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Vol. 38 No. 9 May 21, 2015 Email: [email protected] Ph: 780-868-9221 or 780-446-3088
Melvin Jones Fellow Award (above) being
presented to Terry Cossey, secretary (left), by
President, Ross Cossey (right) of the Chipman
Lions Club.
Story and photos submitted - Lions International presented
Terry Cossey with the Melvin Jones Fellow award for the
Chipman Lions Clubs generous contribution.
Lions International recognizes outstanding individuals
by bestowing on them an award that is named for its
founder, Melvin Jones. This Fellowship Award (LCIF) is
the highest form of recognition and embodies humanitar-
ian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lion-
ism. The recipient of this award becomes a model be-
cause of the exemplary service to his club and the com-
munity for which it serves.
Lions Clubs International with the support of Clubs
like The Chipman Lions Club have helped to restore sight
to 7.7 million people through cataract surgeries; prevent-
ed serious vision loss for more than 30 million; provided
over 271 million treatments for river blindness; built or
expanded 660 eye care hospitals and clinics; and trained
681,000 eye care specialists and eye health workers.
Terry is the secretary of the Chipman Lions Club.
Lions Club’s Highest Honour Bestowed on
Chipman Lions Club Member
Page 2 Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015
- by Sylvia Holowach Three representatives from Accurate
Assessment Group Ltd. (AAG), Lamont County’s new
property assessors, appeared before Council at the April
14, 2015 meeting.
AAG commenced their PowerPoint presentation with
an introduction to the company which was founded in
1997, has a staff of over 45, and specializes in Municipal
Property Assessment and Geographic Information Solu-
tions. A company spokesman reviewed the Municipal
Government Act (MGA) legislation and explained the
strategy AAG is using to ensure all properties within the
county are assessed over four years for completion by
2017.
Municipal assessors are responsible for assessing prop-
erties according to the property’s actual use; Residential,
Non-Residential, Farmland and Industrial Machinery and
Equipment.
AAG indicated they started their property assessment
process in Ranges 19 and 20, on the west side of the coun-
ty, and completed assessment of all properties in 2014
and will work eastward until assessment of all properties
in the county is complete.
AAG suggested “Ranges 19 and 20 saw large changes
in assessment in 2014” with an example being given in
that if; “You can have 160 acres, but if you rent out your
land you are no longer considered a farmer and all your
buildings, including your house, garage, shops and other
structures on the yard will be assessed and taxed. Farm-
land, on the other hand, is not assessed primarily on mar-
ket value because its productive value is also consid-
ered”. AAG explained the 2014 assessments in Ranges 19
and 20 were based on status changes as well as market
value increases.
AGG’s comparison slide of 2013 assessment and 2014
assessment totals read as follows:
Residential – (2013 - $380,613,770) (2014 - $426,316,100) a
difference of $45,702,330 or 112%
Non-Residential – (2013 - $6,597,340) (2014 - $46,959,390)
a difference of $40,362,050 or 712%
Industrial – (2013 - $205,325,550) (2014 - 416,952,420) a
difference of $211,626,870 or 203%
Linear – (2013 - $304,975,290) (2014 - $336,586,690) a
difference of $31,611,400 or 110%
Farmland – (2013 - $95,700,310) (2014 - $95,494,170) a
difference of -$206,140 or 100%
Exempt – (2013 - $80,221,550) (2014 - $82,508,340) a differ-
ence of $2,286,790 or 103%
Grand Total – (2013 - $1,073,433,810) (2014 -
$1,404,817,110) a difference of $331,383,300 or 131%
Although AAG did not stipulate all 2014 assessment
value changes were directly related to properties in
Ranges 19 and 20, they did indicate some property own-
ers on the west side of the county could see assessment
increases ranging from 10% to 48%.
Moving forward, AAG intends to continue status veri-
fication in the 2015 inspection area, physically monitor oil
and gas assets, verify well site equipment and facility sta-
tus, re-inspect 100% of all existing industrial parcels and
inspect 100% of new well sites and facilities.
In closing, AAG stated they intend to have an open
house allowing ratepayers the opportunity to ask ques-
tions and discuss any issues they may have regarding
their property assessments.
When Councillor Bryks asked when AAG planned to
hold the open house, AAG indicated they had not yet set
a date but could make themselves available at the County
Open House in St. Michael on June 10th, if Council so
desired. AAG assured Council they would notify them
once a date and location was set for their open house and
asked if Council felt advertising it would be helpful.
After some discussion, Council believed it was best that
AAG advertise their open house once a date and venue
was chosen. Councillor Warawa asked “why there was
such a change in the west end”. AAG indicated that
numerous properties had not been assessed correctly in
the past and market values had increased. Discussions
ended with Councillor Malica commenting “there will
probably be a lot of appeals”.
Lamont County Property Assessments Could be Rising
Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015 Page 3
- by Sylvia Holowach County Council concluded the 2015 capital and
operating budget process during their May 5, 2015 Council meeting
with the operations budget showing revenues of $25,290,856 and
expenditures of $25,240,856 for a surplus of $50,000 (this amount
is less the budgeted amortization amount of $1,860,651) and the
proposed capital budget showing revenues and expenditures
in the amounts of $11,894,748 each.
However, property tax notices could not be processed until Council
passed Bylaw 749.15; A Bylaw To Authorize The Rates Of Taxation To
Be Levied Against Assessable Property Within The Municipality Of
Lamont County For The 2015 Taxation Year.
There was a 0% increase in the 2015 municipal mill rates
because Council chose to keep mill rates at 2014 levels for
Residential, Non-Residential and Farm Assessment Classifications.
Mill rates related to the 2015 requisitions were adjusted in order to
produce enough levies to cover the total requisition amounts.
The Bylaw, as contained in the meeting package, indicated the
estimated municipal expenditures and transfers set out in the budget
for 2015 totaled $37,135,604; while the estimated municipal
revenues and transfers from all sources other than taxation were
estimated at $15,441,903. The balance of $21,743,701 was to be
raised by general municipal taxation.
2015 Requisitions were listed as:
Alberta School Foundation Fund (ASFF)
Residential/Farm Land 1,188,903.72
Non-Residential 1,569,496.00
Opted Out School Boards
Residential/Farm Land 12,686.62
Non-Residential 0.00
Total School Requisitions 2,771,086.34
Requisition Allowance MGA(359)(2) 0.00
Seniors Foundation 317,929.00
Solid Waste Commission 252, 510.68
Each year; Council is required to levy, on the assessed value of all
property, tax rates sufficient to meet the estimated expenditures and
requisitions. Council is also authorized to classify assessed property
and establish different rates of taxation to each class of property sub-
ject to the Municipal Government Act (MGA), Chapter M-26, Revised
Statutes of Alberta 2000.
The assessed value of all property in the municipality as shown on
the assessment roll is:
Residential 426,316,100
Non-Residential 695,787,160
Farm Land 95,555,530
Machinery and Equipment 122,370,210
Total 1,340,029,000
Therefore, under the authority of the MGA, Lamont County Council
enacted and authorized the following rates of taxation to be levied:
Farmland properties:
Alberta School Foundation Fund 2.3025
Municipal 12.4663
County of Lamont Foundation 0.2373
Solid Waste Commission 0.1885
Total 15.1946
Residential properties:
Alberta School Foundation Fund 2.3205
Municipal 3.2351
County of Lamont Foundation 0.2373
Solid Waste Commission 0.1885
Total 5.9814
Commercial (other than Residential Properties except Machinery
and Equipment):
Alberta School Foundation Fund 2.2557
Municipal 19.3453
County of Lamont Foundation 0.2373
Solid Waste Foundation 0.1885
Total 22.0268
Machinery and Equipment:
Municipal 19.3453
County of Lamont Foundation 0.237
Solid Waste Commission 0.1885
Total 19.7711
All properties assessed a levy of less than $50.00 will be assessed a
minimum tax rate of $50.00.
Penalties for unpaid property taxes were set at 10% on all current
taxes remaining unpaid after June 30, 2015 and an additional 10% on
all taxes remaining unpaid after December 31, 2015.
Council unanimously accepted the budget and the Bylaw without
hesitation.
2015 County Budget Finalized With 0% Increase in Municipal Mill Rate
Page 4 Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015
“Eeny, meeny, miny, moe”… … How high could our property assessments go?
Property tax notices should be mailed soon and with a 0%
increase in mill rates, our taxes should be the same as last
year - or should they?
In 2014, county assessors completed an assessment of
properties in Ranges 19 and 20. Therefore, some property
owners may see a noticeable change in their 2015 tax notice.
As a property owner in Range 20, and realizing my
assessment may be affected, I decided to familiarize myself
with the taxation process just a bit.
The Municipal Government Act defines property assessa-
ble for taxation as a parcel of land, an improvement, and a
parcel of land and the improvements on it. (Improvements
are homes, buildings, structures and attachments on the
land.)
Assessment is the process of placing an assessed dollar
value on properties for taxation purposes.
Taxation is the process of applying a tax rate to an
assessed value in order to determine property taxes.
A tax rate is the percentage of assessed value at which
each property is taxed. Some municipalities express this in
mills, or mill rate. Property tax is calculated by multiplying
the assessed value of the property by the mill rate and then
dividing by 1,000. For example, a property assessed at
50,000, located in a municipality with a mill rate of 20 mills,
would have a tax bill of $1,000.
Property taxes go up when the property assessment or the
mill rate increase.
Depending on the amount of revenue needed to operate,
a municipality can adjust its mill rate every year. The mill
rate set depends on the assessment base and the amount of
money the municipality needs to generate through property
taxes.
As I was curious to see if my property assessment
changed in 2015; I called the county office the morning of
May 19th only to learn the information couldn’t be released
until May 28th and the computer systems were down so my
file couldn’t be accessed anyway.
With the response I got from the office and Reeve Wol-
danski’s recent public statement, “The reason some proper-
ties are seeing such an increase is partly because some prop-
erties weren’t assessed correctly in the past and partly
because the land values in the Industrial Heartland have
increased,” I wonder what those of us within the Heartland
may find in our tax notice envelopes.
If our properties weren’t assessed correctly in the past,
how long was the problem allowed to go on, and, what were
the Reeve, Council and administration doing, as part of their
duties, when one considers they accepted the assessments
without question in the first place.
Now that the error has been found, is there an attempt
being made to recoup some of the losses the county may
have experienced? I certainly hope not because I really don’t
think that’ll be easily accepted or welcomed by those
affected.
Reeve Woldanski, would you care to explain how you
came to the conclusion that land values have increased in the
Industrial Heartland? Those of us living in the Heartland
have been waiting for that Industrial Locomotive you and
your administration told us (Continued on Page 5)
In My Opinion
NEXT ISSUE – June 4 , 2015
Deadline for Submissions: Friday, May 29, 2015
The Elk Island Triangle welcomes your letters to the editor, guest editorials, and news contributions with or without pictures
Please include your name and phone number for contact information Lamont County’s ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED newspaper!
Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015 Page 5
Notice to Advertisers and Readers All property rights, including copyright in advertisements appearing in this issue, shall be vest in and be the property of the Elk Island Triangle. No such advertisement or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior written permission of the Elk Island Triangle.
Corrections Corrections must be made before the second insertion. Allowance will be made for one incorrect insertion.
Acceptability Standards The Elk Island Triangle will not knowingly publish any advertisement that is illegal, misleading or offensive to its readers. The Elk Island Triangle reserves the right to all advertising copy subject to the approval of the publisher. The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred, whether such error is due to negligence or otherwise; and there shall be no liability for non-insertion of any advertisement. The Elk Island Triangle will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any or all material, whether news copy or advertising submitted for publication and do maintain the sole right to exercise discretion in these matters. The opinions expressed in articles printed in the Elk Island Triangle are those of the people quoted and do not necessarily represent the position of the Elk Island Triangle.
Notice to Advertisers The Alberta Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination because of age, sex, marital status, race, creed, colour, nationality, ancestry or place of origin. In compliance with this code, the Elk Island Triangle reserves the right to make the necessary changes in advertising copy.
(Continued from Page 4)
was headed our way almost ten years ago, to get here! It
must have rolled right through, as there’s been little sign of it
stopping here since the Heartland’s implementation and the
restrictions inflicted on us.
Where were the land value comparisons for properties in
Ranges 19 and 20 drawn from? I would hope our properties
weren’t compared with industrial land values from sales in
Strathcona and Sturgeon Counties, because if they were, I
believe that would be highly unfair and utterly ridiculous.
Strathcona and Sturgeon have both been successful in attract-
ing and securing a strong industrial tax base warranting a
rise in land values.
Lamont County, on the other hand, has had numerous
opportunities to initiate an industrial tax base, but for one
reason or another, interested industrial developments left
and chose to develop elsewhere, clearly indicating the county
has failed miserably at attracting and securing industrial
development.
An admission of assessment errors made in the past is, in
my opinion, too little too late and water under the bridge. It
is an indication however, that those we trusted to collect our
tax dollars fairly and appropriately failed us.
The implication our land values have increased, without
explanation of how this conclusion was reached or examples
of comparisons used leaves me to question if those of us in
Ranges 19 and 20 may now be burdened with higher proper-
ty taxes due mainly to the way we’re zoned.
So, “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe”…. how long can the appeal
lineup grow?
- Sylvia
Page 6 Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015
- Submitted Fort Air Partnership’s Air Quality Health In-
dex statistics for 2014 show air quality in and around Al-
berta’s Industrial Heartland was within air quality stand-
ards the vast majority of the time. Data used to calculate
the Air Quality Health Index is collected at four of FAP’s
eight continuous air monitoring stations.
FAP immediately alerts the Government of Alberta
whenever an air quality standard is exceeded. They then
determine what the environmental and health impacts
may be. However, there are general government estab-
lished guidelines for the public regarding how to react to
various levels of risk.
AQHI ratings in the high risk category in 2014 were
caused by forest fire smoke or winter temperature inver-
sions. There was only one hour of very high risk in 2014.
This occurred at the Fort Saskatchewan station during a
November 13 temperature inversion event.
There were 12 days in 2014 (3.2% for the year) where
the 24-hour air quality objective for fine particular matter
(PM2.5) was exceeded. That same year, the one hour objec-
tive for PM2.5 was exceeded 13 times out of a possible 8760
hours in a year. Some sources of particulate matter, like
industrial emissions, stay fairly constant year round.
Home heating, roaring fireplaces and idling vehicles in
the winter, and forest fires in the summer, contribute to
higher levels of PM2.5
Alberta Environment is implementing a plan this year
to reduce particulate matter in the region through regula-
tion, education and awareness. Fort Air Partnership is
supporting this by monitoring and reporting on PM2.5
levels against new Canadian standards.
Local daily and forecast Air Quality Health Index lev-
els are posted continuously on FAP’s website. “It’s im-
portant to us and the public that the air quality data we
collect is as transparent and available as possible,” ex-
plained FAP Executive Director Nadine Blaney. She not-
ed the public also has direct access to near real time hour-
ly readings from FAP’s eight continuous monitoring sta-
tions.
*NOTE: Charts and maps of air monitoring stations are
available on the website at: www.fortair.org
Statistics Show Air Quality in Local Region Good Vast Majority of the Time
Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015 Page 7
What are my chances of getting breast cancer? One in eight Albertan women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. The main risk factors for breast cancer are: • Being female (men can develop breast cancer too, but it is rare) More than 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are 50 years or older • Having a mother, sister, or a daughter diagnosed with breast cancer increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer. However, 80% of women who develop breast cancer have no family history • Previous diagnosis of breast cancer
Breast Screening Life Plan If you’re younger than 40: • Get to know how your breasts look and feel • See your doctor regularly for a periodic health exam
If you’re 40-49: • Talk to your health care provider about your breast cancer risk and the risks and benefits of screening mammograms • Get an annual physical breast exam from your health care provider • Check your breasts regularly for unusual changes
If you’re 50-74: • Get regular screening mammograms at least every two years • Get a physical breast exam from your health care provider regularly • Check your breasts regularly for unusual changes
If you’re 75 or older: • Talk to your health care provider about continuing mammogram • Get an annual physical breast exam from your health care provider • Check your breasts regularly for unusual changes
Why should I get a screening mammogram? A screening mammogram is a special X-ray of your breast. Once you’re over 50, it is the most effective way to find breast cancer early. Screen-
ing mammograms can detect breast cancer when it is very small, two to three years before you or your physician can feel it. The earlier breast cancer is found the more effective treatment can be.
Screen Test is a mammography service within Alberta Health Ser-vices. Screen Test provides screening mammograms at two permanent clinics, one in Edmonton and one in Calgary. Screen Test has two mo-bile screening trailers that provide services to women in approximate-ly 100 communities in rural Alberta. Screen Test provides high quality screening mammography and breast health education, and has con-sistently exceeded international standards for the early detection of breast cancer.
Is it time for your mammogram? Screen Test will be in Lamont on May 26 - 28, 2015
Call 1-800-667-0604 (toll free) today for your appointment
PARTICIPATE IN BREAST CANCER SCREENING!
Page 8 Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21 2015
Webb’s Introduces Their New Husqvarna Line
Since their grand opening in
2012, Webb’s Machinery has seen
a great deal of change at their new
store in Lamont. And now,
Webb’s Machinery is pleased to
announce they have recently be-
come a full line dealer for
Husqvarna lawn and garden
equipment. They now carry a
complete line of riding mowers,
push mowers, trimmers, chain-
saws and snow removal equip-
ment for all of your landscaping
needs and for every season. Of
course, Webb’s Machinery is not
only stocking a wide selection of
Husqvarna equipment, they are
also providing service and parts
support for all Husqvarna
products.
Jim Letawsky is the Manager of Construction, Lawn
and Garden and Rentals Department at Webb’s Machin-
ery and is excited about the addition of Husqvarna to
Webb’s product line-up. “It is a very well-built product
that has an excellent reputation with the people who own
it,” says Letawsky. In addition to the new line of lawn
and garden equipment, his department also handles rent-
als of construction equipment such as skid steers and
compact track loaders as well as various attachments,
mini-excavators, grain vacuums, post pounders and
manure spreaders. He and his department staff welcome
you to drop by and see them for all your landscaping and
construction rental needs. They are adding new rental
products regularly, so be sure to let them know if there
something you would like to see added to their fleet of
equipment. Of course, it is all backed up by highly
trained and skilled professionals to meet all of your parts
and service needs.
“The new rental yard and the complete Husqvarna
product line-up have been very welcome additions to our
store in Lamont,” says Miles Mackow, General Manager
of Webb’s Machinery. “We see it as an opportunity to
help meet the needs of everyone in Lamont and the
surrounding communities.
Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015 Page 9
Of course, our main line is
New Holland and our focus
remains on selling and ser-
vicing agricultural equip-
ment, but there is a strong
need for consumer and
rental products and a
strong dealership to sup-
port that equipment. We
have been extremely fortu-
nate to have such strong
support from our custom-
ers and it is a true pleasure
to be a part of Lamont and
the surrounding communi-
ties.” In addition to New
Holland and Husqvarna,
Webb’s Machinery is also a
dealer for many other
equipment lines including
Versatile and Buhler Farm
King, Macdon, Salford,
Seedhawk, Highline, REM
and Renn.
The staff at Webb’s Ma-
chinery is geared up for
spring and is looking for-
ward to seeing you very
soon. Be sure to check out
Webb’s Machinery at
www.webbsmachinery.com
or phone toll free at
1-855-895-2189.
Page 10 Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015
Town of Lamont’s Community Spirit Cleans Up
-by Sylvia Holowach On Saturday, May 9, Town of Lamont
Council, staff and residents made the town shine during
the second annual Town Wide Clean Up event.
Before setting off to clear the litter from their assigned
areas, approximately 80 volunteers kicked off the event
by gathering at the Lamont Recreation Center meeting
room to pick up their supply of garbage bags, gloves and
a complimentary T-shirt.
In addition to the residents, who volunteered and took
on the challenge of cleaning up the town; Mayor Bill
Skinner, Councillor Wayne Field and wife Lorraine,
Councillor Dave Taylor, his wife Michelle and their fami-
ly, Councillor Steven Sharun, Councillor Deb Dunsmore,
CAO Sandra Maschmeyer, Administration, Public Works
and Recreation staff could all be spotted throughout town
with garbage bags in hand.
Once finished, everyone congregated at the meeting
room for a well-deserved rest and tasty lunch. Lunch
was donated by the Lamont Lions Club, prepared by the
Chefs of the Lamont Curling Club and enjoyed by all.
In addition to T-shirts, volunteers received a compli-
mentary water bottle and a chance to win one of several
door prizes generously donated by Price Automotive and
Home Hardware. A monetary donation from Pepsi
helped offset the costs of the event.
Approximately three half ton loads of bagged garbage
and numerous large items, destined for the landfill, were
cleared from areas throughout town.
Town representatives consider the clean-up a huge
success and with an increase from 40 volunteers last year
to 80 this year, feel community spirit is alive and well in
the Town of Lamont. They would like to thank everyone
who participated in making the town look awesome, a
better place to live, work and play for everyone and look
forward to seeing everyone at next year’s clean-up.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Vegreville & Two Hills Mounties Step Up Enforcement During Road Safety Week - Submitted Vegreville, Alberta - May 12th to 18th marked Canada Road Safety Week, as Vegreville & Two Hills Mounties stepped up their efforts to make Alberta's roads safer for everyone. The main focus during Road Safety Week was on aggressive driving, speeding, seatbelts, as well as distracted and impaired driving. Two Hills and Vegreville RCMP members teamed up with Alberta Sheriffs, Commer-cial Vehicle Enforcement as well as Fish and Wildlife officers, to conduct operations and check stops throughout the detachment area. Over 80 charges were laid which varied from drug possession, unlawful possession of liquor in a motor vehicle, traffic tickets, as well as 24 hour and 72 hour driving suspensions including vehicle seizures being handed out for drug and alcohol usage. Cst. Curtis Harsulla of the Vegreville RCMP traffic services unit
says, “Although the numbers indicate we were busy in those areas, it was promising to see that during our time on the road there were no criminally impaired over .08 driving charges laid. We hope that the education and enforcement campaigns are responsible for motorists making the wise decisions not to drink and drive while impaired." Of the many operations conducted, one in particular was conduct-ed south of Andrew, Alberta on Sunday May 17, 2015, where in under 2 hours over 5 vehicles were towed for various reasons, and many charges laid and driving suspensions issued. Between the 4 Mounties and 2 Sheriffs, numerous vehicles were checked and many of the motorists were pleased to see our efforts to keep Alberta's roads safe this long weekend. It is believed that these efforts assisted in preventing any major collisions in the area which are unfortunately common during long weekends.
Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015 Page 11
County Council Supports Bike Safety Training Day
During the April 14 regular Council meeting, Council was
presented with a request for decision from Lamont County
Peace Officer, Steve Crosby asking for Council’s support in
the amount of $500 for the Bruderheim Bike Safety Training
Day activities.
Crosby explained the event is open to all children in
Lamont County aged six to twelve years and participants
would be taking part in classroom education before moving
on to practical bike safety training. With assistance of the
parents, bikes will be checked to ensure they are safe to ride
and helmets will be checked for proper fit, etc.
Fifteen children participated last year and Crosby felt the
training was very helpful to many of them because it
appeared several had little to no bike safety education. “If
even one child avoids an accident because of the education given
during the event; it is well worth it” stated Crosby.
Last year one bicycle was given away to help promote the
event. With a donation of $500 Crosby was hopeful two
bikes, a boy’s and a girl’s could be offered this year.
RCMP, Alberta Transportation, Lamont County Enforce-
ment Services, the Town of Bruderheim and community
volunteers will all be involved in the event which will be
held in Bruderheim on June 20, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
With all Council members in agreement, Councillor
Malica made the motion to donate $500 to the Bruderheim
Bike Safety Training Day.
Page 12 Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015
Government of Canada assists in creating new jobs for youth in Vegreville – Wainwright
Mannville, AB (May 14, 2015) Students in Vegreville
– Wainwright will have access to summer jobs to help
them gain valuable skills and work experience, today
announced Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for
Vegreville – Wainwright, on behalf of the Honourable
Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social
Development.
Sixty-nine organizations in the riding are receiving a
total of $424,197 in Canada Summer Jobs funding to hire
107 young Canadians. Canada Summer Jobs helps
students gain the skills and experience they need to be
successful, now and in the future, while earning money
for the upcoming school year. In 2015, the Canada
Summer Jobs program is expected to create
approximately 35,000 jobs, while helping employers
address skills shortages.
Today’s announcement is one example of what the
Harper Government is doing to help Canadians. To help
hard-working families, the Government is also enhancing
the Universal Child Care Benefit, introducing the Family
Tax Cut and making improvements to the Child Care
Expenses Deduction and the Children’s Fitness Tax
Credit.
Quick facts
- Since 2006-2007, the Youth Employment Strategy has
helped more than 611,000 young people develop skills, to
the benefit of the Canadian economy.
- The Government of Canada is supporting up to 3,000
internships in high-demand fields and up to 1,000 intern-
ships in small and medium-sized businesses.
- The Government of Canada is also encouraging appren-
ticeship and careers in the skilled trades through grants
and tax credits, along with support for training programs.
- The Universal Child Care Benefit would increase from
$100 to $160 per month (totalling up to $1,920 per year)
for children under the age of six, and parents would re-
ceive a new benefit of $60 per month (up to $720 per year)
for each child aged six through 17.
“Assisting employers in creating summer jobs for students
benefits not only youth and employers, but also local economies
across the country. Canada Summer Jobs is yet another excel-
lent example of how our government is assisting employers and
economic growth.”
– Leon Benoit, MP Vegreville – Wainwright
- by Sylvia Holowach A May 11th, 2015 information release
indicated that, for the second time, the Alberta Office of
the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) partici-
pated in a Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN)
Privacy Sweep from May 11-17, 2015.
The GPEN was established in 2010 to foster cross-
border cooperation among privacy authorities. Thirty pri-
vacy enforcement authorities from around the world par-
ticipated in the third annual sweep, an increase from 26 in
2014.
The 2015 sweep involved a coordinated effort, by par-
ticipants, to examine websites and mobile applications
(apps) for issues related to children’s privacy. The theme
was chosen after many privacy enforcement authorities
identified children as a key area of focus given the increas-
ing number of websites and mobile apps targeted at, or
popular among this vulnerable part of the population.
It is known, from previous privacy sweeps, that many
mobile apps and websites collect a great deal of personal
information. As a result, apps and websites geared at
young audiences raise privacy concerns related to the
types of personal information being collected on these
platforms.
As part of the initiative, sweepers assessed whether the
apps and websites examined collected personal infor-
mation from children and if so, whether protective con-
trols exist to limit that collection.
They also assessed whether the websites and apps seek
parental involvement, allow users to be redirected off the
site, make it easy to delete personal information and
whether privacy communications are tailored to the age
group through methods such as simple language, large
print, audio and animation.
During sweep week, participants selected apps, web-
sites, or both that were either targeted at or popular
among children between 12 and 13 years of age. Partici-
pants could choose to focus on locally developed apps/
websites or those from across jurisdictions. They were
able to look specifically at games, social media or educa-
tional websites/apps, or choose to sweep a combination
thereof.
Last year, the OIPC reviewed 21 apps from the private,
public and health sectors in Alberta. In total, 1,211 apps
were examined by privacy enforcement authorities world-
wide.
The goals of the sweep initiative included, increasing
public and business awareness of privacy rights and re-
sponsibilities, identifying concerns that could be ad-
dressed through targeted education, enforcement or both,
enhancing cooperation among privacy enforcement au-
thorities and encouraging compliance with privacy legisla-
tion.
Concerns identified during the sweep may result in
follow-up work such as outreach to organizations and/or
enforcement action.
The results of this year’s sweep will be compiled and
made public this fall.
Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015 Page 13
Global Privacy Sweep Conducted of Apps and Websites Used by Children
Page 14 Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015
Recipe Corner
by
Carol Marko
Between working shifts at the lodge, looking after her
family and fighting the flu, Joanne’s been unable to get on
the computer and send us a recipe, so it’s my turn again.
If you have a favourite recipe you’d like to share, mail it
to: Joanne Paltzat, Box 14, St. Michael, AB T0B 4B0 or
send it by email to: [email protected]
Cheese and Herb Potato Fans
Ingredients:
8 medium potatoes
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons each minced fresh chives, sage and
thyme
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°. With a sharp knife, cut each
potato into 1/8” slices, leaving slices attached at the
bottom; fan potatoes slightly and place in a greased
9” x 13” baking dish. In a small bowl, mix butter, salt
and pepper; drizzle over potatoes.
Bake 50-55 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
In a small bowl, toss cheeses with herbs; sprinkle
over potatoes. Bake about 5 minutes longer or until
cheese is melted. Yield: 8 servings.
Serve as they are or top with sour cream, bacon
bits or other favourite potato toppings.
Are You Canada’s Smartest Person? The Town of Lamont has been contacted by Tyler
Metcalf, Casting Associate for CBCs hit show, Canada’s
Smartest Person, who is hopeful the Town may have
individuals perfect for their second season of the
prime-time hit television show.
Canada’s Smartest Person is an interactive competition
series challenging preconceived notions about intelligence
that has inspired a nation-wide conversation about what it
means to be smart.
The premiere of Canad a’s Smartest Person in the fall of
2014 proved to be the country’s number one new series of
the season. The introduction of a groundbreaking app
resulted in over 6.6 million page views and over one
million challenges completed making the show an
international as well as a domestic success.
Season 1 featured several incredibly intelligent
individuals from all walks of life; an Olympian, the
youngest surgeon in Atlantic Canada, a firefighter, Chief
Executive Officers, company directors, a stay-at-home
mom, teachers, novelists, a radio host, an artist, grad
students and a cheese salesman. In the end, Peter
Dyakowski, a lineman from the Canadian Football League
and Braden Lauer, a law student from British Columbia
captured the title.
The focus of the CBC series is to show the country there
is more to intelligence than simply being a math whiz, a
(Continued on Page 15)
Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015 Page 15
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Smartest Person - Continued trivia buff or having a high IQ, and as the show heads
into its second season, the casting team is searching for
individuals prepared to put their smarts to the ultimate
test.
The show is guided by a theory of Multiple Intelli-
gence and the idea that there are many different ways in
which a person can be smart. Competitors are tested in
six brain-bending categories; linguistic, physical, mu-
sical, visual, social and logical in order to distinguish the
Canadian with the most comprehensive and versatile
overall intellect. The theory of Multiple Intelligence has
redefined what it means to be smart and only a rare few
are able to excel in all the different categories.
If you feel you are smart enough to accept the
challenge, or know someone you would like to nominate,
you can contact the Town of Lamont administration of-
fice or go to the www.cbc.ca/smartestperson website for
more information. Selected candidates from the applica-
tion phase will be contacted for an interview and further
testing over the months of May and June 2015.
Remember, Canad a’s Smartest Person could be anyone!
Do you or someone you know have what it takes?
Page 16 Elk Island Triangle, Thursday, May 21, 2015