Crowsnest Pass Herald - November 13, 2024

VISIT US AT: crowsnestpassherald.ca CONTACT US AT: passherald@shaw.ca 403.562.2248

Crowsnest Pass

Herald

Vol. 94 No. 43

November 13, 2024 $1.25

Serving our communities since 1930

VOTE EARLY! Advance Poll is on November 19!

Crowsnest Community Hall

(formerly Elks Hall) 2025 129 St, Blairmore

10am — 8pm All eligible voters can vote at Advanced Poll regardless of your voting subdivision.

Authorized by Northback Holdings Corporation

2 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Local athlete competes at Cross Country Provincials

ple I’ve ever met,” he said.

Reflecting on his journey, Vanderplas offered advice for anyone looking to achieve a goal: “You have to challenge yourself first. If you really want something, focus on pushing yourself harder than what you’re able to. A higher placement or faster time doesn’t matter if you don’t go beyond your own limits.”

NICHOLAS L.M. ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter

Local runner’s hard work and resilience earn him a place at Alberta’s top competition For local runner Asher Vanderplas, the journey to the Alberta Cross Country provincials was more than a race—it was a testament to perseverance and dedication. After overcoming a concussion in 2023 that derailed his running season and set him back physically, Vanderplas spent the past year training twice as hard, determined to qualify for provincials and represent his school.

“The journey to qualifying was definitely a challenging part of my life,” said Vanderplas, “I had to balance everything and face tough competition. Coming back from a concussion meant I’d lost a lot of progress, but I put in the work and did my best to get back to where I was.”

Starting cross country in 2022, Vanderplas initially turned to the sport as a way to clear his mind. While the first races presented some hurdles, he quickly found a supportive community and realized his own potential.

“By the time of my first race, I realized how great the community was around it and how naturally good I actually was,” he recalled, “So, I decided to keep going and make it a part of my life.”

In the Intermediate Boys category at provincials, Vanderplas placed 62nd with a net time of 20:49, maintaining an impressive 4:10 per kilometre pace across the muddy, rain-soaked course.

To prepare for provincials, Vanderplas employed a rigorous training method he calls “2 20s,” which combines 200-meter sprints up a hill with 20 reps of three body-weight exercises. This demanding routine, he explained, helped him build the physical and mental strength needed for competing at the highest level.

“Every race I attended, my friends and family were there cheering me on, congratulating me no matter the result,” he said, “They’ve been my biggest supporters throughout my entire journey, and I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere close to where I am now without them.”

Despite the provincials’ challenging conditions, Vanderplas said the atmosphere was up-lifting.

“Instead of everyone being super competitive, we were all joking around and making the most of our time. Everyone there was awesome—some of the best peo-

Contributor photo

Asher Vanderplas, alongside friends and competitors, embraces the challenges of a rain-soaked provincials course, finishing with a strong performance and a time of 20:49 in the Intermediate Boys category.

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The Crowsnest Museum is located in downtown Coleman - 7701 18 Ave, Coleman, AB T0K 0M0 Open Monday to Saturday 10 am - 5 pm CLOSED Sundays

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 3 Frank Slide Template.qxp_Layout 1 2023-01-30 11:44 AM Page 1

Police Briefs

a report of a possibly intoxicated person leaving the Servus Credit Union westbound on Highway 3. Patrols were made, but the vehicle was not located.

False Alarm at Local Residence At 9:50 a.m. on November 9, a residential alarm activated multiple times. Police were notified by the keyholder that there were issues with the system. The alarm was ultimately a false alarm due to technical issues.

DID YOU KNOW

Lion's can't roar until the age of 2.

Mental Health Intervention Between November 4 and 11, the Crowsnest Pass Police Department responded to 36 calls for service, of which four were unfounded. A total of three charges were made during this period.

The calls included three traffic collisions, eight other moving traffic violations, one motor vehicle insurance coverage violation, four other non-moving traffic violations, three 911 Acts, one Trespass Act, three Mental Health Acts, one disturbing the peace, one written traffic offense warning, one victim services offered (declined), one uttering threats against a person, one mischief (damage to property), two mischief (obstruct enjoyment of property), two suspicious persons/vehicles, two false alarms, one item lost/found and one well-being check.

Truck Theft in Sentinel Area At 6:28 a.m. on November 6, a 2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, charcoal-grey and blue in colour, was stolen overnight. The complainant reported that the vehicle contained a half tank of fuel and had the keys inside. The investigation remains ongoing.

Building Demolition Reported in Sentinel Later on November 6, at 8:50 a.m., a property owner in the Sentinel area reported that their building had been torn down. A representative sent to check on the structure found that its braces had been cut. Police are continuing their investigation.

Youth Welfare Check in Lundbreck At 7:30 p.m. on November 6, RCMP received a welfare check request for a youth in Lundbreck.

Officers attended the scene, confirmed no further concerns, and updated the complainant.

Mental Health Apprehension At 10:20 p.m. on November 6, police responded to a 911 call about an unwanted ex-spouse at a residence.

Following a mental health assessment, the subject was transported to the hospital for evaluation. All parties cooperated.

Stolen Trailer Reported at Bellevue Campground On November 7 at 1:38 p.m., Elk Valley RCMP requested a check on a potentially stolen trailer parked at Bellevue Campground. RCMP officers in Crowsnest Pass confirmed the trailer was not stolen.

Concerns for Staff Safety at Vet Clinic At approximately 10:00 p.m. on November 7, staff at the Bellevue Vet Clinic requested police patrols in the area due to safety concerns related to an animal pickup. Police were prepared to respond but reported no further issues.

Credit Union Client Warned Over Inappropriate Comments At 9:00 a.m. on November 8, RCMP responded to a Credit Union call after a client allegedly made threatening comments. Police issued a warning to the individual and completed safety planning with staff.

The individual’s accounts will be closed.

Intoxicated Client Reported at Credit Union Later on November 8, at 1:00 p.m., RCMP received

At 12:22 p.m. on November 9, police responded to reports of a woman experiencing a mental health episode. She was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to the hospital.

Vehicle Stop Results in Multiple Warnings

HWY #3, Frank • 562-8043

At 1:00 p.m. on November 9, RCMP stopped a vehicle found to have no insurance or registration and an unauthorized license plate. The driver was issued a ticket for the lack of insurance and warnings for the other infractions.

Complaint Over Youth’s Cellphone At 6:20 p.m. on November 9, a complaint was received from an individual who was upset their mother refused to return their cellphone. Police informed the complainant this was a civil matter, prompting them to end the call abruptly.

Aggressive Patron at Greenhill Bar At 10:50 p.m. on November 9, police responded to an incident involving an aggressive male at the Greenhill bar. Friends took the man home, and police ensured all intoxicated individuals left the premises.

Stranded Hunters Use iPhone SOS At 6:49 p.m. on November 10, RCMP received a 911 satellite call from a group of hunters stranded after splitting up and misplacing their keys. Police attempted contact with their friends, and the situation resolved itself without further assistance.

Trespassing Incident Leads to Arrest At 8:38 p.m. on November 10, a report of trespassing led RCMP to a commercial property where they encountered a man with outstanding warrants from Lethbridge. He was arrested and taken in for a bail hearing.

Vehicle Collision Near Highway 3 At 9:20 p.m. on November 10, a motorist reported a collision near the Highway 3 and 22 area. Police found road debris and construction cones but could not locate the vehicle involved.

Improper Lane Change Leads to Ticket At 9:40 a.m. on November 11, a driver was ticketed for an improper lane change without signaling.

Additional violations, including driving without a subsisting driver’s licence, led to further charges and warnings.

Neighbour Dispute Involving Gesture At 11:11 a.m. on November 11, police received a report of a neighbour giving an obscene gesture. Police informed the complainant this was not a criminal matter.

Accidental 911 Call from Landline At 4:50 p.m. on November 11, an accidental 911 call from a Blairmore landline led police to confirm no emergency was present.

Highway 3: Stranded Driver At 7:30 p.m. on November 11, police received a call about a vehicle partially blocking Highway 3 after it ran out of fuel. Nearby drivers assisted by providing fuel.

Canadian Army training near Hillcrest Mines Nov. 12, 2024 – Calgary, AB – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Canadian Army Reserve Force personnel will train near Hillcrest Mines, Alta. the weekend of 15 to 17 Nov. 2024. The training will take place in mountainous terrain southwest of the Crowsnest Pass campground. Residents in the area may see Army vehicles and personnel on routes including East Hillcrest Drive, Adanac Road and on nearby trails.

Soldiers from the Lethbridge-based 20th Independent Field Battery unit will conduct training including navigating in wooded and mountainous areas on foot and all-terrain vehicles. No ammunition will be used during the exercise.

Army Reserve soldiers benefit by training at locations outside of Canadian Armed Forces training areas, such as the rugged and unfamiliar area near Hillcrest Mines.

4 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, November 13, 2024

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NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT LAND USE BYLAW No. 1165, 2023

The Development Authority of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass recently approved the following Permitted Development Application(s): • DP2024-176 – 2609 Valley Ridge Road, Frank (Lot(s) 2 Block 3 Plan 0714175) For existing “Accessory Buildings or uses up to 95.2m2” (Shed A - 22.3 m2), (Shed B - 40.15m2), (Treehouse C 11.16 m2), (Horse Shed A - 22.33 m2), (Gazebo E - 12.08 m2) • DP2024-218 – 1602 118 Street, Blairmore (Lot(s) N/A Block N/A Plan N/A) For an existing “Accessory Building or Use up to 72.8 m2” (Shed 7.4m2) and (Garage 35.67m2) (Permitted use) • DP2024-226 – 14861 21 Avenue, Frank (Lot(s) 8-10 Block 29 Plan 3661I) For existing “Accessory Buildings up to 72.8 m2” (Shed 7.44m2) (Shed 3.57m2) • DP2024-237 – 22801 9 Avenue, Hillcrest (Lot(s) 1 Block 28 Plan 1429LK) For an existing “Accessory Building or Use up to 72.8 m2” (Shed 3.4m2) (permitted use) and; For an existing porch addition to a “Single detached Dwelling” (permitted use) • DP2024-240 – 2337 215 Street, Bellevue (Lot(s) 10 Block 13 Plan 6099AQ) For an existing “Accessory Structure” (Raised Deck)” (permitted use) • DP2024-248 – 2670 Valley Ridge Road, Frank (Lot(s) N/A Block 1 Plan 0010584) For an existing “Accessory Building up to 72.8m2” (35.67m2) (permitted use)

• DP2024-320 – 8214 15 Avenue, Coleman (Lot(s) 5 Block 11 Plan 3387AE) For a “Secondary Suite - Detached” – (Discretionary use) Any persons claiming to be adversely affected by the above Discretionary Development Permits or Variances may file an appeal by November 28, 2024, to SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL BOARD (SDAB) through our Municipal online form or to the or the Land and PROPERTY RIGHTS TRIBUNAL, as may be applicable.

Subdivision and Development Appeal Board: Online Form Submission: https://portal.laserfiche.ca/ o8468/forms/Development_Appeal Fee of $400.00 must be paid with the appeal (will be contacted for payment once the form is sent).

Land and Property Rights Tribunal: 1229-91 Street SW Edmonton AB T6X 1E9 Development Officer Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Phone: 403 562-8833 Email: development@crowsnestpass.com

ENFORCEMENT FOCUS TRAFFIC BYLAW – UNREGISTERED/UNINSURED AND ABANDONED VEHICLES Coming in the month of November, Community Peace Officers will be conducting targeted enforcement on abandoned, uninsured and/or unregistered motor vehicles parked on Municipal Roadways (Highways) throughout the Municipality. This will aid snow removal crews in the coming weeks.

Visit https://www.crowsnestpass.com/municipal-government/council/bylaws-listed-alphabetically to view the complete bylaws.

TRAFFIC – CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINTS

The Development Authority of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass recently approved the following Discretionary or Development Application(s) with Variances: • DP2024-109 – 11562 20 Avenue, Blairmore (Lot(s) 4-6 Block 5 Plan 2437BS) For an existing “Accessory Building or Use over 72.8 m2” (Garage 75.81 m2) (discretionary use) For existing “Accessory Buildings or Use up to 72.8 m2” (Carport 24.14m2) (Greenhouse 7.98m2), (Greenhouse 7.98m2), (Raised Deck) (permitted uses) with a 6% variance to the maximum lot coverage for accessory buildings • DP2024-236 – 2914 224 Street, Bellevue (Lot(s) 29-31 Block 15 Plan 7242AI) For an existing “Accessory Building or use up to 72.8 m2” (Shed 23.41m2) and (Raised deck) (permitted use) For an exiting “Single Detached Dwelling” addition and front porch (permitted use) with an 11% variance to the porch front yard setback.

Officers will be focused on Child Safety Restraints and the importance of Safety Restraints for all individuals in a moving motor vehicle.

It is the law in Alberta that a driver must ensure children under the age of 16 are properly restrained. In addition, research has found that child safety seats can reduce the risk of serious and fatal injury by around 60 to 70%. Your child needs to use the most appropriate child safety seat to get the most safety benefit. Learn how to choose what kind of child safety seat your child should be using.

For more information regarding the use of child safety restraints, visit https://www.alberta.ca/child-seats.aspx. A

VOTE OF THE ELECTORS ON A QUESTION The question that will be asked on the ballot is “Do you support the development and operations of the metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain.”

• DP2024-255 – 12930 18 Avenue, Blairmore (Lot(s) 13 & ADVANCED POLL 14 Block 29 Plan 2933AA) Tuesday, November 19, 2024 10:00am – 8:00pm For an existing “Accessory Building up to 72.8 m2” (Shed Blairmore Community Hall (Elks) 10.81m2) (permitted use) 2025 - 129 Street All eligible voters can vote at Advanced Poll regardless of • DP2024-287 – 1809 116 Street, Blairmore (Lot(s) 23 your voting subdivision.

Block 1 Plan 8010276) For existing “Accessory Buildings or Use up to 72.8 m2” ELECTION DAY (Shed A 9.28m2) (Shed B 9.36m2) (permitted use) with a Monday, November 25, 2024 10:00am – 8:00pm 25% variance to the rear yard setback for Shed A and; Eligible Crowsnest Pass voters must vote at their designatFor an existing “Accessory Buildings or Use up to 72.8 ed voti ng stati on on Electi on Day. m2” (Raised Deck) (permitted use)

VOTING STATION - WHO VOTES HERE Coleman Seniors Drop In Centre 7801 18 Avenue, Coleman Who votes: All electors from Coleman.

Blairmore Community Hall (formerly Elks) 2025-129 Street, Blairmore Who votes: All electors from Blairmore and Frank.

MDM Community Centre 2802- 222 Street, Bellevue Who votes: All electors from Bellevue and Hillcrest.

SPECIAL BALLOTS Special ballots are available at the Municipal Office for those that are absent for advanced and voting day or are unable to vote at the stations due to physical incapacity. to apply for special ballot please contact the Municipal Office or barbara.kelly@crowsnestpass.com VOTER ELIGIBILITY Residents of the Crowsnest Pass who meet the criteria in the LAEA Section 47 will be eligible to vote which includes being at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen that resides in Alberta in Crowsnest Pass on voting day. If a person has more than one residence, the rules that govern which one is their place of residence under the act is detailed in section 48.

VOTER IDENTIFICATION The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass does not have a List of Electors, all electors wishing to vote must make a statement that they are eligible to vote. It is an offence to sign a false statement. Electors must also produce valid identification that identifies the Elector and their address.

Board Vacancies The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is looking for applicants to serve on the following Boards & Committees for Terms commencing January 2025. � Crowsnest Pass Seniors Housing Board � Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee The Board & Committee Application Form and the applicable Bylaw or Terms of Reference for each Board & Committee are available at the Municipal Office, or online at www.crowsnestpass.com.

Applications may be returned to the attention of Bonnie Kawasaki by: Mail: Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, PO Box 600, Crowsnest Pass, AB T0K 0E0 Email: bonnie.kawasaki@crowsnestpass.com In Person: 8502 – 19 Ave., Coleman, AB The Municipality does not retain applications. If you are interested in volunteering, please resubmit your application.

8502 - 19 Avenue, Coleman Box 600, Crowsnest Pass, AB, T0K 0E0 ph: 403-562-8833 e: reception@crowsnestpass.com www.crowsnestpass.com After Hours Public Works Emergencies: 403-562-2021

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 5

Hunting season safety from Crowsnest Pass RCMP

• Be Prepared for Emergencies. Carry a first aid kit, a fully charged phone, or a communication device and always inform someone of your hunting location.

“A safe and well-thought out trip into the backcountry is one that can be repeated. “ For more safety tips, follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and on X @RCMPAlberta.

CPL. MARK AMATTO Crowsnest Pass RCMP

Crowsnest Pass RCMP share outdoor safety guidelines for Alberta’s hunting season As hunting season is now in full swing across Alberta, it’s important that hunters keep safety and security top of mind. Following strict safety measures not only ensures a safe hunting season, but also ensures the safety of other outdoor enthusiasts who share these natural spaces.

Your Crowsnest Pass RCMP provide the following safety tips to help make this hunting season safe, responsible, and enjoyable for those exploring Alberta’s great outdoors: • Whether in transit or in the field, all firearms should be secured at all times.

• Inspect and check your hunting equipment before heading out to make sure it is in safe working order.

• Store firearms in a locked case or secure them with a trigger lock when not in use.

• Ensuring that your firearm is unloaded when not in use and during transportation.

• Never leave firearms unattended in vehicles or public places, even momentarily.

• Properly secure them to avoid any risk of theft or misuse.

• Avoid high-traffic areas and clearly marked trails where non-hunters may also be enjoying the outdoors.

• Wear bright or high-visibility clothing, ideally in orange or another standout colour, to ensure you’re visible to others.

• Checking that you have the necessary licenses, tags, and permits.

• Respecting any designated zones and protected wildlife areas.

• Follow all hunting season start and end dates as set by local authorities.

• Ensuring that your firearm is unloaded when not in use and during transportation.

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6 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Herald Editorial LISA SYGUTEK Crowsnest Pass, a region steeped in coal mining history, finds itself at the centre of an ironic and increasingly divisive debate. On November 19, country singer Corb Lund, a vocal opponent of coal mining, will be performing at the Polish Hall in Coleman, an iconic venue built by Polish coal miners who came to the area over a century ago. The irony is almost palpable: a man who has made it clear he does not want any more coal mines in the region is now standing on the very stage built by the sweat and toil of those who worked in those mines.

The Polish Hall is a monument to the history of coal mining in Crowsnest Pass. It was erected by coal miners, many of whom were Polish immigrants, who laboured underground to build the community that exists today. To imagine their legacy being repurposed as a platform for an anti-coal message feels like a betrayal of everything they worked for. Given that my Polish ancestors, the Sygutek family from Coleman, were part of it, I feel quite certain they would share my disgust. I feel these miners wouldn’t have imagined their work to be used as a vehicle for opposing the very industry that sustained them and their families.

In addition to the oddity of Corb Lund’s performance, the broader political landscape in Crowsnest Pass is becoming more complicated, particularly with the involvement of Dave Thomas, a former Fernie councillor who now resides in the region. Thomas, along with his group Crowsnest Headwaters, has been petitioning municipalities in surrounding areas Pincher Creek, Fort Macleod, MD of Ranchlands and Lethbridge to adopt resolutions challenging the recent referendum held by Crowsnest Pass municipal council. The referendum asked residents whether they supported the development of a new coal mine in the area.

It’s critical to understand that the referendum is non-binding, meaning it is simply a way for the council to gauge public opinion, not a legal action that could force any government to approve a mine. Yet, Thomas has taken it upon himself to petition other councils to “challenge” this vote. But what exactly does he want to challenge? A non-binding vote is not a mandate, it’s a tool to inform future decisions. No government, municipal, provincial, or federal, can be compelled to allow a coal mine based on this vote alone.

Further complicating matters, Thomas recently made a statement at a meeting in Fort Macleod, claiming that he was “apologizing on behalf of the Crowsnest Pass citizens” for the council’s decision to hold the referendum. This is where his actions cross into troubling territory. Thomas is neither a councillor nor a representative of the people of Crowsnest Pass. Who gave him the authority to speak on behalf of the residents of this community? His self-appointed role as spokesperson is not only presumptuous but deeply out of touch with the reality of Crowsnest Pass, where many residents still see mining as part of their heritage and livelihood.

If Thomas wants to represent the people, perhaps he should run for council and let the voters decide if he’s the voice they want. Until then, his attempts to apologize for the community’s decisions are not only embarrassing but completely unacceptable. He has no right to speak for the people of Crowsnest Pass, and his actions only serve to alienate the very community he claims to represent.

The residents of Crowsnest Pass deserve the right to decide their own future. If they choose to explore mining again, it is their decision, not Corb Lund’s, not Dave Thomas’s, not Crowsnest Headwaters and certainly not anyone else’s from outside the community.

The people of Crowsnest Pass are not asking for apologies, they are asking for respect and the opportunity to voice their opinions, on their own terms. The irony here is clear: the past may have been built on coal, but today’s future belongs to those who live here.

Herald “Letters to the Editor” Policy

Policy: The Pass Herald welcomes Letters to the Editor that examine issues, but reserves the right to edit for length, libel and syntax. Writers must sign letters and include first and last names, address and telephone number. Address and telephone numbers will not be published. Only in exceptional cases will the Pass Herald withhold the name of the writer and in those cases the writer must disclose his/her name, address and telephone number to the Editor.

Electronic email will be considered an electronic signature. Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinion of the Pass Herald. Letters cannot exceed 600 words. We have limited space, but we do enjoy printing ever­y article. So please, to allow everyone to express their opinion, keep the letters short and to the point. We do have the right to refuse any letter that in our judgement may contain libel or libellous opinions. Should a litigation result from your letter, you as the writer are responsible but so is this newspaper as the publisher.

Reclamation of Grassy Mountain KEN ALLRED Crowsnest Pass In response to the article entitled ‘Crowsnest Pass launches vote on Coal Extraction’ in the November 6 issue, I feel compelled to respond to some of the comments by the Crowsnest Conservation Society.

Firstly, as I understand Northback’s plans, they will be addressing all of the concerns set out in the 2021 AER decision. Any coal mining development will also be subject to provincial and federal regulatory requirements regarding selenium, water use and discharge into downstream watercourses. As a result of problems associated with selenium in the Elk River, monumental pro-

We are a coal town KORAL LAZZAROTTO Crowsnest Pass Growing up in the Crowsnest Pass, I’ve always known that coal is a big part of our history. For generations, mining shaped our little towns. It helped build our schools, our roads and our businesses. As part of four generations of coal mining in our community, I am very proud of that history. But as times changed, coal mining faded away here, and now we are left searching for something to help rejuvenate us.

The Grassy Mountain coal mine gives us that chance.

A few years back, a proposal went to the Alberta Energy Regulator to reopen coal mining at Grassy Mountain.

Some people worry, thinking coal is just a dirty, old-fashioned industry. But the way coal is mined has changed a lot over the years. With new technology, it allows us to mine and process coal more responsibly, with less impact on the land.

Grassy Mountain isn’t just about mining coal. It’s also about cleaning up what has been left behind. Anyone who has walked through the area can see it isn’t the beautiful,

gress has been made in avoiding and treating selenium runoff from waste rock. Northback is proposing several methods to reduce or eliminate any selenium discharge.

With regard to West Slope cutthroat trout, no discharge of water is proposed to enter into Gold Creek and I understand there are very few, if any, cutthroat in Blairmore Creek.

With the continuing demand for steel-making coal, prices continue to rise and it has been determined that the metallurgical coal on Grassy Mountain is of the highest grade. The economic development from this mine is vital to the future economy of the Crowsnest Pass and will also be a boon to provincial and federal coffers.

Personally, my biggest concern is with regard to the reclamation of the abandoned coal workings on Grassy Mountain. They are currently an environmental and dangerous eyesore on an otherwise pristine landscape.

Only by redevelopment and the subsequent reclamation will this mountain area ever be habitable for wildlife or of any value for human recreation.

untouched wilderness as some say. The land shows all the signs of the old mining days, overgrown brush and very little wildlife. Opening Grassy Mountain would mean we could start restoring the land, turning it back into something better and more useful.

I’ve heard critics talk about the environmental risks of the mine. I’m concerned about the water and dust too, but there are ways to mitigate those risks. Sparwood benefits from jobs and so should we. There’s a letter circulating in the community of Sparwood from Mayor David Wilks, where he talks about how great their water is, how they manage the dust and how their community is protected from selenium.

Mayor Wilks says Sparwood has a great quality of life mostly because of mining. The mine brings their residents jobs and prosperity. Why shouldn’t we get those same benefits right here in Crowsnest Pass?

Instead of watching people leave town each week for work (either to the Elk Valley or Northern Alberta), we could welcome those jobs back and keep our families closer to home. Opening Grassy Mountain would mean that young residents might stay in town, knowing they could build a future right here. It would give our children a reason to stay and help the Crowsnest Pass grow.

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Cont’d on page 7

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Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 7

Nick’s Notes Upcoming Coal Vote Over the past several months, coal has been an almost ever-present topic in our coverage at the Crowsnest Pass Herald. For many residents, coal represents more than just a resource; it’s a point of local pride, a piece of family history and a livelihood that has helped sustain the Pass for generations. But for others, the prospect of coal development raises red flags about sustainability, health, and the long-term impact on our environment.

The Crowsnest Conservation Society is one of the groups to take a formal stand on this issue, raising concerns about potential environmental impacts, such as risks to water quality and wildlife habitats, which they argue are vital for the community’s overall health and future. In contrast, companies like Northback are working to showcase the potential economic benefits that coal development could bring to the region.

They’re not alone in this—many local residents who have long-standing ties to mining see coal as a pathway to revitalizing the area. These residents argue that with modern regulations and responsible practices, it’s possible to harness the economic potential of coal while also safeguarding the environment. They believe that coal can be part of a balanced approach to securing the future prosperity of Crowsnest Pass.

Adding yet another layer to this ongoing discussion, a local vote on support for coal is set for November 25. This vote is a significant moment, providing residents with a direct opportunity to voice their stance on coal development in our area. While the outcome won’t be binding, it will give council and stakeholders a clearer view of where the community stands. This vote is expected to bring out strong opinions from both sides, with conservationists likely urging a ‘no’ to coal support, while pro-coal advocates see this as a chance to reinforce their vision for economic growth.

For my part, I’ll continue to cover every update with a commitment to sharing all sides of the issue, helping to keep you informed on each development as it happens. Whether you see coal as the key to a brighter economic future or as a risky venture that jeopardizes our natural resources, this conversation is about more than just economics or regulations. It’s about determining what kind of legacy is left for Crowsnest Pass and the generations to come.

We are a coal town cont’d from page 6 Some believe tourism could be our answer, but I do not believe we can rely on that alone. Tourism is a great part of our community, but it’s seasonal and does not provide the steady jobs we need to keep our community strong. A mine like Grassy Mountain offers reliable work and income that could support local families year-round.

For those of us who support Grassy Mountain, it isn’t just another project, it’s a chance to honour our town’s roots, clean up the old mining site, and bring back the industry that built our towns in the first place. This mine could keep the Crowsnest Pass strong for years to come.

I believe it is the right direction for our community, and I hope others will see it the same way.

More Letters to the Editor on page 10

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IRONSTONE 56

COWLEY

Beautiful, freshly painted bungalow at Ironstone Lookout . Main floor laundry. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms on the main level with additional two bedrooms and bathroom on lower level. Vaulted ceilings and open floor plan, with nice integration of all the living areas. Fine woodwork and luxurious counter tops upstairs and down. $444,000 CALL JOHN MLS

COMMERCIAL

BLAIRMORE LOT

Discover the charm of this historic property located in downtown Coleman. Exceptional rock and brick craftsmanship, well preserved with impeccable straight lines. Property showcases the rich history of the area. Offers a main floor adorned with high ceilings, towering windows that flood the space with natural light, and captivating wood floors. Front, side, and back access.

Opportunity to be a part of Coleman’s legacy. Upper floor, has own access with residential use. Two land titles. $450,000 CALL JOHN MLS Back lane access.

SOLD

COLEMAN

Very clean, new paint, flooring, and bathroom upgrades. Functional basement can accommodate more development. Electrical service recently upgraded.

Large double car garage. Very sunny location with opportunity for solar power or a garden. Quiet location. $355,000.

CALL JOHN MLS

SOLD

Great 2 bedroom weekend or retirement property. Nice quiet location with big yard.

BELLEVUE FLY SHOP High traffic prime commercial business in Crowsnest Pass, along busy Highway 3. This fully serviced property and the adjacent lot, also for sale, has East and West bound traffic access. Located on first approach to Crowsnest Pass. Currently occupied as a successful Fly-Fishing shop,

Beautifully converted former church in Cowley. Currently operated as a Bed and Breakfast. 2 bedrooms up and one bedroom down. 2 bathrooms, open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, with large windows and a well crafted door with authentic barn door hinges. The property is surrounded by wide open prairie sky and breathtaking views of the Livingstone Range. $324,900 CALL JOHN MLS

Rare opportunity to acquire a level lot in Blairmore which may be suitable for a modular home. This lot is close to the municipal services. Lot is 39’ x 115’ with back lane access. Close to medical services and shopping. Beautiful walking trail just outside the front door.

Crowsnest River nearby. $119,000 CALL JOHN MLS

SOLD

LUNDBRECK

Lundbreck, with attached double car garage. Situated on a very large, double lot.

Fully fenced, with exceptional landscape and garden. There is a second detached smaller garage perfect for a workshop. Great highway access west to Crowsnest Pass and Fernie, and east to Lethbridge and Calgary. $359,000 Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in CALL JOHN MLS

BELLEVUE COMMERCIAL

attracting many fly fishermen throughout Canada and the U.S. Present zoning is C1 which allows for many different commercial opportunities. 435,000 CALL JOHN MLS

COLEMAN

Older manufactured home nicely transformed into a charming bun-

galow circa 1985, as per municipal assessment on record. There is a very nice addition, also drywall and newer windows throughout. Very recent modern updates to the kitchen and bathroom. Excellent flooring throughout. Three spacious bedrooms. Open floor plan with comfortable dining and living areas. There is also a storage room and lots of space to park an RV. $259,000 CALL JOHN MLS

Very affordable, modern building on main street Bellevue.

Recently rezoned to multiple residential zoning, can now be converted to apartments. Large lot adjacent to the building, allows for additional development on this property. There is also a shop area with a 10’ door at the rear. The street in front of the building, including pavement and underground

services, are being revitalized this summer. Spectacular mountain views in very active community. $459,000 CALL JOHN MLS

COLEMAN LAND promising piece of development land.

Close to services.

Several subdivision possibilities.

Subject to municipal approval, this piece of land could see multiple uses.

This listing involves multiple parcels of land in West Coleman. $450,000

14.5 acres of land in Coleman, Crowsnest Pass. Excellent opportunity to acquire a CALL JOHN MLS

Top 1% of more than 19,000 Royal LePage realtors coast to coast.

8 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, November 13, 2024

John Kinnear (CCHS ceremony photos) and Lisa Sygutek (Bellevue Legion) photos

Wednesday, November 13, 2023 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 9

John Kinnear photos

10 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, November 13, 2024 not talking about burning coal for power plants. We’re affected by this project and have yet to prove they are.

Don’t let outsiders The Pass was built on coal mining, and we’re proud helping build infrastructure.

Steel is something the world can’t do without, and of it. We have a history and identity rooted in coal. we have a chance to bring that industry back, but the demand is only going up. There’s no alternative decide - vote YES for Now with strict, responsible, modern practices that protect to metallurgical coal for making steel, and if we don’t our air and water. Grassy Mountain isn’t some new, produce it here, it will come from countries with far Grassy Mountain untested project – it’s a restart of an old mine site that fewer environmental protections, even ones who use

TROY AND CARMEN LINDERMAN Crowsnest Pass We’re tired of hearing people from Calgary or Lethbridge tell us what’s best for Crowsnest Pass. This isn’t their vote – it’s ours.

Word is going around that Corb Lund is coming to the Pass next week to tell us how to vote. Corb might sing about the land, but he doesn’t live here. He doesn’t know what it’s like to struggle to find good-paying jobs, to see our young people travel to B.C. to work every week, or to watch local businesses close because they don’t have the base to support them.

It’s easy to criticize from a distance, but we’re the ones who call this place home, and we’re the ones who’ll be left picking up the pieces if we turn our backs on Grassy Mountain. Down stream opponents aren’t

Better days ahead for Rural Health Care, minister says GEORGE LEE Macleod Gazette - LJI Health-care understaffing, limited access to services and reduced emergency department hours — they’re features of rural life that Albertans should not be forced to endure, the health minister acknowledged Oct. 7.

But Adriana LaGrange said her government is on the case through health-care delivery restructuring and a strategic document called Rural Health Care Action Plan 2024-2027. The plan is dedicated to locally tailored solutions to problems in rural and remote areas of Alberta, LaGrange told The Macleod Gazette and other rural media.

The plan will guide the government’s efforts to close the gap between services rural Albertans receive and those provided in urban centres and their surrounding communities, said LaGrange, the member

was abandoned decades ago. All we’re asking for is the chance to mine it responsibly, create good jobs, and reclaim the land once the mining is done.

We don’t need people with no stake in our community dictating what we can and can’t do. Voting “Yes” in advance on November 19 or on voting day on November 25 means voting to bring back good jobs that sustain families and will keep our kids and grandkids here. We’re talking about electricians, mechanics, engineers, and truck drivers, not to mention the many spin-off jobs that will spring up in shops, restaurants, and local businesses. We need this kind of economic boost, and we need it now.

If we say “No” we’re saying “No” to our own future. We would be saying “No” to revitalizing our economy and creating a real reason for our young people to stay.

And let’s get one thing straight: this is about metallurgical coal – it’s essential for making steel. We’re

child labour.

We’re global leaders in responsible resource extraction here in Alberta, and that’s something we should take pride in. If we need to mine it, let’s mine it here, where it’s done safely and ethically.

Some claim a coal mine will hurt tourism. But that’s nonsense. Right now, Grassy Mountain is just an abandoned site – private property that nobody’s using. It’s not some untouched wilderness, and it needs cleaning up. This project will actually help build infrastructure that will support tour-ism in the long run. Our roads and services will improve, making it more inviting for visitors while supporting the people who live here.

It’s time for us to make our voices heard. The Pass belongs to us, not to critics who don’t get it and don’t even live here.

Voting “Yes” means standing up for good jobs, a strong economy, and a balanced approach to industry and environment.

for Red Deer-North.

“It should not matter where you live,” LaGrange said. “All Albertans should have access to the healthcare services that they require and deserve. That’s why Alberta’s government is exploring innovative solutions to provide rural and remote communities the best care possible, when and where people need it the most.”

Sarah Hoffman, the NDP’s health critic, has no issues with the plan itself. It’s the UCP’s record on health care that should make Albertans wary, she said.

“The words on the paper are good words and make good sense, but I don’t think we can trust (Premier) Danielle Smith and Adriana LaGrange to deliver on them,” Hoffman told The Gazette.

Last year emergency departments were closed for more than 38,000 hours in Alberta, published reports say. Most of that happened in rural Alberta, Hoffman said. Also, the province has been disingenuous in its negotiations with doctors over the rates they can charge, resulting in some choosing to leave the province.

And the division of Alberta Health into four pillars is a misdirection of public health-care dollars, she added.

Smith and LaGrange “have been undermining public health care and rural health care since they both have been in these jobs,” said Hoffman, the member for Edmonton-Glenora.

“They’ve been working on (health-care reform) for a year, and I don’t think they’ve been moving the pendulum in the right direction.”

LaGrange highlighted three programs she says demonstrate that UCP’s commitment to solutions.

Bursary spending worth $16-million will go to qualified medical students in return for threeyear commitments to practice in rural or remote communities.

Doctors who start their careers beyond the bright lights tend to learn what smaller communities have to offer and then stay, La-

Grange said.

New grant programs in rural and remote communities will put $800,000 towards first-responder services and $600,000 towards first-responder education.

“We are bringing together the crucial components needed to improve health care for all Albertans and provide opportunities for future physicians and other critical health-care workers to live and work closer to home,” said LaGrange.

The rural plan focuses on the health-care workforce, patient access, unique models of care and solutions, community care, and prevention and wellness.

Outcomes it envisions are: • equitable access • a rural health-care approach that’s durable, sustainable, modern, cost-effective and nimble — “able to evolve and adapt” • engaged communities contributing to decision-making to help address their unique needs • a focus that supports health promotion and prevention, providing conditions “towards healthy living in local settings.”

About 18 per cent of the province’s population — nearly 900,000 people — live in remote or rural communities, or large rural centres and their surrounding areas, the health-care plan says. For people born in 2023, life expectancies are lower than elsewhere in Alberta.

Generally, the closer you live to an urban centre, the longer your life expectancy. The 2023 number is 75.1 years for remote areas, 78.1 for rural areas, and 78.2 for large rural centres and their surrounding areas.

In communities with “a moderate urban influence,” life expectancy is 79.6 years. Metro-influenced areas are the sweet spots for life expectancy, at 81.9.

The numbers drop slightly for metro areas to 81.5 years and for urban areas to 79.6, but they’re still higher than those of rural and remote areas.

LaGrange told the roundtable that the plan was “greatly influenced” by consultations with Albertans about their health-care needs.

The province held more than 65 in-person consultations, most of them in rural or remote areas. Another 35 consultations were geared for Indigenous Albertans. About 10,000 people attended telephone town halls and 18,000 replied to surveys.

“The one thing that was very clear was that there are some significant challenges in our rural, remote locations. The strategies that have been used to date, while somewhat effective, haven’t been as effective as they could or should be,” said LaGrange.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 11

Improving the lives of Indigenous persons across Alberta NICHOLAS L.M. ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter

Private member’s bill introduced today aims to make life better for Indigenous Albertans, sponsor says A bill introduced earlier today in the legislature would give truth and reconciliation the standing it needs to improve the lives of Indigenous persons across Alberta, its sponsor said.

Brooks Arcand-Paul, the NDP’s Indigenous relations critic, said his private member’s bill creates a framework for consultation, progress and accountability that’s lacking in the ruling UCP’s governance approach.

Citing the child welfare system and drug poisonings as examples of failures, Arcand-Paul said: “I came into this job saying that my whole responsibility here was to make sure that my people stopped dying because of the UCP government’s inaction.”

He continued: “That’s what I hope this legislation will do.”

A lawyer who grew up in the Alexander First Nation near Edmonton, Arcand-Paul called the proposed legislation the first of its kind developed in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous nations. “They were at the helm the entire way,” the shadow minister said.

The Reconciliation Implementation Act would require the provincial executive council to consider reconciliation in all its decisions. The Indigenous relations ministry would have to consult with Indigenous communities to develop and publish a truth and reconciliation action plan. And it would have to publish an annual progress report.

There’s growing acceptance in Canada that forced assimilation and other colonial practices lie at the root of socio-economic disparities that persist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals.

Published statistics peg the life expectancy for Indigenous persons in Alberta at 10 to 15 years lower than that of their non-Indigenous counterparts. Indigenous persons are more likely to experience poverty and chronic illness, to die violently or to end up in foster care.

Truth and reconciliation in Canada is tied to 94 calls to action in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which operated from 2008 to 2015 to 3” wide version document the history and BROAD REACH at an AFFORDABLE PRICE impact of the residential school system. The TRC spent six years traversing the country to hear testiwith a combined circulation of mony from survivors and over 650,000 for only... others whose lives were plus GST Ask about the affected by residential Value Ad Network schools.

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and their deadly and abusive history, along with terms like “cultural genocide” and “intergenerational trauma.”

Residential schools were government-funded, church-run institutions designed to assimilate Indigenous children into a European-based culture. Indigenous children were removed from their families and distanced from cultural practices.

They were often barred from speaking their languages. Conditions were harsh and inhumane and sometimes even deadly, with emotional, physical and sexual abuse commonplace.

At least three other provinces or territories have legislation in place connected to truth and reconciliation. British Columbia was the first, in 2019, with legislation aligning the province with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, or UNDRIP. Manitoba has the Path to Reconciliation Act, and the Northwest Territories has the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act. In Nova Scotia, the Truth and Reconciliation Commitment Act was introduced to the legislature in 2016 as a private member’s bill.

A reconciliation status update in 2023 from the Yellowhead Institute classified 81 of the 94 calls to action as unfulfilled in Canada. The Indigenous-led research and education centre checked no calls off the list during its reporting year.

Alberta’s government claims progress on 20 calls to action. But with no reporting structure in place, the government can’t be held to account, said Arcand-Paul, the member for Edmonton-West Henday.

His legislation is necessary because “there’s so much work to be done,” Arcand-Paul said. He pointed to the disproportionate numbers of Indigenous people caught up in systems like child welfare, incarceration and criminal justice.

The Canadian government in 2022 published on its website that the number of Indigenous people in Alberta was just under 260,000 people or 6.5 per cent of the population. Most of them are First Nations or Métis, although there are also Inuit people in the province.

Alberta has 45 First Nations and eight Métis settlements within its borders. The most common languages of First Nations are Blackfoot, Cree, Chipewyan, Dene, Sarcee and Stoney or Nakoda Sioux.

Indigenous languages feature in the Arcand-Paul bill — it requires that the government make available reconciliation documents written in them.

The languages requirement would help bridge a gap between often-remote Indigenous communities and the Alberta government, Arcand-Paul said. The way things are now, Indigenous persons and nations usually feel disconnected from the legislature and its decisions, he said.

The gap is amplified by the province’s routine lack of Indigenous consultation on laws and policies, Arcand-Paul maintained.

In drafting the proposed legislation, Arcand-Paul travelled to Indigenous communities in Alberta, regularly hearing that MLAs and ministers had never before showed up to discuss legislation, treaty relationships and “becoming a better partner in reconciliation.”

Arcand-Paul said he found “overwhelming support” from Indigenous persons “that this legislation was absolutely necessary.”

He called the proposed law “an opportunity for optimism to creep into the legislature, which often doesn’t arrive, particularly for Indigenous people.”

The burden of fulfilling the calls to action too often falls upon individuals, Arcand-Paul said. “But it should be the government that is doing the big, heavy lifting, because there are specific calls to action in the TRC final report that require them and obligate them.”

The law would also represent a melding of Indigenous knowledge and approaches to governance with more colonial ways of doing things.

“One of the benefits of electing Indigenous people that have lived experience in our connections to ceremony and culture is that we can start making these changes and giving Indigenous peoples a voice in this province in really beautiful and creative ways,” said Arcand-Paul.

His proposed law would provide the UCP with a chance to witness the value of Indigenous consultation. “I would love to see the other side recognize the value of including Indigenous leadership in this type of legislation.”

12 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Hockey Update

Graham. Not long after, #10 Colter Michalsky doubled the lead, once again with a setup from Finn Graham. #6 Hudson Bell added a breakaway goal, assisted by #8 Emmett Riewe, before Thunder finished strong with three unassisted goals— two from #3 Hudson Parks and one from #8 Emmett Riewe. Between the pipes, #14 Rory Macdonald had an outstanding performance, keeping Fernie scoreless all night.

U9 Thunder Green Hockey Team Media Coordinators Thunder Green faced off against Fernie 2 Bear on Saturday, November 9, in a hard-fought but closely contested game, ultimately securing a 6-0 victory. The scoring opened with #5 Gus Trotz, who found the net with an assist from #16 Finn

Alberta Government plans to fix Emergency Services BRENT MCKAY St. Albert Gazette - LJI

Plans in the works to address rural EMS crisis, LaGrange says Herald Contributor photo

Thunder U9 Green celebrating a win against Fernie 2.

Alberta’s rural health action plan lays out new provincial programs to address the ongoing crisis in rural emergency medical services (EMS), and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange says more changes can be expected in next year’s budget.

At a media event on Oct. 7, LaGrange said the province is focused on training more paramedics and is looking at introducing more inter-facility transfer (IFT) units in rural areas.

“We are hearing on an ongoing basis that we are not training enough EMS responders, and so that is why we’re targeting this particular area, because we have identified a need in this area,” she said.

The province has introduced two new EMS-related grant programs. Underserved communities can now receive funding to establish medical first responder (MFR) agencies, which can provide preliminary assistance to patients before ambulances arrive on scene.

The emergency medical responder (EMR) community grants fund EMR training in eligible rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

“In the past, sometimes ambulances have been used to transfer people to appointments, etc. We’re looking at making sure that we have the right transportation mode for the right issue, concern, or emergency, to make sure that we’re keeping our ambulances where they’re most needed,” LaGrange said.

Earlier this year, Alberta Health Services contracted two private companies to provide 26 IFT units in Edmonton and 19 in Calgary to transport non-emergent patients between facilities rather than ambulances. LaGrange said it was too early to say whether the same system will be implemented in rural Alberta, and the government is completing an assessment of all “the EMS structures that currently exist” that will inform the 2025 budget.

Alberta’s government allocated $2 million for an independent review of the provincial air ambulance program and a paramedic workforce study to identify “what improvements need to be made to the EMS system to optimize coverage,” a spokesperson for Alberta Health said in an e-mail. Both contracts were awarded to PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Cont’d on page 15

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 13

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14 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, November 13, 2024

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Community Events Listing Sponsored by: Event

Date

Time

Place

Song Writing Contest

Now to Jan. 31

www.crowsnestpass

musicfestival.com

Advanced Poll - Mining

November 19

10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Elks Hall

Double Trouble Bonspiel

November 22 & 23

First Draw 5 pm

Crowsnest Curling Club

November 25

10:00 am 8:00 pm

November 28

9:00 am

Council Chambers

November 28

6:00 pm

Gazebo Park

Mining Vote

Special Budget Meeting Christmas Tree Lighting Event

Various Locations

Contact The Pass Herald if your non-profit organization would like an event listed

passheraldads@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 15

Program to help connect rural seniors with specialists BRETT MCKAY St. Albert Gazette - LJI A novel telerehabilitation program is remotely connecting rural seniors with medical specialists. Researchers behind the project say this virtual clinic-to-clinic model of care is the way forward for rural health, and participants say they are already seeing the benefits.

Before Maggie Barrie moved to the Pine Valley seniors lodge in Hinton, she says she had become increasingly inactive around the house. Not only was it harder to look after the yard, she was starting to feel the consequences of that inactivity in an aching back, trouble sleeping, and reduced mobility.

Barrie admits she was initially reluctant to join in the standing balance exercise program at the lodge. But having tried it, she’s committed. And at 87 years old, many of the health problems that slowed her down in the past are improving.

“It’s just amazing, the balance that I have received, how easy it is to walk, not being afraid to fall,” she said.

The standing balance initiative is one of three programs that have been offered through a partnership between the University of Alberta’s rehabilitation medicine department and The Evergreens Foundation, which runs Pine Valley as well as lodges in Jasper, Edson, and Grande Cache. Using specialized equipment, like telepresence robots that allow specialists to remotely assess patients, physiotherapists can guide lodge residents through exercise routines, eliminating prohibitive cost and travel considerations that would otherwise accompany treatment.

Martin Ferguson-Pell, a professor in the U of A’s Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, has spent years developing applications for telerehabilitation using the clin-

Rural water utilities in ‘poor’ condition in Alberta BRETT MCKAY St. Albert Gazette - LJI There are thousands of kilometres of water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure connecting homes and businesses in rural Alberta. And no matter the type of utility you look at or the region it’s in, you’ll find this essential infrastructure is in poor condition and in need of significant investment, according to a new report from the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA).

RMA’s asset deficit report on water utilities used municipal data and surveys to evaluate the condition, lifespan, and cost of repair of the infrastructure its members manage. These utilities had an average condition rating of 67 per cent, and the portfolios effective age was estimated at just over 50 years, based on an average useful life of about 65 years.

The funding needed to bring this infrastructure up to its most manageable and cost-effective state is $2.96 billion more than rural municipalities currently have access to.

RMA has recently released similar studies of road and bridge conditions in rural Alberta, which identified comparable funding deficits. Unlike the province’s roadways, however, the report states that there are no rerouting or alternative options that can be taken if water infrastructure fails.

Fixing Emergency Services cont’d from page 12 “The reports, which cover all areas of the province and all AHS EMS workforce, are expected to be ready for the minister later this year,” according to LaGrange’s office.

Mike Parker, president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta and a paramedic, said the medical responder grant programs are promising, but questioned what the government stands to gain from commissioning another report on EMS in the province.

“How many plans do we need to go through before we actually start doing something? It’s getting to be a bit much,” Parker said.

Parker noted that the province has already completed several studies in recent years: the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services report (2021), the Alberta EMS Provincial Advisory Committee final report(2022), and the Alberta EMS Dispatch review (2022).

“It’s all out there. They’ve done the work. So, hiding behind another report (to

ic-to-clinic model, with a focus on expanding access in rural areas. Getting the technology into continuing care settings quickly proved to be a good fit.

“We’ve had some significant success in deploying this with a continuing care environment in rural Alberta with The Evergreens Foundation,” said Ferguson-Pell.

“This really helps people who are in supported living, and it’s not easy for them to travel or for them to be able to get the help of their family members to go to appointments as far away as Edmonton and Calgary.”

The team at U of A has previously demonstrated the usefulness of their virtual care approach for assessment of vertigo, long-COVID symptoms, and shoulder injuries. But the evolution from prototypes, to trials, to being a common tool in rural health care is a slow process.

“I’m confident this is the way forward,” Ferguson-Pell said. “And what we really need is to get some momentum so that we can get experience in finding the strengths and weaknesses of various solutions. And the only way we can find those is deploying them in the real world, working with rural communities.”

Rylee Waugh, the health and wellness manager at Evergreens, said there has been an enthusiastic response from residents, and there are about 45 active participants in the four locations that run telerehabilitation sessions.

Though Waugh has a qualified background in fitness and health promotion, she says being able to coordinate with specialists remotely adds a dimension to the program that goes beyond what in-house staff could deliver.

“It brings more opportunity to our seniors at the lodge, because I’m not a physiotherapist. We can connect and still bring these incredible wellness services to our residents. That’s something I would never have been able to do on my own,” Waugh said.

Ferguson-Pell said they have been working on a program over the past year for people who experience urinary incontinence because of pelvic floor weakness. As with the previous rehab and standing balance projects, the pelvic floor exercise program has been well received by lodge residents.

“It totally cured me of any incontinence without having to take pills or whatever else they try to push on to you,” Barrie said.

The leg and core strength gained through the standing balance program also prepared her for the difficult exercises she is now engaged with, Barrie said.

“Because it is a lot more work, but so rewarding.”

“Utilities such as water, electricity, and stormwater are essential services that must remain reliable and operational under all conditions. The failure or underperformance of these critical services can have severe consequences, impacting both daily life and emergency response capabilities,” the report says.

Maxine Fodness, deputy reeve of St. Paul County, said the main issue facing is the aging water distribution and sewer lines in its hamlets.

Distribution lines are the pipes that connect individual homes. In Ashmont, the lines date back to the 1960s. Mallaig and Lottie Lake had distribution lines put in in the 1970s, though in the case of Lottie Lake, the pipe was used pipe from the town of St. Paul, Fodness said.

“So, we’ve brought in water to our little hamlets, and the distribution lines are failing. Or they’re old and they need to be replaced. The province presently doesn’t have any funding for that,” Fodness said.

Without provincial support, the only options for the county would be to increase taxes or take out loans. For Fodness and St. Paul County, this is out of the question.

“If we don’t get any help from the province, we just can’t afford to do it. Because the residents can’t afford to pay for that,” Fodness said.

The utilities surveyed in the RMA report serve about 714,000 people. If these taxpayers had to cover the $2.96 billion infrastructure deficit, it would cost each person $4,150.

The two main sources of funding for infrastructure in rural Alberta are federal Canada Community-Building Fund and the province’s Local Government Funding Framework (LGFF). The amount each municipality receives from LGFF is calculated using a formula where population accounts for 65 per cent of the weighting.

RMA has said this formula disadvantages the sparsely populated but infrastructure dense regions of rural Alberta.

In 2024, rural municipalities will get about $149 million in funding from the LGFF.

Cont’d on page 16 be released) in six months does nothing to support those on the front lines that are giving their all and sacrificing all they have,” Parker said.

Parker said the province needs to focus on retaining the paramedics it has “by improving wages and by giving them safe work conditions.”

“We’re some of the lowest paid in the country now,” he said, and Alberta risks losing new grads to other provinces unless that changes.

Many rural ambulances, “specifically in the northern districts of this province, are running in a Code Red environment non-stop. They don’t have anybody to fill trucks in the entire region,” Parker said. If the province intends to establish a parallel transfer service alongside EMS in those areas, staffing will be a major hurdle.

“We’re barely able to staff the trucks we have. If you’re going to use a model like this, you’re going to have to pull (paramedics) in from somewhere else, because we don’t have the people. And you’re going to take those staff off the front lines, who are holding the system together now, and deploy them as a transfer unit to go three hours out into the rural communities.

“What they need is Advanced Care Paramedics working out there, not an IFT transfer system,” he said.

16 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, November 13, 2024

A ‘Night at the Museum’ Smile Cookies bring Smiles

Nicholas L. M. Allen photo

Contributor photo

Author Kimberly Kocken captivated students and attendees at CNP 40’s Night at the Museum at the Crowsnest Museum on Friday, Nov. 8, 7:00 p.m. Kocken, author of The Ghosts of Lille, shared real ghost stories of the Crowsnest Pass and debuted her latest short story, The Lost Souls of the Frank Slide, inspired by the area’s haunted history. The event, organized by CNP 40 Youth, featured a horror movie screening of The Boogeyman (rated 14A) and required pre-registration.

The health foundation is thrilled to receive the proceeds from the Blairmore Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign - $4,365.00!! Presenting the cheque from Tim Horton’s is Maricel Lim (Assistant Manager), June Datulayta (Manager) and Mark Nelson (branch owner). Gratefully accepting the cheque are foundation members Mary Filipuzzi, Maxine Braun, Shirley Livingston, Mary Lou Riviere and Joni MacFarlane

Rural water cont’d from page 15

council in the weeks ahead.

“This is a report we needed in order to help us just develop a more focused plan and prioritize like upgrades that which will be based specifically on each Hamlet.”

The RMA report notes that many rural municipalities don’t have the resources or systems in place to record the condition of the utility assets, which impacts their ability to make informed decisions about capital projects.

These blind spots in data and inconsistent asset management practices throughout the province “leads to disparities in infrastructure conditions across the province, with some areas receiving adequate attention and resources, while others experience accelerated deterioration and increased risks.”

Christine Wiese, reeve of Westlock County, said that while the main water transmission lines that connect the hamlets to treatment facilities were upgraded in 2019, the state of the pipes in the communities themselves is a bit of a mystery.

“Those (distribution lines) haven’t been touched in years. We’ve hooked the new lines up to the hamlets, but we need to have a study on what exactly is going on underneath for the infrastructure for the water lines,” she said.

Wiese said this study is already underway and the results will be presented to

Water Quality Open House

EVR has made significant progress implementing the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan—a long-term approach to managing water quality in the Elk Valley. Join us for an in-person open house to learn more about the plan and progress to date.

November 26, 2024 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge 1622 7th Avenue, Fernie, BC Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

Visit evr.com/water for more information