At a Glance -September 21, 2023
School Trustee Removed from Her Position
A Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools trustee has been removed from her position following a controversial social media post. Monique LaGrange has published a story to her Instagram account that likened children waving the Pride flag to children waving the flag of Nazi Germany which sparked immediate calls for her termination.
The Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association published a release on September 7th indicating that their board voted to remove LaGrange from her position. “Removing a representative from our board is not a decision we take lightly, and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is invited to select a replacement Director to represent them.”
“Given the manner in which the previous Director’s post has the potential to undermine the charitable learning environment offered by Alberta’s Catholic school system, we consider this to be the most appropriate response.”
First Nations Declare Emergency
In northern Alberta, five First Nations have declared a state of emergency in response to an ongoing mental health and addictions crisis. Represented by the Athabasca Tribal Council, the Chiefs report that there have been 60 community deaths as a result of overdose and suicide this year. ATC represents Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation and Fort McKay First Nation.
"We owe it to our communities to take action, to make them feel safe and strong…we owe it to ourselves to make a future we thrive in and not suffer daily.” – Chief Allan Adam
"All we're asking for is for some fairness so we can support and look after our people while we go through this crisis.” - Chief Vern Janvier added.
Alberta Post-Secondaries See Provincial Investment
The provincial government is investing $27.3 million over the next four years in an effort to accelerate research in Alberta’s post-secondary institutions. Both the Universities of Alberta and Calgary will be the benefactors of the investment being made through the Major Innovation Fund. The institutions will also partner with other post-secondaries in this initiative.
Minister of Technology and Innovation Nate Glubish spoke to the investment, saying “Alberta’s post-secondary institutions have delivered world-class research in many fields including artificial intelligence, health care, energy, agriculture, and so much more. I am excited for this investment of $27.3 million to build upon that strong foundation of research, innovation and technology commercialization.”
The investment is intended to target research in the areas of medical devices, electronic and mobile health, clean energy, and space and defence technologies.
Premier Going to Dubai in November
Later this year, Premier Danielle Smith will travel to Dubai to participate in the COP28 climate conference. Speaking at the Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association conference this week, she indicated both herself and Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz will for Alberta’s delegation to the United Arab Emirates. “Together we will prove the doubters and the naysayers wrong. Alberta will not be left behind by the global energy transition.”
In conjunction with this announcement, Premier Smith indicated that she hopes to have a new provincial grant program for carbon capture, usage, and storage in place before the conference begins on November 30th. COP28 is an international climate change conference organized by the United Nations.
Edmonton Shelter Closing at End of Lease
On September 30th, Boyle Street Community Services will be closing the doors of its downtown location. The shelter located next to Rogers Place is in the process of constructing a new centre on 101 street and 107A avenue; however, the facility will take around one year to build. The organization currently holds a $1 per month lease in its current building. The organization has said “our main focus remains on ensuring that we’re able to provide services in the city after October 1.”
The Oilers Entertainment Group is the landowner of the property and did offer to extend the lease at the current rate. BSCS declined the extension as “it’s not financially viable for our organization at this time.” Tim Shipton from OEG indicated that the organization will remain supportive of the shelter. “We remain supportive of Boyle Street Community Services and their plans to move into the King Thunderbird Centre, which will provide them with a long-term, sustainable facility to deliver their services — and we will continue to work with them on their relocation plans.”