Phillips elected Reeve

Hillside Lodge Remembrance Day

By Ruven Rajoo

At the organizational meeting of the county of Two Hills held Nov. Division 2 councillor Murray Phillips was elected reeve. Former Reeve Don Gulayec was elected deputy reeve.

First elected as councillor in 2017, Phillips served on various committees including Sports Activity Council, Agricultural Service Board and several other organizations. The father of three brings a new dimension to municipal politics and is the former deputy reeve.

The Phillips family are wellknown farmers and community leaders in the Beauvallon area. The Phillips family was awarded the “BMO Farm Family Award” Nov. 10. See Face to Face in-depth interview with Reeve Phillips in our next Christmas edition.

Hillside Lodge - Two Hills had a small intimate beautiful Remembrance Day ceremony November 10. Thank you to everyone who attended and took part.

(L-R) Dale Thomspon, Pastor Ted Lantz, Frank Wiebe (resident), Pat Ewanishan and Mayor of Two Hills Leonard Ewanishan.

Earlierthis week, Alberta’s government announced the recipients of an additional $16 million in capital maintenance and renewal (CMR) funding to invest in government-owned affordable housing units. I am very pleased to share that Eagle Hill Foundation, located in Two Hills, is one of the recipients, receiving $250,000. I will continue to advocate for housing affordability for everyone in our constituency, and every Albertan.

Our government is also providing $10 million to food banks and community organizations across the province so Albertans can access the food they need. $3.7 million is going to food banks this month (of this funding, $900,000 has already been provided to Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta to administer food security grants, and to shelters to provide food for those experiencing homelessness). Additionally, a $4.1 million Food Security grant call will open in November. A further $2.2 million will be provided to Food Banks Alberta to develop a program to support communities during emergency needs and events. For more details on these programs, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/ food-security.

My friend and colleague, Grande Prairie MLA Nolan Dyck has introduced Private Members’ Bill 203, the Foreign Credential Advisory Committee Act, to create a more streamlined and efficient credential advisory system. I know that easier and faster credentials recognition is a priority for many in our community. In my role as Parliamentary Secretary for Settlement Services and Ukrainian Evacuees, I have also had many discussions with newcomers who have shared their inability to find employment suiting their skills and training due to delays in the credentials recognition process. This bill will help streamline this process so new Albertans are able to support themselves and contribute to the overall economy using their skills.

Our government is refocusing the health care system to improve health outcomes for Albertans and empower health care works to deliv- er quality care across the province. Engaging with health care workers and listening to the input of patients, families and caregivers remains a top priority for our government.

(L-R) Mike Tarkowski, EHF CAO and General Manager - Hillside Lodge Krystal Rayner, Chair Elroy Yakemchuk, General Manager Eagle Hill Lodge Annalee Laderoute, Donna Rudolf, Minister Jason Nixon, MLA Jackie Amstrong - Homeniuk, Sebastien Dutrisac and Vice Chair Dianne Saskiw.

To date, over 8,000 doctors, nurses, health care professionals and Albertans have participated in the initial round of engagement sessions. We have now made available an online survey for all Albertans, and I encourage everyone to provide your feedback. To take the survey, and for more information, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/shape-theway.

Please contact my constituency office at fortsaskatchewan.vegreville@ assembly.ab.ca if you have any questions or concerns.

Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville