Nov 28th Update - Rural Municipalities of Alberta Fall Convention Highlights from Premier Notley, Environment Minister Phillips, Finance Minister Ceci and Amanda Lindhout

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Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Fall Convention Highlights

Last week Council was up in Edmonton for the RMA Fall Convention.  It is a time when we get together with all 69 rural municipalities across the province to discuss issues and potential solutions.

Premier Notley (@:27)

Discussed how the price differential is costing Albertans $80 million/day.  Announced $1 Billion that is going into petrochemical upgrading.

Shannon Phillips - Minister of Environment and Parks (@1:42)

Announced $200 million from the Carbon Tax over the next 20 years is to be allocated to support locally generated renewable energy projects.

Joe Ceci - Minister of Finance on the 2019 Budget (@2:27)

Shared that the estimated deficit of the 2019 Budget is proposed to be only $8.6 billion and stressed how they still planned on having a balanced budget by 2023.  It is better than the $10.8 billion deficit but sure has a long ways to go to get to balanced.

RMA Member Resolutions (@3:00)

The resolutions session is where the member municipalities are able to put resolutions forward to have the RMA work with and lobby the provincial government on certain items.  There were 24 resolutions this year.  I won't go through all of them but will provide a few highlights below.  I discuss them further in the video above. 

If you would like to see them all and the details of each, you can get them by clicking HERE:

• 3-18F and 4-18F Federal and Provincial Funding of Municipal Broadband Projects (@3:40)
• 8-18F Restricting the Consumption of Cannabis based on Regulations for Liquor Consumption (@5:00) 
• 11-18F Rural Municipalities of Alberta Represents Municipalities on Water Act Approvals (@5:24)
• 24-18F Review of Education Funding Formula (@5:48)

Amanda Lindhout - Keynote Speaker - Journalist Kidnapped in Somalia and held captive for over 460 days WATCH THIS! (@6:24)

Amanda shared her incredibly inspiring story and message for all of us and provided some extremely pertinent and powerful perspective that is important for all of us to hear! 

Be sure to watch this portion of the video above! 

For more information on her story, visit http://amandalindhout.com/.

Nov 14 Update - Sheep River Health Trust events, Rothney Astrophysical Observatory Dark Sky Night, Millarville Water Line update, Square Butte Meeting Update & MRAS

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Sheep River Health Trust (SRHT)

A lot of things are coming up with the SRHT!  For those of you not familiar with the organization, they raise funds for a number of different health initiatives in the Foothills. They do a lot of great things and are a fantastic organization to support.  Here are a few opportunities you have coming up!

1. Pictures with Santa - Start on Saturday, Nov 17 and run on specific days from then until Dec 15th.  To book your time, go to SheepRiverHealthTrust.ca.
2. Points of Light - December is the time of year when we remember those who have made a difference in our lives. Remember or recognize someone special today through Points of Light trees at Oilfields General Hospital and the Okotoks Health & Wellness Center.  To purchase a Point of Light please call our office at 403-995-5400.  (Information from SRHT website).
3. Avenue of Trees - Do you need a new Christmas Tree this year but don't have the time or effort to creating your own?  No problem!  The Avenue of Trees is for you!  Businesses within the community come together to build trees that are auctioned off to the highest bidder to raise funds for the SRHT.  Trees on display at the Okotoks Rec Centre.  Visit, SheepRiverHealthTrust.ca to bid or vote for your favorite tree!

Rothney Astrophysical Observatory - Dark Night, Star Light Open House November 17th 8-11pm (@2:10)

Celebrate dark skies with the RAO and their partners in Conserving the Wilderness of the Dark Sky. Maureen Luchsinger and Laura Griffin will be sharing how the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area is a stellar nocturnal preserve. Roland Deschesne will be sharing his research on the effects of light pollution on songbird populations.

The RAO will be sharing how they are not afraid of the dark and how you can be a part of our dark sky country initiatives.

We are joined by our partners - ...the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Calgary Centre (RASC) - Page. They will have their telescopes setup for observing along with the University of Calgary's research telescopes.

This is an indoor and outdoor event so please dress for the weather.  The entrance fee is $30 per car.
All proceeds go towards RAO educational programming.

Please see their website for details on this event. www.ucalgary.ca/rao

Millarville Water Line update (@3:30)

The contractor is currently completing the rural connections to the line.  Most of the work within the hamlet has been completed.  The MD is still waiting on Alberta Environment for details on the water license transfer.  Once that is in place, the line will be able to be commissioned.

Square Butte Meeting Update (@3:58)

We had a great turnout for the Nov 8th event held at the Square Butte Hall.  Thanks for all of you that made it out.  We had the following present:

• S. Sgt. Dwayne Helgeson - Turner Valley RCMP
• Block Talk Community App Founder Michael Murray
• Sean MacNeil - Wildfire Operations Officer & Kevin Dwyer, Incident Commander for the Champion Lakes Wildfire
• Cody Zebedee - Foothills Fire Department
• Clayton Terletski - Director of the MD's Foothills Emergency Management
• And myself, Division 3 Councillor and Suzanne Oel, Division 4 Councillor and President of the High Country Rural Crime Watch

Watch my website at www.JasonParkerMD31.com and my Facebook page at www.Fb.me/JasonParkerMD31 for future updates on other events we look to host with regards to the FireSmart program.  

Millarville Racing and Ag Society - Christmas Market (@5:56)

This past weekend was the MRAS' annual Christmas Market.  Thanks to all of those that attended and all the vendors that participated!

I hope you had a chance to check it out and see the new arena!  What a beautiful facility that we are so blessed to have.  However, it is not done yet!  The MRAS are still in need of funds to fully complete the project.  If you can, be sure to donate. 

The MD of Foothills is still accepting donations to go towards the project on behalf of the MRAS.  If you are interested in donating, CLICK HERE for the form or call the MRAS directly at 403-931-3411.

Important Message

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This Message is a MUST WATCH!