meat options addresses the challenges of climate change and food insecurity.

GAME ON

Three organizations working to ensure that Canadian kids benefit from the power of play.

ROLLING INTO WINTER

How to prepare your vehicle for winter’s unique challenges.

THE SCOOP FEATURES

THE BEST OF BERMUDA

Pink sand beaches and verdant gardens make this archipelago the gem of the mid-Atlantic.

TRAVEL GOALS

A father and son make winning memories on a footie-focused trip to London.

WINTER WISE

Winter driving safety, holiday essentials, how to make the most of the season and more. Plus, AMA member updates, helpful resources and what’s coming next.

Your passion for Canada’s natural spaces defines your life; now it can define your legacy. With a gift in your Will to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, no matter the size, you can help protect our most vulnerable habitats and the wildlife that live there. For today, for tomorrow and for generations to come. Order your Free Legacy Information Booklet today! Call Jackie at 1-877-231-3552 x2275 or visit

A Million Reasons to Celebrate

WHEN AMA GOT ITS START IN 1926, we had just 2,131 members in Edmonton and Calgary. Motoring was in its infancy as much as the Association was, but that didn’t diminish our founding members’ enthusiasm to make Alberta a better place for everyone.

Today, nearly a century later, that same passion has helped us achieve an incredible new milestone: AMA now counts a million members as part of our membership family. To have that kind of scope and connection is truly remarkable—especially when I think about our humble beginnings.

After weathering the Great Depression and World War II, AMA had grown to a modest 21,000 members by the mid-1940s. As the province rebounded, so too did our membership numbers, with the club hitting the 100,000-mark in 1957—and doubling that feat just seven years later.

By our 75th anniversary in 2001, we counted more than 600,000 members as part of the club—more than a third of Alberta households at the time. And as of September 2023, thanks to the trust you’ve placed in us, we’re a million strong across the province.

When I think about the power of a million members, I think about the collective impact we can make in our communities—the ability to create meaningful changes in the places where we all live and work.

Imagine, for example, if each one of us did just one small thing to make Alberta a better place. Gather donations for the food bank. Shovel a senior’s sidewalk. Pick up a piece of garbage. A million little actions that add up to big, beautiful change.

With that in mind, we’re doing something special to mark this milestone. We’re launching the AMA Community Foundation, which will fund initiatives around food security, climate good, childhood safety and traffic safety in Alberta. Because we believe businesses do well by doing good.

A million strong, our membership community has the power to create meaningful, sustainable change in the places where we each live and work. The AMA

Community Foundation is a way to support issues that make Alberta stronger for the members of tomorrow—just as AMA’s own founding members looked after us by committing to protecting our natural environment as far back as 1934.

Michelle Chimko President and CEO Alberta Motor Association

To kick things off, the Foundation will help support a new AMA Garden Studio project. The province-wide initiative provides teachers with the tools and expertise required to create schoolbased gardens. These experiential learning spaces will help kids better appreciate the origins of food, life cycle of plants, and critical role of pollinators.

And that’s just the beginning—as is our million-member milestone. We know we have a lot to live up to. We need to be worthy of your trust every single day and never falter in our mission to protect what matters most to you.

Because I believe that AMA is more than a business. More than a membership card. It’s a feeling of being connected and belonging. Of making Alberta better. Of making people’s lives better.

And of really being there for our members…all one million of you. AMA

CENTENNIALS ALL AROUND

I’ve been an AMA member since 1992, and AMA’s 100th anniversary has reminded me that I’m also anticipating a 100th anniversary of my own with my 1926 Ford Model T. All my life, I’ve heard stories about this perfect Model T another family kept stored away at the shop. In 2006, I talked to the family who agreed to sell it—but only to someone who would keep it original, which I did. The vehicle is still in its original condition and has been in our province for its entire lifetime. I drive it short distances in my area and at special events, and it still runs perfectly.

–Stan R.

A SINCERE THANK YOU

My family and I have relied on AMA for over 50 years. We have been fortunate not to have needed emergency assistance very often, but when we did, we received excellent service in a timely manner. It was always a great comfort knowing AMA would be there when we needed them. We were so delighted to receive our Honorary Lifetime Membership at the beginning of 2023—we didn’t even know that was possible! Thank you very much for the recognition.

–Marilyn and George S.

RIGHT VERSUS LEFT

In the fall 2023 issue, I noticed an error that describes where to position a vehicle when in trouble. The piece “Stranded but Safe” (p. 47) has the operator pulling over onto the left shoulder. In Canada, we drive on the right side of the roadways; therefore, the operator should pull over onto the right. Despite this, the fall issue was a great read and I now have more insight into electric vehicles. Great magazine—keep up the good work.

–Harvey C.

You’re absolutely right, Harvey. Drivers should ideally pull over to the right shoulder of the road in a breakdown. Our piece noted that if you must use the left, you should take extra care to move as far away from traffic as possible. However, we should’ve been clear that the right side, in most cases, is safest. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

–AMA Insider

Feel the Heat

Take the plunge into nature’s own hot tubs

By Claudia Laroye

COLD OUTSIDE? All the more reason to luxuriate in a soothing reservoir of warm mineral-laced waters! Take the plunge into these five remarkable hot springs in Canada and around the world.

BANFF UPPER HOT SPRINGS, ALBERTA

Canada’s most historic hot springs offer mineral-rich geothermal waters along with splendid views of Bow Valley and Mount Rundle. The bathhouse is a federal heritage building with interpretive signage highlighting the history of the springs. AMA members save 15% on admission.

LIARD RIVER HOT SPRINGS, B.C.

The second-largest natural hot springs in Canada is just off the Alaska Highway in northern British Columbia. This hot pool, which ranges in temperature from 420C to 520C, is surrounded by a frosty white boreal forest. A boardwalk leads to the pool, passing through a warmwater swamp that supports diverse plants and local wildlife.

BLUE LAGOON, ICELAND

The bright milky blue of Iceland’s renowned Blue Lagoon contrasts with the stark black volcanic landscape in Grindavík, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík. Steam rises from the 370C–400C blend of heated saltwater and freshwater—a mineral-rich by-product of the nearby geothermal power plant.

PAMUKKALE, TÜRKIYE

Known for its brilliant white travertine marble pools brimming with striking blue thermal waters, Pamukkale (Turkish for “cotton castle”) is one of the country’s most popular destinations. The barefoot-only terraced pools are a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Cleopatra’s Pool, a.k.a. the Antique Pool, you’ll find Doric columns that tumbled into the water as a result of an earthquake in the 7th century. Allegedly, this is where Cleopatra liked to take a relaxing dip.

AQUA DOME SPA, AUSTRIA

Alpine wellness prevails at the Aqua Dome Spa, about an hour’s drive from Innsbruck. The site features 12 thermal baths and 7 saunas with a full relaxation menu underneath a crystal-faceted glass dome, and, outdoors, spectacular views of the Ötztal Alps. There’s also a kid-friendly area with a cascade waterfall and water slides.

AMA Travel can help you escape winter. Book your adventure with amatravel.ca today.

The terraced pools at Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were allegedly favoured by Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt.

PHOTOGRAPH: PRMUSTAFA/ i STOCK

THE LOCALER

Marielle Terhart

PLUS-SIZE FASHION INFLUENCER Marielle Terhart wants people to stop buying clothing. Well, at least not so much of it.

Terhart also persuades manufacturers of ethically made, environmentally sustainable clothes to add plus sizes to their collections. Then, through her website and articles for vogue.com, she helps plus-sized women find those clothes.

The Edmonton fashionista and AMA member, who has more than 98,000 Instagram followers, is passionate about improving conditions for garment workers and reducing the industry’s environmental impact. An inherent problem is woven into the fabric of the rag trade itself—styles keep changing. Cheap, mass-produced “fast fashion” has accelerated that trend. “The majority of clothing is worn less than six times,” notes Terhart, “which is not sustainable.”

She concedes that ethical, sustainable clothing costs more. Her solution? Buy less and wear what you have longer. Along with other tips on her Instagram channel, she advocates “learning how to purchase things that go with what you already have” and dodging the whims of fashion by developing a “unique, distinct style.”

Using her social media reach, Marielle Terhart offers guidelines on how to be stylish and ethical at the same time.

Nominate a Localer. We’d love to hear about people doing great things in your community. Send ideas to AMAInsider@ama.ab.ca and they could be featured in an upcoming issue.

THE ONE

Wed’ze Tray Sled

The whole family can take turns on this versatile sled, designed with adults in mind. It’s decked out with steering handles that double as brakes to ensure a safe stop at the end of an ultimate fun ride. Who says sledding is just for kids?

• supports one adult plus one child or two (up to a total weight of 100 kg)

• compatible with the Trilugik Babies’ Sledge Seat

Hop on. Earn 10% back in AMA reward dollars® with online purchases at Decathlon.

Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo

A CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE with dazzling acrobatics, charming comedy and lively music… Sounds like the Cirque is in town. Montreal’s iconic Cirque du Soleil (cirquedusoleil.com) brings Corteo to Edmonton’s Rogers Place (Dec. 27–31), transporting audiences into the vividly imagined dream of Mauro the Clown.

–Kate Rae

It wouldn’t be a Cirque de Soleil spectacle if someone didn’t fly (or float) away.

The long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum opens early 2024.

Three to See

The Bridge Collection Museum

Porto, Portugal

Montreal’s iconic Cirque du Soleil brings Corteo to Edmonton’s Rogers Place

Fittingly located near the city of Porto, home of the famous sweet wine, The Bridge Collection Museum explores the history of the tradition of drinking and its role in society over the past 9,000-plus years. On weekends, guests can participate in an immersive “escape room” game. Your mission: An artifact is missing and your team of researchers is charged with its recovery. You have 60 minutes.

The Punk Rock Museum

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Punk Rock Museum chronicles the rebels of rock ’n’ roll with memorabilia covering the genre’s instigators (Iggy Pop and the Stooges, Ramones, Sex Pistols) through its mainstream hit-makers (Blondie, Devo, Green Day, The Offspring). Canadian bands are well represented, too, from Newfoundland’s satirical Da Slyme (who, this year, released their first album in more than 20 years) to B.C.’s garage rockers The Smugglers (led by Grant Lawrence, host of CBC Music’s Top 20 and Searchlight).

Grand Egyptian Museum

Cairo, Egypt

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) houses the largest archaeological museum complex in the world with more than 100,000 artifacts, including the complete collection of King Tut’s treasures. Construction began in 2005 and the museum is currently offering limited “trial” visits. It is slated to officially open in early 2024. –Staff

Light Up Your Winter

’Tis the season for sparkling light shows across Canada

AS WINTER PAINTS Canada in dreamy white, the country responds with a vibrant palette of light. From coast to coast, glittering light festivals blanket frosty landscapes, creating a winter wonderland filled with magical experiences for all ages.

ALBERTA Glow Holiday Festival of Lights

Alberta decks the halls in style. The Glow Festival of Lights in Edmonton (Dec. 1–Jan. 1) and Calgary (Dec. 7–31) is a Christmas-themed indoor extravaganza spanning approximately 90,000 square feet featuring millions of twinkling lights, lively music, festive food and a bustling market teeming with local crafts.

SASKATCHEWAN Enchanted Forest

Located in the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo, the Enchanted Forest (Nov. 18–Jan. 7) features one of the longest-running drive-through light shows in the country. Now in its 25th year, the fantastical-themed landscape boasts dozens of stunning custom displays, including a mesmerizing take on Noah’s Ark that’s 70 feet high and 160 feet in length.

MANITOBA Canad Inns Winter Wonderland

In Winnipeg, the Canad Inns Winter Wonderland (Dec. 1–Jan. 6) is a festive tour-de-force. More than a dazzling light show, the event features horse-drawn sleigh rides, a skating rink and food trucks offering delectable treats.

NIAGARA Winter Festival of Lights

Niagara Falls’ Winter Festival of Lights (Nov. 12–Feb. 20) is Canada’s largest free outdoor light extravaganza. The American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls become the canvas for vibrant light displays and fireworks, creating a memorable spectacle that mirrors the awe-inspiring power of nature.

ONTARIO Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest

Canada’s Wonderland, just north of Toronto, transforms into WinterFest (on select dates, Nov. 17–Jan. 7)—a haven resplendent in holiday cheer. This year’s event features skating on Snow Flake Lake, live shows and hundreds of beautifully decorated Christmas trees throughout the theme park.

NOVA SCOTIA Evergreen Bright

A wintertime celebration of Nova Scotian hospitality, Evergreen Bright (Nov. 24–Dec. 17) is all aglow with installations along the Halifax waterfront and throughout downtown Halifax and Dartmouth. Visitors can stroll through the light-strewn paths, enjoy live performances and stop by vendors set up in cozy wooden chalets offering warming beverages and delicious local food.

–Claire Sibonney

What Songs Do You Road Trip to, Drew Gregory? PLAYLIST

HAILING FROM Standard, Alberta (population, 350), award-winning country singer-songwriter Drew Gregory is a little sentimental when it comes to his road-tripping playlist. “We did a lot of camping as kids. And I always go back to the stuff we listened to on those road trips,” he says, “a lot of mellow stuff that still has great energy, often driven by a jamming acoustic guitar.”

Hasn’t Hit Me Yet Blue Rodeo

Big League

Tom Cochrane

Something to Live For Barney Bentall and The Legendary Hearts

Lookin’ Out My Back Door

CCR

Start Me Up

The Rolling Stones

The Boys of Summer

Don Henley

Under the Bridge

Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Heads Carolina, Tails California

Jo Dee Messina

John Deere Green

Joe Diffie

Running on Empty Jackson Browne

Songs may not be appropriate for everyone. Listener discretion is advised.

Surf’s Up

Experience the delight of winter surfing all across Canada

By Briony Smith

ANTONIO LENNERT was destined for the sea.

After a childhood spent surfing the beaches of his native Brazil, he moved to California, where he found a cool camaraderie with fellow surf enthusiasts. Even a move northward to Canada couldn’t keep him from the waves for long.

Lennert co-founded Surf the Greats, a surf and coffee shop in Toronto that aims to cultivate community among surfers—experienced and beginner alike—and promote the joys of surfing on the Great Lakes and beyond.

Canada certainly has an abundance of exciting surf spots and, perhaps best of all, many can be enjoyed year-round—even in winter.

Here, Lennert shares his recommendations for the best winter-surfing spots across Canada.

WOODBINE BEACH

Lake Ontario, Toronto

“Situated along Lake Ontario’s shores, Woodbine Beach offers relatively smaller waves along its sandy bottom shoreline, making it a reliable location for winter surfing. And there’s a striking juxtaposition of Toronto’s skyline against the vast expanse of Lake Ontario.”

Best for beginners: “The often-gentler wave patterns make it particularly suitable for beginners. Here, novice surfers can learn the ropes without being overwhelmed, and there are always other surfers around.”

Visit nearby: “After a surf session, pop by our shop in Leslieville. Woodbine Beach offers one of Toronto’s most captivating sunrises.”

COX BAY BEACH

Tofino, Vancouver Island, B.C.

“The area offers consistent swells, especially during the winter months. This Pacific Northwest paradise is an amalgamation of dense rainforests, rugged coastlines and misty shores. The mist

hanging over the towering cedars as waves crash onto the rocky shores presents an ethereal winter wonderland for surfers.”

Best for intermediate surfers: “The waves at Cox Bay Beach can go from very chill to powerful, depending on the swell, making it an ideal spot for intermediate surfers.”

Visit nearby: “Check out Storm Surf Shop for all your local surfing needs. Post-surf, head to Tacofino for the best tacos in town and grab a pint at the Tofino Brewery.”

LAWRENCETOWN BEACH

Nova Scotia

“Lawrencetown Beach is exposed to the open Atlantic, ensuring powerful swells and challenging wave conditions, especially during hurricane season and the winter, when the North Atlantic storms roll in. The raw power of the Atlantic is palpable here, with the waves crashing against the rocks and creating a mesmerizing spectacle.”

Best for advanced surfers: “The challenging wave conditions demand a certain level of expertise, making Lawrencetown Beach a haven for more advanced surfers.”

Visit nearby: “After an unforgettable surf session, head to one of the quaint towns nearby for some classic Maritime hospitality. The picturesque landscapes surrounding the area, especially during sunrise, provide photographers with countless opportunities to capture Nova Scotia’s raw beauty.”

Canada certainly has an abundance of exciting surf spots and, perhaps best of all, many can be enjoyed year-round

PHOTOGRAPHS: (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF MIKE PALMER ; COURTESY OF SAM MOFFATT

Lennert catches a wave on Lake Ontario.

Surfing aficionado Antonio Lennert prepares to take on Georgian Bay.

Explore the world of beef.

Persian Beef Kabobs

Get this recipe of mine and many more at World Cuisine, part of the Canadian Beef Information Gateway Explore my Middle Eastern culinary heritage – with beef. Tara Omidvar @madeofsugarandsaffron

World Cuisine on the Canadian Beef Information Gateway, celebrates Canada’s diverse culinary influences. Ten global cuisines are featured, all using Canadian beef, with unique recipes and videos developed by guest content creators. The Gateway is all things beef, with cooking know-how information for over 70 cuts of beef – each with a set of recipes and matching videos. Check out World Cuisine at scan.cdnbeef.ca. Get it. Bookmark it.

What’s Your Favourite...?

Chef and restaurateur Daniel Costa on keeping it simple—and not wasting bites

By Sean Deasy

casually meeting up with friends for a glass of wine in the evening, and they always have their kids with them. That really appeals to me.

What do you always do while travelling? I really research where I want to eat. I hate the idea of wasting bites on a trip. I also write a lot—I can really focus on jotting things down as I’m processing and thinking.

Alberta winters can be long. How do you embrace the season?

I generally hunker down and work as hard as I can, and I try to stay active. I play pickleball with a few guys, which keeps everything upbeat. I also watch a ton of films and read.

What’s your perfect day, anywhere in the world?

DANIEL COSTA HAS AN APPETITE FOR BEING BUSY.

The Edmonton-based chef, whose family hails from Campania, in Southern Italy, is passionate about preserving the everevolving traditions of Italian cuisine. When Costa isn’t helming one of his eateries along Jasper Avenue—Bar Bricco and Uccellino—he’s likely in Italy devouring regional culinary knowledge (and clams). In the midst of preparing for the opening of his next Edmonton restaurant concept, Costa took a breather to dish on a few of his favourite things.

Where do you like to take visitors to Edmonton?

I usually start at my own place, Bar Bricco, where we’ll have cocktails and snacks. Then on to places like Clementine or Bündok. If it’s Friday or Saturday, we’ll end the night at The Bower, a small hidden club. They play great music, have good cocktails, and it’s a great vibe.

What culinary lessons have you learned from visiting Italy? How important it is to not complicate a dish. Always source the best possible ingredients and allow them to shine, and remove anything that masks what you’re trying to showcase.

Where else have you recently enjoyed visiting?

I really love the scene in Paris—hopping into different wine bars, standing outside with a drink and a snack. You’ll see parents

I feel very fortunate that I get to wake up every morning inspired

It would definitely be in Southern Italy on the Mediterranean Sea. I would wake up with my wife, eat a ton of fresh fruit and go to the beach. Eat a lot of spaghetti with clams with some good cold local white wine. Go home, put the kids to bed, watch a great film with my wife. That’s perfection.

What does it mean to bring the food you love to the people of Edmonton? I feel very fortunate that I get to wake up every morning inspired. To be able to express what I love and believe in—it’s a reward, and I’m very lucky I’m able to do it. I definitely don’t look at it as a job. AMA

The Bower, Costa’s club of choice, offers bespoke cocktails, DJs and dancing.

(Above) Chef and AMA member Daniel Costa; (inset) a culinary offering at Uccellino, Costa’s trattoria in Edmonton.

Direct flights to the world’s best Aurora.

Long, dark nights in wild landscapes with no light pollution. Arid climates and minimal cloud cover that provide crystal-clear views of the cosmos. A prime location under the auroral oval—the thin band around the Earth where the most intense Northern Lights activity occurs. Experienced guides who know precisely where to go for intimate, life-changing Aurora experiences. Put all that together and it’s clear why the Northwest Territories is the best place in the world to see the Northern Lights.

With direct flights from Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, getting to the light show has never been easier.

Creature Comfort

How to choose an ethical animal attraction that preserves and protects wildlife

By Vawn Himmelsbach

Illustration by Guilherme Henrique

IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS, the chance to see them up close may seem like a dream vacation opportunity. But do some research first.

There’s no shortage of exotic animal encounters being offered to entice travellers. Around 110 million people visit wildlife attractions each year, according to World Animal Protection, a global non-profit animal advocate, but it also notes that 75 percent of these venues have a negative impact on wild animals. Often, animals have been snatched out of their natural habitat to become “props” for tourists, which can cause long-term harm.

“Many wild animals that are used for the tourism industry have endured severe trauma, like being removed from the mother at an early age, facing inhumane training methods and cosmetic alterations [such as] removal of teeth or claws,” says Michèle Hamers, wildlife campaign manager for World Animal Protection Canada.

Animals in captivity can’t engage in natural behaviours, often leading to boredom, frustration and stress, warns Hamers. That translates into abnormal behaviours, from pacing and self-harm—such as plucking out their own hair or feathers—to unnatural aggressiveness. “Other impacts are less visible, like PTSD and depression,” she points out.

Unfortunately, there is no globally recognized body—nor any formal standards or certifications—that people can turn to for determining if a wildlife experience is ethical. However, they can watch out for these red flags suggested by World Animal Protection.

• Avoid venues where you can touch, hug, feed, take a selfie or closely interact with a wild animal.

• If a “sanctuary” sells, breeds or makes animals perform tricks, it’s not an ethical operation.

• Be skeptical if operators “guarantee” an encounter with animals in the wild, which could mean animals are baited. “Labels like ‘sanctuary’ and ‘rescue centre’ can be used by anyone, so people cannot rely on such descriptions,” notes Hamers. The same red flags apply to wildlife voluntourism.

World Animal Protection provides tips on its website (worldanimalprotection.ca/take-action/animal-friendlytravel-tips) to help people determine if animals’ basic needs are being met by the operator or venue.

Several groups are establishing volunteer or independent certifications to guide animal lovers looking for ethical ways to interact with wild animals. Whale Sense (whalesense.org) —sponsored by Whale and Dolphin Conservation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—assists visitors to find whale-watching companies committed to responsible practices. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries—which has accredited more than 200 sanctuaries, rescue facilities and rehabilitation centres—enables visitors to its website (sanctuaryfederation.org) to search by animal and region. And the World Wildlife Fund has teamed up with Natural Habitat Adventures on 90-plus conservation-based itineraries, searchable on its website (nathab.com).

While you might not get close enough for a selfie, the magic of an encounter with happy, healthy animals in their natural habitat is, after all, hard to beat. AMA

An AMA Travel counsellor can help you book trustworthy local attractions for your next vacation. Visit amatravel.ca to learn more.

SPONSORED BREAK THE ICE

Get your vehicle winter-ready with WeatherTech®

By Alexis Ramlall

Set yourself up for success on the road this season and prepare your car before the snow falls.

Tires

All-season tires are no match for Canadian winters. Winter tires, made with a specially formulated rubber composition to stay soft and pliable in freezing temperatures provide the right amount of traction, braking and handling with their tread depth and pattern grooves so you can take on the icy roads and slippery slush.

Windshield Wipers

Visibility on the road is important all-year round, but especially in winter when dark, cloudy or snowy conditions are common. Once your wiper blades start to create streaks on your windshield, it’s time to replace them.

Batteries and Charging System

Low temperatures can impact your vehicle’s battery, while heaters and defrosters put stress on the charging system. Avoid needing a boost this winter by getting both inspected.

Interior Protection

FLOORLINER™

CARGO LINER

When winter is all said and done, cleaning your vehicle’s carpets can be a tough task. Investing in quality floor protection can lighten the load by preventing road salt stains and potential mold growth caused by soaked carpets. Protect the floor of your vehicle with the laser measured WeatherTech® FloorLiner™ or FloorLiner™ HP.

Made from a durable high-density material, the FloorLiner™ is compatible with the vehicle’s existing floor mat retention hooks. It also features channels that redirect ice, slush and melted snow into a lower reservoir, minimizing fluid movement and keeping your boots dry. The FloorLiner™ HP offers the same features and protection as the original FloorLiner™, but it’s made from a softer rubber-like material and includes antiskid nibs on the bottom to help further minimize movement. The Cargo Liner offers similar protection to your trunk’s interior, and features a textured finish to keep cargo from shifting.

All FloorLiners and Cargo Liners are lasermeasured to give you the perfect fit and have a lifetime warranty to protect your car’s interior carpet through even the harshest of weather conditions.

Ready for Winter? Prepare your car for the season and visit WeatherTech.ca to find your fit.

FLOORLINER™ HP

Covered or not?

Evaluating the benefits and costs of an extended warranty

DO YOU NEED an extended warranty on your new vehicle?

The short answer is: it depends. The important thing is to enter the conversation knowing the sales person will offer it, and understanding whether your needs make it a good investment or not.

“Just know it’s coming, so be prepared for the conversation when it does,” advises Ryan Peterson, manager of automotive services for the CAA Club Group. He’s well acquainted with the inner workings of car dealerships, having spent more than 20 years as an employee at various dealers in both service and management roles before joining CAA.

These days, drivers may be more inclined to consider the extended warranty—many people are keeping their vehicles longer, and with older vehicles comes fear of expensive repairs.

But when deciding whether to opt in, first make sure to consider that every new vehicle has a factory warranty included in the price. Extended warranties can provide longer-term coverage and can be optionally offered from the manufacturer or from third parties. However, be sure to read through that extended coverage carefully: for example, check if you need to have your vehicle regularly serviced, or serviced by the dealer, to meet the warranty requirements. Additionally, in some cases, the cost of making repairs as they are needed may not be equal to the price of the extended warranty.

So, what’s a car buyer to do? Peterson’s advice: “If you’re a person that’s fearful or worried about a big expensive repair, then maybe the mental calmness an extended warranty would bring is worth the money. Or, if you can’t afford that sudden unexpected repair, then buy the factory extended warranty.” For everyone else, make sure to weigh out whether extended warranties are worth the cost. AMA

CAN THE DEALER CHANGE THE VEHICLE PRICE AFTER WE’VE AGREED ON IT?

In rare circumstances, yes, the dealer can change the price of a vehicle even after a contract is signed (make sure you read the fine print). If, for example, a manufacturer stops building a certain trim level, a dealer may have to substitute a higher-end trim at a higher price. In that case, the buyer could back out and get the deposit back. But if there is no good reason for the sudden price hike, buyers should contact the manufacturer and the provincial regulator to report the dealer’s improper behaviour.

Buying a vehicle? Visit ama.ab.ca/auto/buying-selling for advice and resources to help you make the right choices.

The Best of Bermuda

Explore some the many highlights that draw travellers to this luxurious gem in the mid-Atlantic

By Vivian Vassos

WHEN I RECALL BERMUDA, I always think pink—the pink sand beaches, candy-floss-coloured houses and verdant gardens dotted with roses and fuchsias growing so close to the roadside that you can roll down the car window and almost touch them. I have rosy memories of all my trips to Britain’s oldest overseas territory.

Bermuda was one of the first places I visited, solo, years ago, and I always feel safe there. On my second trip, I learned how to mix cocktails with the region’s famous rum (more on that later). I then returned to sail around these coral islands on a catamaran. This year, I took time to dig a little deeper and learn more about Bermuda’s origins. And there’s always more to bring me back.

People may speak of Bermuda as if it’s one island, but, in fact, it’s an archipelago of strung-together islands, islets and other tiny rocks that span roughly 56 square kilometres. It may be small, but it’s rich in culture, with a prosperous economy, complex history and lively arts community.

Here are some of my favourite things to see and do on—as locals lovingly call it—“The Rock.”

(Opposite page) Bermuda’s famous pink sands; (above) Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, a.k.a. the Pink Palace.

HIT THE LINKS

Bermuda is a golfer’s heaven with seven world-class courses, including the awardwinning Port Royal, designed by the inimitable golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The PGA’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship tees off here in November. Most courses are public or run by hotels such as Tuckers Point Golf Club at the Rosewood or Turtle Hill at the Fairmont Southampton. All seven courses have spectacular ocean views and are open year-round.

CLIMB A LIGHTHOUSE

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, among the oldest of cast-iron lighthouses on the planet, still beams out into the Atlantic, as it has been doing since 1846. If you’re feeling fit, climb the 185 steps to the top and take in the views of the South Shore, Little Sound, the Royal Naval Dockyard and the skyline of Hamilton, Bermuda’s capital.

Insider tip: The little door at the top leads to an outdoor walking platform with a 360-degree view.

LIVE ARTFULLY

Splurge and book a stay at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club. This Fairmont-managed property—known locally as the Pink Palace—has been a mainstay in Bermuda since 1885. Mark Twain lounged on the veranda and held autograph signings in the hotel. Now, the Hamilton Princess includes an impressive gallery space with a collection of more than 300 pieces by some of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art. Visitors can get up close to major works by Warhol, Picasso, Koons, Kusama, Weiwei and Banksy.

Insider tip: A local gallerist leads a hotel art tour by request.

DINE AT AN INTRIGUING SPOT

After taking the art tour at the Pink Palace, head to its newly opened restaurant, Intrepid. This steak-and-seafood venue is directed by the deft hand of Antwan Ellis, who honed his craft at Shula’s and Todd English in Orlando. Here, in Bermuda, American grill-meets-raw-bar in an elegant art deco–inspired space. Intrepid was the code name for the Bermuda-based Second World War operative, Sir William Stephenson, a friend of author Sir Ian Fleming and rumoured to be the inspiration for Fleming’s famous character, James Bond.

Bermuda may be small, but it’s rich in culture, with a prosperous economy, complex history and lively arts community

Insider tip: Mid Ocean, consistently voted as one of the world’s best courses, is private but opens a few coveted spots to the public on weekdays. Book a tee time far in advance.

Insider tip: If you order a martini, expect vodka, Lillet and an olive—a variation of Bond’s cocktail in Casino Royale. Shaken, not stirred, of course.

LEARN FROM LOCALS

Enjoy a history lesson via Unchained on the Rock, a new initiative founded by locals Liana Nanang and Ajala Omodele—year-round talks, tours and workshops chronicling Black liberation and resistance. I met them at the Commissioner’s House in the Dockyard, where their guided tour of the National Museum of Bermuda offered the perspective of the African diaspora and enslaved people of West Africa, the West Indies and Indigenous American peoples. Nanang and Omodele read snippets of their poetry as we walked the halls where their ancestors once toiled—

(This page)

Intrepid restaurant, at the Hamilton Princess hotel, features a faceted curve of panoramic windows overlooking Hamilton Harbour.

(Opposite page) A view of the North Atlantic Ocean from atop of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse.

(Opposite page, clockwise from top left) Blue Hole Park, in Walsingham Nature Reserve; the Dark ’n Stormy cocktail mixes dark rum and ginger beer; centuries-old stalactites at Crystal Caves; coral reefs fringing the historic town of St. George are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. (This page) Bermuda’s shallow reef system is easily accessible to snorkellers.

a deeply moving experience that encouraged me to learn more.

Insider tip: Follow the island’s African Diaspora Heritage Trail of more than 50 Sites of Memory, created as part of the UNESCO Slave Route Project, which shares the stories of enslaved people across the globe.

DIVE IN

Bermuda is great for snorkelling and diving yearround. I sailed to a near-perfect snorkelling spot at the Western Blue Cut, where several shipwrecks, caught in the shallow barrier reef, are easily spotted at a depth of less than nine metres.

Insider tip: April is Dive Month in Bermuda, when visibility of the coral reefs and the numerous shipwrecks is considered at its best.

SIP ISLAND RUM

I learned how to stir up a perfect Dark ’n Stormy cocktail with rum and ginger beer at Gosling’s Rum Distillery in Hamilton. According to Gosling’s, the recipe originated at a local ginger beer factory run as a subsidiary of the Royal Navy officers’ club. It’s said the name comes from a fisherman’s observation that the dark drink looks like “the colour of a cloud only a fool or dead man would sail under.”

Insider tip: Bermuda’s other famous cocktail is the Rum Swizzle—you’ll find different versions of this rum-and-citrus drink across the island, but I

recommend the one that claims to be the original, at The Swizzle Inn Pub.

TAKE IN THE LANDSCAPE

Walsingham Nature Reserve is sort of a one-stop shop to take in Bermuda’s most dazzling views. Blue-pooled grottos offer plenty of snorkelling and swimming options, and the hiking trails abound with flora and fauna. The famous Crystal Caves, with their luminous stalactites dripping above groves of stalagmites, provide a breathtaking respite from the heat of the day.

Insider tip: Rent a bike and tour the island at your own pace along the 29 kilometres of accessible trails of the Bermuda Railway Trail National Park. Tourists are not allowed to rent cars on the island, but rental electric mini-cars and scooters are available. Taxis and public transport are well organized and easily accessible. AMA

VIVIAN VASSOS is a lifestyle writer and editor with more than 25 years of experience in magazine and newspaper journalism. Her work has appeared in Traveller, The Globe and Mail, ZOOMER Magazine and Travelweek.

Book the ultimate winter getaway with an AMA Travel counsellor. Visit amatravel.ca to learn more.

Travel Goals

A father and son make winning memories on a footie-focused trip to London

By Michael Bettencourt

AS OUR CAR FROM Heathrow Airport approached the busy Wembley district of northwest London, my 16-year-old son, Adrian, and I watched the impressive 133-metre archway of Wembley Stadium come into view. I felt a tingle of anticipation for the historic football match we had come all the way from Toronto to see— Manchester City versus Manchester United, two teams that have dominated English football for the past 30 years, in the highly anticipated final game of the 2023 Football Association (FA) Challenge Cup.

This father-and-son trip was a promise I had made to Adrian during one of our many weekend mornings spent together watching English football (it’s rarely called soccer in our household). His older brother, Julian—a passionate fan who’s now pursuing a sports media career in university—and I had previously enjoyed a similar footie-focused trip to England, so it felt like a rite of passage for Adrian to experience a game at one of the meccas of international football.

I’m sure we were not the only Canadian family making the trip. Catching a football match has long been a popular activity for visitors to England, and attendance was already on the upswing pre-pandemic. The number of tourists

who attended a match increased from 900,000 in 2011 to 1.5 million in 2019, according to a VisitBritain report. The popularity of soccer is increasing in North America, likely fuelled by hit shows Ted Lasso and Welcome to Wrexham and Inter Miami’s acquisition of all-time-great Lionel Messi. And fan numbers are bound to grow in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

We were lucky to have scored tickets to this sold-out game, the first time in the FA Cup’s 151-year history that rivals City and Man U were facing off in the final. It’s also Wembley’s 100th anniversary year—the massive 90,000-seat stadium was built in 1923 to support England’s intense passion for football.

The day before the game, Adrian and I checked out some of London’s many other famous soccer sights, eschewing more customary attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus. Emirates Stadium in central London was our first stop—home of the Arsenal football club—where we toured the field, dressing rooms, Directors Box, home dugout and the museum and trophy room.

Next, we headed to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, the city’s newest Premier League stadium where visitors can don a harness to walk across

a transparent platform at the top of the stadium, overlooking London and the pitch below. Adventurous fans can also opt to be lowered 42 metres to the pitch. Stamford Bridge was our last stop. Home to Chelsea FC, one of London’s biggest teams, this historical club offers one of the most popular stadium tours in Europe where fans can tour the museum and take pictures next to the pitch.

On game day, we set out early as advised. Local transport officials recommended separate routes for City and United fans travelling from Manchester to London—not just to reduce road congestion but to prevent flare-ups between rival fans at rest stops along the way. Team loyalties burn deep and span generations in England. Although Manchester United once dominated the English Premier League, their last win was in 2013. Revered Man U coach Sir Alex Ferguson called City their annoying “noisy neighbours,” when City started winning regularly, and the moniker stuck as they continued to rack up titles in England— including Europe’s coveted Champions League title in 2023. Excitement—and tensions—were clearly high for this match as we were about to find out.

“We can’t let you in dressed like that,” said the security guard, gesturing at my son’s bright red Manchester United scarf

(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) COURTESY OF MICHAEL BETTENCOURT; YURI TURKOV/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; DANIEL HAMBURY/STELLA PICTURES LTD; HORST FRIEDRICHS/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; COURTESY OF MICHAEL BETTENCOURT

(Clockwise from top) The 2023 Football Association Cup final game at Wembley Stadium; Chelsea artifacts on display at Stamford Bridge; views of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium from the Dare Skywalk; Arsenal’s home dressing room in Emirates Stadium; Michael and Adrian kitted out in rivalling team colours outside Wembley Stadium.

and matching jester cap. It stood out beside the blue of my Manchester City jersey—and the blue gear worn by almost everyone else on that side of Wembley.

At home in Canada, a father-and-son duo dressed to support rival soccer teams can usually sit together with nothing more than a few disapproving glances. But in England, “Red Devils” and “Sky Blues” are separated by vacant stadium sections and teams of security guards. Luckily, Wembley Stadium has a whole outdoor shopping mall. With my son kitted out in a brand-new grey sweatshirt, we were successfully admitted on try number two.

Once we reached our section, the deafening chants and drums of the Man City fans rang in our ears. Blue-andwhite flags waved around us. Thankfully, we reached our seats well before kickoff because City scored their first goal within 12 seconds of the opening whistle, as fans in our section leapt out of their seats. Later, when Man U scored their one and only goal, Adrian resisted cheering and opted for a subtle leg-squeeze instead. But it made the experience no less fun for him. The mood was exuberant, especially when Man City scored the winning goal.

After the game, I asked a security guard if my son could have a United flag. A manager retrieved one from the opposite end of the field but advised us to hide it under our City flags.

“Next time, we have to make it to Manchester,” said Adrian as we exited Wembley Stadium. “But we’re going to Old Trafford—and sitting in the red section.”

I don’t know how long this kind of quality time will continue with my younger son. But if the memories created by this trip extend our game time together, that’s a real win for both of us. AMA

MICHAEL BETTENCOURT has been a journalist for more than 20 years. He is co-author of a book on electric vehicles in Canada, to be published in 2024.

MORE GOTTA-SEE FOOTBALL STOPS IN ENGLAND

Manchester

Two major global soccer powerhouse teams are located a 12-minute drive apart in Manchester. Fans can visit Man U’s iconic Old Trafford grounds and, in contrast, the city’s gleamingly new Etihad Stadium. Both offer tours, but Manchester City includes a virtual press conference with a hologram of its manager, Pep Guardiola.

Liverpool

Fierce Man U rivals, the Liverpool Football Club plays at Anfield Stadium. Tours take you past Liverpool’s famous “This is Anfield” sign and offer fans the chance to try a penalty kick or commentate on a big play. Hardcore football fans can also visit the nearby Goodison Park before Everton FC’s oldest pro stadium is closed for redevelopment.

Richmond

Ted Lasso may feature a fictional AFC Richmond team but was filmed in the real London suburb of Richmond, where fans frequent landmarks such as The Crown & Anchor pub (The Prince’s Head in real life) and Ted’s nearby charming pedestrian street (called Paved Court). Various walking tours are available, though Selhurst Park (used for most of the show’s stadium shots) is in the London Borough of Croydon.

Book your next European getaway with an AMA Travel counsellor. Visit amatravel.ca to learn more.

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Game On

Three organizations that are working hard to ensure Canadian kids benefit from the power of play

By Claire Sibonney

O(Above) Children playing double ball, a traditional Indigenous game, at a Spirit North community event. (Opposite page, from top) KidSport Canada CEO Greg Ingalls, left, and Nate Challen, general manager of Sanofi Consumer Health Canada; Fast and Female’s annual Girl’s Run in Canmore, Alta.

RGANIZED PHYSICAL activities are so much more than just fun and games. They help children get exercise, make friends, learn teamwork and improve self-esteem and mental health. Yet, according to the latest ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, participation in organized sports programs is at its lowest level in nearly a decade.

Many kids in Canada miss out on sports because of financial hardship, gender and racial barriers and lack of access to sports leagues or school programs. That’s where not-for-profit organizations pick up the ball. These inspiring charities work hard to ensure that kids aren’t left sitting on the sidelines.

FAST AND FEMALE

Research shows that 94 percent of women who hold top management positions are former athletes. Sports teach collaboration and help girls build the confidence to become leaders. Yet, by the age of 16, one in three girls who play sports drop out, compared with one out of 10 boys the same age.

Fast and Female is a Canadian charity that partners with local organizations to keep girls in the game. It runs workshops across Canada for a wide range of sports, from cheer and running to wheelchair basketball. In Dartmouth, for example, Fast and Female paired up with the Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club for a Champ Chats event, which connected girls with women athletes and role models for a panel discussion, yoga session and physical activity circuit. And, at Hardwood Ski and Bike in Oro-Medonte, Ont., girls attended a Power Hour workshop, activity and inspirational chat with local role models. The event was followed by an optional trail ride with the group.

“Role models are at the heart of what we do,” says Gabriela Estrada, executive director of Fast and Female. The group’s mentors include gold-medal professional athletes, as well as doctors, firefighters, nurses and teachers, she notes, all geared to empower girls through sport and physical activity.

SPIRIT NORTH

In the Nordic skiing world, Beckie Scott of Vermilion, Alta., made history as the first North American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in cross-country. In recent years, the three-time Olympian, anti-doping advocate and Officer of the Order of Canada has shifted her attention to helping others succeed. In 2009, Scott established Spirit North, a national charitable organization that uses sports and physical activities to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous youth. She was inspired to create the non-profit after a stint as an ambassador for a small ski program in northern Alberta where all the participants were First Nation and Métis. Scott saw how even such a short visit could impact children by inspiring them through sports. But it wasn’t enough. “Hearing, at the end of the day, ‘When are you coming back?’ was a heartbreaker because you recognize that this is one of the only opportunities they get, and it’s so unfair,” says Scott. “We have this entire population of people living on the margins of society who just don’t have the same access [to sports].”

Reaching 13,000 Indigenous youth in 105 communities across Canada, Spirit North’s activities range from canoeing in Alberta to snowshoeing in Manitoba to hiking in Saskatchewan. Spirit North also teams up with elders, family members and local educators in various communities to host festival days for kids. Currently, about half of the program’s coaches are Indigenous and the goal is to double that with the help of the organization’s mentorship and training programs.

KIDSPORT CANADA

KidSport Canada provides lower-income families with financial assistance for sport registration fees and equipment costs. Currently, it raises about $9 million annually to help 40,000 children per year by funding opportunities for more than 80 different sports.

“Sport is something that all kids should have access to because it teaches lessons that will make them better people,” says KidSport Canada’s CEO, Greg Ingalls. “Some of those athletes end up becoming Olympians or professional athletes. That’s awesome. But we’re more concerned about creating solid citizens through sport.”

Sport is something that all kids should have access to because it teaches lessons that will make them better people

Since 1993, KidSport has helped nearly one million Canadian children experience the joy of organized sports. One of those kids was Yembeh Moiba, who, at age 6, emigrated from Sierra Leone to Alberta with his mom and five siblings. With the help of KidSport, he earned a football scholarship to the University of Alberta, where he graduated as a chartered accountant. Now Moiba volunteers as the treasurer for KidSport Alberta. “[Using] sport as a social development tool, providing opportunities for kids,” says Ingalls, “those are the things we’re most proud of.” AMA

CLAIRE SIBONNEY is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in National Geographic, Self, Teen Vogue, InStyle and other publications. She also teaches journalism at Centennial College.

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Horse Grace

Alberta’s Bear Valley Rescue is a labour of love and a peaceful refuge for horses

By Kate Rae | Photograph by Colin Way

THE SMALL TOWN OF SUNDRE is just an hour northwest of Calgary, on the Cowboy Trail that runs along the foothills of the Rockies. It’s a rugged landscape, bisected by the Red Deer River and surrounded by pristine wilderness. It’s also the long-time home of Bear Valley Rescue, a 40-acre horse sanctuary run by AMA members Mike and Kathy Bartley.

The couple, who’ve been married for 45 years, had always talked about getting into homesteading—“or something,” says Kathy. “But horse rescue just kind of crept up on us.”

Twenty years after buying their first horses at auction to save them from slaughter, the Bartleys are still at it, determined to save as many horses as they can. These days, most of their current rescues are the result of owner surrenders.

“We get a lot of calls—somebody’s passed away, or somebody’s going into a home,” says Kathy. “There are a lot of aging rural people around here who are selling their farms and moving into town.”

Others surrender their horses because of the high cost of ownership, an issue that Bear Valley faces, too. On average, the Bartleys face about $5,000 a month in vet bills, and hay can get expensive. “Last year, hay was 10-and-a-half cents a pound,” Kathy notes. “It doesn’t sound like that much, but when you have 100 horses each eating 20 to 30 pounds a day…”

To help offset costs, many Bear Valley horses are available for adoption, while others are available to be sponsored, or “virtually fostered”—after all, not everyone has space for a horse at home. Still others are fostered by Bear Valley’s nearby community of supporters.

Mike and Kathy’s days are long, and finding volunteers to help is tricky, given their remote location, especially in winter. Fortunately, a succession plan is now in place. Several years ago, a young woman from France arrived to gain work experience

Mike and Kathy Bartley began rescuing horses in 2004. Now, some 20 years later, they remain committed to their cause.

on the farm. She ended up marrying their son, Peter. “Astrid is like my retirement,” Kathy says of her daughter-in-law. “She’s taken over a lot, which has been really, really helpful.”

To help offset costs, many Bear Valley horses are available for adoption

These days, the Bear Valley website (bearvalleyab.org) is filled with profiles of all the horses that have passed through its gates, a testament to the family’s tenacity and passion for their work. And no matter how bleak the circumstances were that brought the horses into their care, one thing remains the same—the Bartleys’ tireless commitment to give all of Bear Valley’s residents a peaceful, healthy, happy life on the pasture. AMA

Is there an organization in your community that people need to know about?

Contact us at amainsider@ama.ab.ca. We’d love to hear about it!

Rolling into Winter

How to make sure your vehicle is ready for the chilly season

By Benjamin Yong

Illustrations by Jason Ford

WINTER PRESENTS ITS OWN UNIQUE set of challenges when it comes to the safety and security of your vehicle’s occupants, as well as the protection and maintenance of the vehicle itself. And because weather conditions can shift suddenly in wintertime, being prepared is paramount.

As for winterizing your vehicle, the most important thing is regular maintenance year-round, according to Matt Boles, AMA’s manager of fleet operations. “If you follow your owner’s manual regularly, you need not worry about the seasons. And if you haven’t had the car checked out thoroughly by a mechanic in a year or more, go do it!”

How you prepare for winter depends on your driving habits and weather conditions. If you hardly leave the city, you won’t need to plan the same way as someone who drives 1,000 kilometres cross country. But either way, don’t allow winter to catch you by surprise.

PRE-WINTER PREP

Ensure that your vehicle is in top shape and will make it through the winter without leaving you stranded.

“Have your mechanic put your vehicle up on the hoist, pull the wheels off and check the brakes, suspension, belts, hoses and fluids,” says Boles. “You want to catch problems now because components, as they wear, become more brittle when the mercury drops.”

Mechanics designated by AMA’s Approved Auto Repair Services™ (AARS) program perform a 139-point inspection and road test and provide a comprehensive report. Or ask your trusted mechanic to do a thorough mechanical inspection ranking the urgency of repairs.

Rustproofing is a good idea to protect against salt damage. Try to get this done before winter sets in. Treating your vehicle in advance allows the rustproofing product to settle into the crevices and seams where corrosion initially builds up.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

A regular visual once-over is one of the best ways to catch an issue before it becomes a problem—you can actually do this every day before you drive out. This is important yearround and even more so in winter.

“Keep your eyes open for little things, like a leak on the driveway when you’re pulling out,” says Boles. “It’s the same thing with tires. When you walk up to the car, be mindful of whether one tire looks low in pressure compared to the other tires. Look for any kind of cracking or cuts that can often happen from sidewall damage due to potholes.”

Boles suggests changing your wipers once a year. That way, you won’t have to deal with a sudden malfunction at an inopportune time. If you regularly drive in extreme ice-andsnow conditions, consider winter wipers, which are made with sturdier frames and thicker rubber.

Check fluid levels at least every two months, year-round, and have on hand a bottle of windshield cleaner rated for extreme cold.

AMA Mobile Tire Change

Did you know that AMA Mobile Tire Change provides an at-home wheel-change service for members, seven days a week? Visit ama.ab.ca/tirechange for details.

TIRE CARE

Winter tires will stop your car up to 40 percent sooner than all-season tires

Because tires lose about one psi of pressure for every 5°C drop, make it a habit to measure pressure frequently— including the spare tire. Be careful not to over- or underinflate, which can cause premature wear and negatively impact performance.

Winter tires will stop your car up to 40 percent sooner than all-season tires and improve handling. Look for the threepeak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on the sidewall indicating the tire passed specific medium-packedsnowtesting standards.

When considering what tires to buy, Boles advises making sure the load and speed rating matches the manufacturer’s specs. “Never go under that. You can go above, but you can’t go below. It’s especially important with an EV.” Electric vehicles tend to be much heavier and produce high, instant torque, so the rubber has to be able to meet the tougher demands.

BATTERY CARE

Have your battery checked to ensure it’s operating at full capacity, especially if it’s more than three years old. When the temperature is below approximately –20°C, battery voltage drops significantly. If your local temperature is regularly below –15˚C or thereabouts, consider a block heater, says Boles. It will warm the engine and oil, so the battery doesn’t have to work as hard at start-up. (If you already have a block heater, make sure the cord is in good shape and, while in storage over the summer, hasn’t been chewed by rodents.)

An EV’s battery pack exhibits similarly decreased output in cold environments (for more information on this, see page 37). When the vehicle is plugged in, activating the preconditioning function (if available) heats the battery, allowing it to operate more efficiently, and results in decreased range loss. This preconditioning will also bring the vehicle’s interior to a comfortable temperature and result in less strain on the battery.

Members receive nocharge battery testing. Visit ama.ab.ca/battery for details.

A block heater warms the engine and oil, so the battery doesn’t have to work as hard at start-up

AMA Battery Service

SAFETY ON BOARD

Being ready for any scenario is critical, says Ken Klatchuk, manager of automotive business delivery for AMA.

“Stocking your vehicle with winter gear and essentials ahead of time goes a long way in ensuring that no matter what you encounter, you are prepared.”

Boles keeps a winter safety box in his garage, ready to put in the back of his vehicle each season. What you pack in your box will be determined by how far you are travelling and the types of roads you will be travelling on, as well as their level of remoteness. “If you run out of gas, you’re going to get very cold very fast,” he warns. “And we at AMA will do everything imaginable to get to you as fast as possible, but if it’s minus 40, there may be delays. You need to make sure you’re safe.”

Here’s what to pack in your vehicle’s winter safety box.

Basic items

• snow brush, ice scraper and shovel

• vehicle owner’s manual

• AMA Roadside Assistance contact information

• windshield fluid (extreme-cold-rated)

• cables and/or booster pack

Emergency essentials

• first aid kit

• lighter and/or matches

• p encil and notebook

• flashlight with extra batteries

• drinking water and food (protein bars, etc.)

• flares, warning triangles or reflectors

Extreme-emergency items

• p ower bank and cords for charging phones

• hand-crank radio and hand-crank charger

• sle eping bag(s), blanket, boots, hats, mittens (for each passenger)

• mini camp stove (high-tech canister system)

• tarp or cardboard to lay on ice/snow while changing a tire or working outside the vehicle AMA

SNOW, ICE AND EVs

Real-world conditions reveal cold facts about EV battery range

Twice a year, the world’s largest EV range test is conducted jointly by the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) and the digital automotive Motor Magazine (motor.no). Their most recent winter evaluation took place over two days in February 2023 with 29 of the most recent EV models. Each vehicle was driven up to 110 km/h on the same test route—a mix of city, mountain and highway roads. Temperatures ranged between 0˚C and –10°C.

None of the vehicles met the advertised range parameters. In Europe, these are determined using the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP)—a global standard that measures the levels of pollutants, CO2 emissions and the fuel consumption of traditional and hybrid cars, as well as fully electric vehicles.

In the following chart, STOP indicates the distance each EV travelled before running out of power.

With battery technology continuing to advance, these numbers should continue to improve. However, some range or power loss will always be a given if you drive in colder regions. Still, EVs have a built-in advantage over gas-powered engines, Boles points out. “Even at minus 50, an EV still works. You have almost instant heat, and it always works. You just lose some range.”

Keep up to speed with AMA’s EV Life podcast. Hear from the experts on all things EV, including an episode featuring the Norwegian Auto Federation. ama.ab.ca/EVLife

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THE SCOOP

Helping you get ready for winter is a priority for everyone at AMA. On the following pages, you’ll discover how to keep yourself, your belongings and your family safe this season. And you’ll find some essential reminders to help you out on the road, at home and around the world.

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Safe Holiday Shopping

How to protect yourself and your valuables

AS THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING season approaches, it’s important to take precautions to safeguard personal belongings and information whether you’re close to home or away. Here are a few tips on how to protect yourself.

At home

• One in four Canadians have been the victim of porch pirates, according to a FedEx survey conducted last year. Where possible, ask a trusted friend or family member to drop by and receive an expected package, or opt for shipto-store instead.

• Install a smart camera or integrated doorbell camera at the front door and set the device to alert your phone when activity is detected. Many products on the market also save recorded footage in the cloud, so users can review later on.

• Be mindful of leaving evidence of purchases out by the curb for garbage or recycling collection—try to break down and conceal packaging identifying contents from prying eyes. Shopping

• Avoid leaving shopping bags in an unattended vehicle. If you have to do so for a short time, put them in the trunk.

• Exercise caution browsing unfamiliar retail websites. Check to

see if the URL begins with https, which indicates the page encrypts your transmitted data, rather than the unsecured http. When creating a new account, don’t choose a previously used password.

• Some credit cards offer purchase protection against lost or stolen merchandise and may be able to help you recoup the cost of swiped gifts

Insurance

• Keep a detailed inventory of valuables in the house to track what needs replacing in case you must make a claim. Remember to keep the list updated as holiday gifts are added. Taking photos and/or videos of each room can help with documentation as well.

• Let your insurance company know about any expensive items to ensure your policy offers sufficient coverage.

Visit ama.ab.ca/insurance/property to get a quote or learn more.

Lock It Up

Advice on how to prevent vehicle theft |

By Briony Smith

VEHICLE THEFT IS ON THE RISE IN ALBERTA. In 2022, 20,725 motor vehicles were reported stolen in the province—a one-year increase of 16.6%. Alberta has the second-highest rate of auto theft in Canada, and nearly one-quarter of all thefts from vehicles in Canada happen in Alberta. “These aren’t just statistics,” says Dominic Schamuhn, AMA’s manager of advocacy. “It means that tens of thousands of Albertans are impacted by these crimes, and have to manage through the consequences.”

Sadly, becoming the victim of theft is a reality for more and more Albertans. The numbers are alarming: 57 vehicles are stolen and there are 95 thefts from vehicles every day across the province.

There’s plenty you can do to keep your vehicle and belongings safe. Here, AMA has tips on how to prevent theft during the holidays—and year-round.

Lock it or lose it

Always, always lock your car. There are no excuses: even if the store isn’t far away or you’re only popping in for a minute; even if, perhaps, there aren’t many people around or you just want to warm up your car. Always remove the key or key fob, close all windows and lock all doors when leaving your vehicle unattended.

Start the 9 p.m. routine

Commit to making time for safety every day. “Every night, make sure you’ve removed your valuables from your vehicle, locked the doors and, if possible, parked in a locked garage,” Schamuhn says. If 9 p.m. doesn’t work for you, pick a time that does—it can be earlier or later—so you can stick to it, every day, until it’s a part of your nightly routine. The reality is that many crimes happen overnight, when we’re in our homes and thieves are on the lookout.

Don’t leave personal documents in your vehicle

Never store identification, insurance or registration documents in the vehicle, says Schamuhn. “Not only are they important documents for you to have

on-hand, if they’re stolen they can be used to commit identity fraud and theft.”

Add extra safety features to your vehicle

Installing an alarm system or using a steering-wheel club can boost your protection even more. And if you want to get into a warm vehicle, don’t leave your keys in a running vehicle—purchase a remote starter.

“It sometimes feels like the solutions are too simple to be effective, but using a club or purchasing a remote starter are meaningful ways to protect yourself,” Schamuhn says.

Safeguard your gifts

Remember, an item that might be deemed expensive makes it desirable. Simply removing your gifts and valuables can be a strong deterrent to thieves, who are often on the hunt for an easy target. And if you can’t remove them, put them in the trunk out of sight. “In our busy lives it can be easy to forget to remove all valuables from your vehicle,” Schamuhn says. “But the reality is it takes just a moment for a thief to strike, so don’t leave anything in sight of a thief.”

Protect Your Catalytic Converter

TO SUPPORT the work of Alberta’s law enforcement agencies, AMA teamed up with Kal Tire to address the issue of catalytic converter theft. The Tag Your Cat program offers catalytic converter engraving, during which your vehicle identification number (VIN) will be engraved on your converter. “Catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise across Alberta, impacting everyone from small family farms to folks living in our downtown cores,” says Dominic Schamuhn, AMA’s manager of advocacy.

An AMA survey found that nine in 10 Albertans are aware of the increase in catalytic converter theft— but that only three in 10 think it could happen to them. “This is concerning because the reality is that nearly every vehicle is a potential target for thieves,” Schamuhn says.

Kal Tire offered this service at cost ($40 for most vehicles) and AMA members get a 5% discount on the service. “Local law enforcement has told us this is an important tool in their fight against thieves and organized crime, as an engraved converter makes it possible for them to trace and identify stolen property,” Schamuhn says.

The program runs in Kal Tire’s off-season months. Visit ama.ab.ca/ TagYourCat for details and availability.

OUR HISTORY IS your story.

Since 1926, AMA has helped members protect the things that matter most.

From patrolling crosswalks to rescuing Albertans at the roadside, we’ve been a part of many life stories.

And, as we get closer to turning 100, we’d like to invite you to be a part of the celebration.

Email us at ama100@ama.ab.ca with any AMA memorabilia (or memories) you’d like to share to help us celebrate our 100th anniversary. Because your story is an important part of our history.

The Fight for Flights

How Alberta airports—big and small—stand up to winter storms

By Briony Smith

WHEN YOU’RE GETTING READY for a flight, there’s little worse than inclement weather threatening to get in the way of your plans. Winter-storm delays may feel a little chaotic, but, in fact, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes at the airport to ensure travellers get on their way.

Here, two airport experts—Lethbridge Airport operations manager Trevor Deeley and Calgary Airport Authority vice-president of operations and infrastructure Chris Miles—offer a glimpse of how their respective teams keep winter travel running as smoothly as possible, even when Mother Nature has other plans.

PRE-GAME

Planning for winter weather never stops, even over the summer months, according to Deeley in Lethbridge. Preventive maintenance and repairs on all the airport’s snow-clearing equipment is completed to ensure that they’re ready to go for the following winter.

The Calgary Airport Authority hires additional seasonal staff—more than doubling the number of employees by September—to operate specialized airport equipment and snow sweepers, according to Miles. They also store food and water around the airport in strategic locations, so it can be distributed to guests in the unlikely event that they cannot leave their location for an extended period.

Once winter hits, monitoring the weather is one of the most important things that the Lethbridge Airport staff does every day. “When there is even the slightest potential for winter storm activity, we ensure that extra staff are put on standby to assist the already scheduled staff with whatever Old Man Winter throws our way,” Deeley says.

SECURITY

Security staff often do double duty during a winter storm. “On top of their security duties, our Airport Terminal Agents keep walkways clear and sanded during active weather and are always ready to help in any way they can, from assisting with heavy bags to answering questions that passengers may have,” Deeley says.

BAGGAGE HANDLERS

Baggage handlers make sure their equipment is ready for the weather, Deeley says, and the airport makes sure that the aprons are clear of snow, so they can perform their duties and handle the aircraft for departure or arrival; they also de-ice the aircraft as per airline specifications.

Sometimes, cargo hold doors can be frozen shut during flight and, in extreme cases, cannot be opened in time to offload the bags, Miles says: “Our airline partners work to resolve these types of issues as quickly as possible to limit the impact on the passengers.”

3 Winter Travel Tips from the Experts

Want a little extra support during your winter travels?

Book through AMA. The agency has counsellors available, live, to provide guidance to stranded travellers, according to Nikola Berube, AMA Travel’s director of sales and service.

If you’re stranded in an airport due to a winter storm, Berube recommends consulting the Air Passenger Protection Regulations right away. This charter—which AMA has long advocated for—sets out what you may be entitled to, depending on when and why your flight was delayed or cancelled. You may be able to apply for compensation, according to Berube.

If you have a winter travel delay, Berube says, consult the airline to see if they can accommodate you on another flight. Have travel insurance? Your insurance may reimburse you for the additional cost to get on a different flight, even if it is with a different airline.

Take Care Out There

’Tis the season to be extra mindful of vulnerable road users

AS THE DAYLIGHT HOURS lessen throughout the winter, so too does visibility, particularly with the onset of snow. Here are some tips to follow for the months to come.

Removing distractions

While walking or cycling, even if the street ahead seems quiet, you should always commit full attention to your surroundings rather than looking at your mobile device and/or listening to music through headphones.

“It’s important to remember that you might also encounter ice or other risk factors on your path or at crosswalks. And given the lower light conditions from shorter days, you won’t be as visible to other road users—and they might need more time to react given the conditions,” says Dominic Schamuhn, AMA’s manager of advocacy.

Staying alert

Always make eye contact with other road users, for example, at a crosswalk.

“Eye contact means that you can see them, they’ve acknowledged you, and you know that they have seen you,” says Schamuhn. Another option for pedestrians is physically signalling, using the Point, Pause, Proceed rule of thumb.

Visibility

Drivers should familiarize themselves with their vehicle’s features and settings to avoid becoming a “phantom vehicle,” which is an automobile being operated without the proper exterior lighting activated. In particular, be mindful of the following:

• Automatic headlights only work if you set them on automatic.

• A bright dashboard doesn’t always mean that your headlights and tail lights are on.

• Daytime running lights don’t give you enough light to drive safely in the dark or in bad weather.

Winter Driving Brush-Up

THE SNOW IS CLEARED off your vehicle and you’re on your way. It’s time to remember and apply all the safe winter driving habits you’ve ever learned. Here’s a refresher—just in case—courtesy of the Driver Education team at AMA.

Scan ahead On city streets, drivers should look 12 to 15 seconds ahead—or one city block. On the highway, make that 20 to 30 seconds.

Black-ice watch When temperatures hit between +4°C and -4°C, ice is typically not visible. Slow down.

Ice buildup Always drive according to conditions, and watch for ice build-up at intersections, bridge decks and ramps, in particular.

Speed and spacing Changing road conditions means driving proactively, reducing your speed, and leaving more space between you and the vehicle in front. Use the three-second rule: Begin counting as the rear of the car ahead passes any given check point. If it takes less than three seconds to reach the check point, you’re too close.

Shine on For maximum visibility, turn on your lights and keep them clean.

Easy does it Stay in control of your vehicle by gently braking, steering and accelerating when driving on snow-covered roads.

No cruising Don’t even think about using cruise control, which was designed for ideal (as in summer) road conditions.

Brake smartly Apply pressure on the brake pedal to the point just before wheels lock up. If they start to lock, ease up on the brake slightly and reapply.

Mind the shoulder Drivers must allow extra room on the road for snow plows, tow truck operators, paramedics, firefighters and law enforcement. It’s the law: if you see emergency or roadside vehicles pulled over with their blue and yellow lights flashing, slow down to 60km/h or move to the adjacent lane.

Find your way Check your highway route before leaving the house. Visit roadreports.ama.ab.ca or download the AMA Mobile App before you head out on your travels.

Interested in taking a winter brush-up course? Visit ama.ab.ca/winterdriving

Comprehensive Coverage

Q&A: Selecting AMA Travel Insurance

AMA TRAVEL INSURANCE OFFERS COVERAGE for many travel risks, for people of a variety of ages. And the advantages of “one and done”—buying travel insurance when you book your travel, rather than later—will put you at ease and allow you to focus on your adventures.

1. Do you need coverage for your whole vacation or do you just need emergency medical?

AMA offers packages that include emergency medical, cancellation and interruption, delay, and baggage coverage to protect all aspects of your trip. Or, if you don’t require medical coverage, AMA offers these coverages in a non-medical package or trip cancellation and interruption on its own.

2. What if you have a chronic condition?

With AMA Travel Medical Insurance, pre-existing medical conditions may be covered if they meet the definition of stable prior to departure - which is three or six months depending on your age. Should you have a medical condition that is not stable, pre-existing medical

condition optional coverage can be purchased, reducing the stable requirement to seven days prior to departure.

3. What if you are over 65?

AMA can provide emergency medical coverage to all ages. Should you have a pre-existing condition and it meets the definition of stable, you can purchase coverage for up to 365 days. Be sure to read your policy and ask questions.

4. Are you covered for activities, like zip-lining or snorkelling on a trip?

Check which activities are protected in your plan—AMA plans typically cover excursions like scuba diving, snorkeling, ziplining and even bungee jumping. But if you’re going extreme—like parasailing or skydiving, for example,

certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. And you’ll want to look into other coverage like Personal Accident Insurance.

5. What happens if you get hurt on your trip and need medical care?

Should you need medical care while on your trip, contact AMA Assistance before receiving care. They will verify benefits and direct you to a hospital or other medical provider where direct billing may be available.

Get a quote for travel insurance coverage and find out more about AMA Travel plans at amatravel.ca/ travel-medical-insurance.

The Gift of Driver Education

LEARNING TO DRIVE is one of life’s biggest milestones—and gifting your young family members the skills to be confident and safe behind the wheel is a priceless contribution to their future. That’s why long-time AMA member Marsha Bremner gifted Driver Education lessons to three of her beloved grandchildren as they took their next big step towards independence.

The gravity of that step and her unequivocal love for them meant Bremner sought instruction from the best driving school in Alberta to set the foundation for them to become safe drivers for life.

Bremner, a Northeast Edmonton resident and AMA member since 1980, trusts the organization, which has come to her aid and to the aid of her family many times. She knew she could rely on AMA to show her grandkids Michael, 17, and twins Alex and Joe, 15, the ropes through the New Driver Program.

“I think you need to learn from someone who is professional and is up to date on all the rules of the road, and pays attention to each detail,” says Bremner, who adds that even a caring relative wouldn’t possess the same teaching acumen. Bremner’s son also took an AMA course many years ago, so he would be equipped to handle Alberta winters.

“[Driving] in a blizzard, you’ve got to know how to drive safely,” she says. “It’s a very important thing in Edmonton and all of Alberta.”

After completing either 15 hours of the online course or 18 hours of in-class instruction, the three boys will each spend 10 hours with an instructor in a vehicle—the practical portion of the training where they put their newly acquired knowledge to use. And should they choose to do their in-vehicle lessons during the winter, they will ultimately find navigating better road conditions the rest of the year to be relatively easier.

“To get this for the boys was very, very important,” says Bremner, who feels instrumental in helping set the foundation for her grandkids to be safe drivers for life. “It is a life skill that I could put my money towards for them.”

Aside from the New Driver Program, there are other courses—including the Winter Driving Course, the Road Test Brush-Up Lesson and Demerit Reduction Defensive Driving—all tailored towards different skill levels, ranging from Learner’s License prep to a refresher for seniors.

Visit ama.ab.ca/driving-school for more information and to browse the complete list of offerings.

Play Your Cards Right

How a gift card from AMA can help you save during this holiday season

WITH THE RISING

COST of groceries and everyday items, many Albertans are looking for ways to spend smarter, especially over the holiday season. An easy way to do that is with AMA gift cards, which can help save on holiday dinners, entertaining and gifting. Simply buy a gift card from AMA and receive five percent cash back in reward dollars® in your AMA account. Reward dollars can be used for everything— from your membership and vehicle registration, to movie and attraction passes, to vacations at AMA Travel. You can even use them to buy more gift cards.

Party prep Gift cards can help you cover the cost of groceries for holiday entertaining at stores, including Safeway, Sobeys, FreshCo and IGA. A President’s Choice gift card can be used at grocery stores that sell PC products, including Extra Foods, No Frills and Real Canadian Superstore.

Get ready to wrap Gift cards can also help with other holiday expenses. Indigo gift cards can be used to buy greeting cards, wrapping paper and holiday décor. At Shoppers Drug Mart, a gift card can help tackle any holiday to-do list, with items ranging from beauty products to gift sets.

Unforgettable moments

If you’d rather gift an “experience,” a gift card for The Keg or Earls is a great way to treat friends or family to a night out. There’s also the Ultimate Dining Card, which is valid at a wide selection of restaurants, and showing your AMA membership card when you dine serves up to an additional 10 percent in savings at restaurants like Harvey’s, East Side Mario’s, Swiss Chalet, Original Joe’s and Montana’s BBQ & Bar.

Foolproof gifts

A gift card from Cineplex or The Source makes a great stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift. And for that hard-tobuy-for niece or in-law, the Shopping.ca gift card is redeemable at most stores at Southgate Centre in Edmonton and Cross Iron Mills in Calgary. You can also purchase select digital gift cards, which makes last-minute shopping a breeze.

Learn more at ama.ab.ca/giftcards.

Love to find more ways to save? Join our Cost Cutters community on the AMA Mobile App. This online community is a space for members to share tips on where to find the best deals and offers, so you can save during the holidays and all year long.

GIVE THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON giving.

This holiday season, give the gift of AMA. Help keep your loved ones safe and protected, while they enjoy all the perks of AMA! An AMA gift membership can save them at the side of the road, at stores and restaurants, and on products and services at AMA, like travel and insurance.

Find the membership that suits them best and give them a gift they can enjoy year-round. Plus, purchase a gift membership before December 31st and we’ll waive the registration fee!

GIVE SAVINGS, GIVE REWARDS, GIVE DISCOUNTS!

An AMA gift membership is the gift that keeps on giving.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING, simplified

No matter who’s on your shopping list, we’ve got the perfect gift. With cards that can be used at over 70 brands, there’s something for everyone at AMA. Plus, you’ll earn reward dollars on every purchase! Some of our gift cards are even available to buy online and can be delivered right to your inbox. With AMA, holiday shopping has never been easier (or warmer).

Give the gift of a fun holiday meal, and reload the card for future meal choices.

Send someone on a little getaway to escape the winter blues.

Keep your favourite coffee-lover happy, warm, and caffeinated with a Tims® Gift Cards. Who doesn’t love a night off from cooking and doing the dishes?

Let them order in with Uber Eats.

See all of our gift card options at ama.ab.ca/holiday or choose which membership you’d like to gift at ama.ab.ca/gift.

Forests of the Future

How AMA is helping bolster Alberta’s vital woodlands

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By Briony Smith

CANADA’S BOREAL FOREST covers 348 million hectares. It is at the heart of the country’s environment, history, culture and economy, and its sustenance is crucial. In honour of AMA’s upcoming 100th anniversary in 2026, AMA has partnered with Project Forest, a non-profit focused on rejuvenating local landscapes to rewild non-productive areas of land across Alberta into 100 hectares of new forests.

These will become “forever forests.”

What exactly are “forever forests”? Quite simply, the trees being planted will never turn into a housing development or an industrial park someday. As part of AMA’s first initiative at Project Forest Camp Creek, workers and volunteers have already planted 15,200 trees—the first of an expected 200,000 trees that will grow across those 100 new hectares.

Efforts like these also help restore sacred lands, so that medicinal plants and native species can thrive again through the continued care and practices of First Nation communities.

One key component of the life cycle of a forest is fire, the aftermath of which releases nutrients back into the ground. But, as we vividly recall, wildfires went beyond the forest this year in a catastrophic way across Canada, destroying property and claiming lives.

When a fire burns too hot and too long—even within the parameters of the forest—it also does considerable damage, including the irretrievable loss of the forest’s seed source. “And you actually lose organic soils that have built up since the last ice age,” says Project Forest executive director Mike Toffan.

And that’s where human intervention is needed, says Toffan, not only to protect communities, but the forests as well.

“Without our help, the forest might not come back, and that’s where it’s really important to have forest management and surveys and helping the forest along,” he says, “because these big, huge catastrophic fires did happen, but way less frequently before Western civilization took hold of North America.”

The hard work of forest management continues—and with positive impacts. One mature tree can sequester about 1,300 pounds of carbon in its lifetime. So those 15,200 newly planted trees at Project Forest Camp Creek? They’ll remove roughly 7,394 tonnes of CO2 from the air over the forest’s lifetime.

And that’s worth rooting for.

To learn more, visit ama.ab.ca/foreverforests

BEFORE A COLD SNAP… GET OUR APP.

Don’t get stranded this winter. Download AMA’s app so you can request roadside assistance and track your tow truck in real time.

While you wait, browse and see how everything AMA is right at the tips of your fingers (or your thumbs).

Download today on your Android or iOS device, or visit ama.ab.ca/ama-mobile-app to learn more.

Ear and Now

What you need to know about Noise Induced Hearing Loss

For most, the noises of a roaring crowd, a clamorous work environment and even loud music from headphones are all day-to-day occurrences. However, these facets of daily life can put you at risk for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).

NIHL occurs when the sensory receptors inside the inner ear become damaged, interrupting the signals these receptors send to our brains. While this damage is considered permanent, taking actions to prevent it can make a world of a difference.

The first step to being proactive about your hearing health is knowing the signs and sounds to look out for:

Sounds become muffled, as if you’re underwater

Turning up the TV or radio volume beyond a reasonable level

Increasing difficulty in understanding conversations

The good news is that it’s never been easier to prevent further damage thanks to the sophisticated, innovative hearing solutions from Connect Hearing. Using your AMA membership, you can take advantage of Memberexclusive savings such as five years of free batteries with hearing aid purchase, and up to $2,000 off hearing technology*.

Listen up!

If these symptoms seem all too familiar to you, it’s time to take control of your hearing health and visit Connect Hearing for a free hearing test.

Home Winterization Checklist

OUR HOMES REALLY TAKE THE BRUNT of harsh Alberta winters, and if you’re not careful, it can start to show. The good news: Some simple DIY preventative maintenance before the frost arrives can help avoid any unpleasant surprises throughout the colder months.

 Turn off the valve to outdoor water faucets, and then completely drain water from the hose and outdoor faucet. Water left in the pipes can freeze and potentially cause them to burst, resulting in costly damage and even black mould.

 Clear out leaves from the eavestroughs, so melting snow can drain off the roof and onto the ground, instead of leaking into your home.

 Hire a professional to inspect the furnace and identify issues that could lead to heating failure and compromised indoor air quality, including carbon monoxide leaks.

 Store patio furniture in the garage or use a weather-resistant cover to prolong its life.

 Check your roof and replace any loose or missing shingles to prevent water from seeping into the attic.

 Leaving for more than four days? Your insurance policy may require you to turn off the main water valve and drain the pipes to mitigate freezing, have someone check your home every day, or install a temperature-sensor alarm.

AMA Community Foundation

FOR 25 YEARS, the AMA Foundation for Traffic Safety has funded critical research on traffic safety across the province. Protecting the things that matter most is our commitment to our members, and we know that safer roads mean safer communities for all of us. But we also know there’s more we can do—beyond the road—to look after future generations of Albertans.

Meet the AMA Community Foundation. We’ve renamed the AMA Foundation for Traffic Safety and expanded it to include work in three priority areas in addition to our work in traffic safety—climate good, childhood safety and food security. Alongside our other partners in these spaces, we aim to create the same positive impact for the future of Albertans, as we’ve done with traffic safety. You told us these issues were important to you and we listened.

To start this journey in good stead, we received generous contributions from two former Board Chairs at our 2023 Annual General Meeting—Brian Wilson from Grande Prairie

and John Kong from Calgary. Both have served our Board for many years, representing the needs and interests of members like you, and both appreciated the Foundation’s potential to generate sustainable, positive change.

This is an exciting way for AMA to continue protecting what matters most to our members. From our pollinator program to our commitment to rewild 100 hectares of Alberta forests, from advocacy for children’s well-being—at the crosswalk and beyond—to road safety, we’re passionate about giving back to the province that’s given us all so much. And we’re just getting started.

To learn more or to make a donation, please visit ama.ab.ca/AMACommunityFoundation Every dollar you donate will support work by Albertans, for Albertans.

PHOTOGRAPHS: (FROM LEFT) KATARZYNABIALASIEWICZ/ STOCK; COURTESY OF AMA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

AMA Board Members John Kong (left) and Brian Wilson.

SOMETIMES ROAD CONDITIONS ARE BETTER FOR SKATING.

We get it. We’re Albertans too.

We know what kind of experiences come with the territory. Our 124 local insurance advisors drive the same roads and have likely been in the same situations. They’re here to help.

AMA members save up to 20% on car insurance. Connect with an AMA Insurance expert today. Call 1.800.615.5897 to get a quote, or find us online at AMAInsurance.ca/Auto

TRAVEL CONFIDENTLY WITH AMA TRAVEL.

We’ll handle all the details.

We’ll give you great travel advice.

We’ll take care of you before, during, and after your trip.

We’ll save you money.

Together, we’ve got this.

TRAFALGAR

AUSTRALIAN HIGHLIGHTS

13 days | Year-round departures

From $9,670 (tour only)

Includes: 12 nights hotel accommodation, internal flights, travel director and guided sightseeing with local experts, and 18 meals.

Visits: Melbourne | Uluru (Ayers Rock) | Kata Tjuta | Cairns | Great Barrier Reef | Sydney

AMA Member Benefit: Save $100 per person on trips 7 days or longer.

Member Amenity: $80 optional experience voucher valid on select tours.

OUR TRAVEL EXPERTS HAVE WORLDS OF EXPERIENCE.

It’s nice to get tips and advice from someone who’s actually been there. Our travel counselors have travelled the world and will use their vast knowledge to help you create an amazing vacation.

INSIGHT VACATIONS

ENCHANTING CANYONLANDS

7 days | February - October 2024 & 2025

From $4,895 (tour only)

Includes: 6 nights premium hotel accommodation, travel director and guided sightseeing with local experts, and 10 meals.

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AMA Member Benefit: Save $100 per person on trips 7 days or longer.

Kelly Dibben Lethbridge

Escorted tours offer a mix of freedom and guidance. They bring like-minded people together to learn about a destination, creating life-long memories and lasting connections. These tours remove much of the hassle of planning a vacation, letting you sit back and enjoy your vacation to your heart’s content.

GLOBUS

HIDDEN TREASURES OF SOUTHERN ITALY

9 days | April - October 2024 departures

From $3,329 (tour only)

Includes: 8 nights accommodation, 12 meals, transportation, expert tour manager, and choice of sightseeing and experiences.

Visits: Naples | Castel del Monte | Bari | Polignano a Mare | Ostuni | Lecce | Otranto | Alberobello | Castellana Grotte | Paestum | Sorrento

Exclusive AMA Member Benefit: Save an additional $100 per person on select 2024 Globus vacations

GOWAY

MAJESTIC MOROCCO

9 days | Year-round departures

From $5,977 (tour only)

Includes: Private roundtrip transfers, 8 nights in deluxe accommodation, private transportation with English speaking driver, private tours and excursions, and 10 meals.

Visits: Casablanca | Rabat | Meknes | Fes | Erfoud | Merzouga | Ouarzazate | Marrakech

AMA ESCORTED CLASSIC JAPAN

10 days | October 17 - 26, 2024

From SINGLE - $8,369

DOUBLE - $6,689 (tour only)

Includes: Arrival & departure group transfers, 3 nights in Tokyo, 2 nights in Hakone, 4 nights in Kyoto, sightseeing & activities throughout, daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 4 dinners, AMA escorted, and more.

Visits: Tokyo | Mount Fuji | Hakone | Kyoto | Hiroshima | Osaka

CAA MEMBER CHOICE VACATIONS

TROPICAL COSTA RICA

9 days | January 2024 - March 2025

From $2,299 (tour only)

Includes: 8 nights accommodation, 14 meals, transportation, expert tour manager, sightseeing, and cultural experiences.

Visits: San Jose | Arenal | Cano Negro | Monteverde Cloud Forest | Guanacaste

Exclusive AMA Member Benefit: Save $100 per person and receive up to $75 credit on a pre-purchased optional excursion on every tour.

Rosetta Giampa Edmonton

What I like about guided tours is that it’s such a seamless way to travel. You’re taken care of from beginning to end, including transportation, accommodations, most meals, and exploring the destinations you’re visiting. The guides have a wealth of knowledge and you learn so much while touring that you wouldn’t necessarily get on your own. You’ll also meet travellers from all over the world and can make connections that last a lifetime!

North America & International Specialists

1.866.667.4777 | AMATravel.ca

Tour Terms & Conditions: All pricing is current at time of printing; all rates are quoted in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated, are per person based on two sharing, and are subject to change and availability at time of booking. Offers are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Rates do not include airfare, taxes, fees, fuel supplements or insurance (unless indicated). Taxes are subject to change. Some restrictions may apply. Professional consulting fees apply to in-person and phone bookings and are not included in the advertised prices.

Marrakech, Morocco

RIVER CRUISE

AMAWATERWAYS

Whether you journey through Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, or Egypt the staff and crew go above and beyond to ensure you have a memorable experience. Enjoy a shore excursion in each port visit, local wine & beer with lunch & dinner onboard, free Wi-fi, and more!

CHRISTMAS MARKETS ON THE RHINE

From $4,805

incl. port charges

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland (or reverse) aboard AmaCerto, AmaLucia, AmaPrima, AmaSiena

7 nights | November - December 2024 & 2025

Based on December 5, 2024, sailing in cat. E, fixed-window stateroom

Port Visits: Amsterdam, The Netherlands (overnight) | Cologne, Germany | Rüdesheim, Germany | Ludwigshafen, Germany | Strasbourg, France | Breisach, Germany

Exclusive AMA Member Benefit: Save $180 per person (included in price)

VIKING CRUISES

Destination-focused and culturally enriching voyages await you. Includes a shore excursion in each port visit, local wine & beer with onboard lunch & dinner, free Wi-Fi, and more.

GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR

From $6,599

incl. port charges

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Budapest, Hungary (or reverse) aboard state-of-the-art Viking Longships

14 nights | March - December 2024 & 2025

Based on November 27, 2024, sailing in cat. E, standard stateroom

Port/City Visits: Kinderdijk, The Netherlands | Cologne, Germany | Koblenz, Germany | Miltenberg, Germany | Würzburg, Germany | Bamberg, Germany | Nuremberg, Germany | Regensburg, Germany | Passau, Germany | Melk, Austria | Vienna, Austria (overnight) | Budapest, Hungary (overnight)

Exclusive AMA Member Benefit: Receive $200 onboard credit per person

AMA EXPERIENCED CRUISE SPECIALISTS.

Our Cruise Specialists work closely with cruise lines, keep up to date on their offers and promotions, and know exactly what to recommend for the trip you’d like — from destination to the ship to the excursions.

Tami Lingrell Sherwood Park

ENTICING DOURO

From $5,568 incl. port charges

Porto, Portugal roundtrip aboard AmaDouro, AmaVida

7 nights | March - November 2024 & 2025

Based on July 6, 2024, sailing in cat. E, fixed-window stateroom

Port Visits: Entre-os-Rios, Portugal | Régua, Portugal | Pinhão, Portugal | Vega de Terrón, Spain | Barca d’Alva, Portugal | Porto, Portugal (overnight)

Exclusive AMA Member Benefit: Save $180 per person (included in price)

CAPITALS OF EASTERN EUROPE

From $7,399

incl. port charges

Vienna, Austria to Bucharest, Romania (or reverse) aboard state-of-the-art Viking Longships

14 nights | March – November 2024 & 2025

Based on October 25, 2024, sailing in cat. F, standard stateroom

Port/City Visits: Vienna, Austria (3 nights) | Bratislava, Slovakia | Budapest, Hungary (overnight) | Mohács, Hungary | Vukovar, Croatia | Ilok, Croatia | Novi Sad, Serbia | Belgrade, Serbia | Donji Milanovac, Serbia | scenic cruising The Iron Gate | Vidin, Bulgaria | Pleven, Bulgaria | Constanta, Romania | Bucharest, Romania (2 hotel nights)

Exclusive AMA Member Benefit: Receive $200 onboard credit per person

What I love most about cruising are the breathtaking beaches with tropical blue waters and snow-capped mountains overlooking local villages. I also love being able to see multiple places and ever changing views, enjoying gourmet foods, and meeting people for all places in life. By river or ocean, cruising lets you hit world highlights (and your bucket list) in each port of call.

CRUISE

OCEAN CRUISE

HOLLAND AMERICA

Set sail with carefully crafted journeys and more than 500 itineraries to select from. Have it all with Holland America Line, and get shore excursions, drink packages, specialty dining, and free Wi-Fi.

PANAMA CANAL

From $2,365 + $799 taxes & fees

Fort Lauderdale, Florida to San Diego, California (or reverse) aboard Zaandam

14 nights | January - March 2024

Based on March 16, 2024, sailing in cat. N, interior stateroom

Port Visits: Cartagena, Colombia | Full transit Panama Canal | Puntarenas, Costa Rica | Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala | Huatulco, Mexico | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Have It All Pricing includes: Signature beverage package, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and $200 shore excursion credit per person

Exclusive AMA Member Benefit: $100 USD onboard credit per person

OCEANIA CRUISES

Aside from elegant staterooms, luxurious spaces, and adventurepacked shore excursions, Oceania Cruises are known for their unmatched cuisines. With a selection of flavours as vast as the destinations you’ll visit and menus developed by world-class chefs, Oceania Cruises really has “The Finest Cuisine at Sea®”.

Candace Paton Medicine Hat

IDYLLIC WEST INDIES

From $6,598 incl. taxes & return air from Edmonton or Calgary

Miami, Florida roundtrip aboard the brand-new Vista

11 nights | February 19, 2025

Sailing in cat. B5, Veranda Stateroom

Port Visits: Gustavia, St. Barts | Castries, St. Lucia | St. George’s, Grenada | Bridgetown, Barbados | Roseau, Dominica | St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda

Includes: simply MORE ™ with free $400 USD shore excursion credit, unlimited Wi-Fi, gourmet specialty dining and champagne, wine, and more

Exclusive AMA Member Benefit: Complimentary pre-paid gratuities and wine tasting

I love cruising! It’s the perfect way to visit numerous destinations in one vacation and you get the chance to wake up in a new place every morning without having to unpack more than once. Cruises offer great value, with first-class accommodation, delicious meal options, and daytime and evening entertainment.

MAJESTIC JAPAN

From $14,691 + $387 taxes & fees

Vancover, BC to Seattle, Washington aboard Westerdam

52 nights | September 2, 2024

Sailing in cat. L, interior stateroom

Port Visits: Juneau, Alaska | Scenic cruising Hubbard

Glacier | Sitka, Alaska | Kodiak, Alaska | Dutch Harbor, Alaska | Kushiro, Japan | Hakodate | Yokohama (overnight) | Kobe (overnight) | Kochi | Hiroshima | Fukuoka | Sakaiminato | Toyama | Kanazawa | Nagasaki | Ishigaki Island | Naha | Scenic cruising Iwo Jima | Scenic cruising Midway Island | Nawiliwili (Kauai), Hawaii | Honolulu, Hawaii (overnight)

Have It All Pricing includes: Signature beverage package, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and $200 shore excursion credit per person

Exclusive AMA Member Benefit: $100 USD onboard credit per person

COURTYARD & COLONNADES

From $7,748 incl. taxes & return air from Edmonton or Calgary

Barcelona, Spain to Athens, Greece aboard Riviera

10 nights | September 11, 2024

Sailing in cat. B3, veranda stateroom

Port Visits: Saint-Tropez, France | Livorno, Italy | Civitavecchia, Italy | Naples, Italy | Messina, Italy | Istanbul, Turkey (overnight) | Bozcaada, Turkey

Includes: simply MORE ™ with free $400 USD shore excursion credit, unlimited Wi-Fi, gourmet specialty dining and champagne, wine, and more

Exclusive AMA Member Benefit: Complimentary pre-paid gratuities and wine tasting

Cruise Specialists

1.866.989.6594 | AMATravel.ca/Cruises

Cruise Terms & Conditions: Fares listed are for cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy (unless otherwise specified) and are subject to availability at time of booking. Discount offers are included in the listed price. Land programs, airfare, taxes, government fees, port charges, gratuities and insurance are not included unless otherwise stated. AMA member benefits are applicable to select sailings and categories. Maximum two onboard credits per stateroom. Offers are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Valid on new bookings only and subject to availability and may not be combined with other offers. Some restrictions may apply. See applicable supplier brochures for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings and special offers. Professional consulting fees apply to in-person and phone bookings and are not included in the advertised prices. Additional terms and conditions apply, see AMA Travel for full details. Holland America Line Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands. Oceania Cruises Ships’ Registry: Marshall Islands.

Science Fare

Filiz Koksel’s innovative research on plant-based meat alternatives addresses the twin challenges of climate change and food insecurity

By Truc Nguyen | Photograph by Thomas Fricke

FILIZ KOKSEL LOVES playing with food. The bubbles in bread dough, puffed snacks and breakfast cereals have occupied her scientific attention for years. “I’m fascinated by how bubbles change their shape and size and, at the end, contribute substantially to the end-product quality.”

But it’s not all fun and games for this TurkishCanadian food scientist, researcher and associate professor at the University of Manitoba. Currently, she’s investigating how extrusion technology, which is used in the manufacture of many processed foods, can be used to make plant protein–enriched snacks, cereals and meat alternatives.

It’s a timely topic. Increasingly, Canadians want to incorporate more plant-based protein into their diets, a shift that’s good for the planet, too. “Plantbased food products have lower carbon and water footprints,” Koksel points out.

Her research team is working on projects related to plant-based meat alternatives and how to add value to industry by-products, such as the spent grain left over from beer-making. One study investigates how extrusion technology can be used to make texturized vegetable proteins to replace, partially, the meat in common foods, such as a burger patty.

Koksel’s next mission: preparing a new generation of food scientists for careers in Canada’s food industry and readying them to meet the challenges of the future. “The next generation of food scientists will make more plant-based alternatives accessible to Canadians, for better health and a better environment,” Koksel says. AMA

We’re celebrating those doing good in their communities—here in Alberta and across the country.

Know someone? Send their story to amainsider@ama.ab.ca and they could be featured in an upcoming issue.

This Is What You’ve Been Waiting For

See the magnificence of China before communism. It’s a journey that will fill you with hope and inspiration—one you’ve longed for.

Discover 5,000 years of wisdom, beauty, and wonder, live on stage.

855-416-1800 | ShenYun.com/Alberta

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